Pleasance Beyond

July 31 – Aug 24

£12.50

8.00pm

Pete Firman is so likeable that he could smile that radiant smile of his whilst sticking a sword through your throat … and he does just that to an unsuspecting member of tonight’s audience. A firm, Fringe favourite (this is his eighth year), tonight’s preview audience has almost packed the Pleasance Beyond to its capacity and small wonder. Throughout his hour-long, crowd-pleasing set, rapid-fire puns and one-liners are dealt out, audience members are picked upon and picked out to participate and of course there is the magic … Firman’s illusions are something to behold.

Widely regarded as a master of close-up magic, his routine tonight covers a range of traditional card and production tricks, but also includes elements of escape, prediction and daredevil stunts such as ‘Middlesbrough Roulette’. (NB – It does what it says on the tin!) It’s all impressively delivered and slick as hell. His charismatic, energetic stage persona seems to be an extension of how you would imagine Firman would present in real life. Funny and undoubtedly talented, he is exactly the type of fella you would want to be sat next to at a wedding. Like you, but not like you. He is a class act. Go see him! FOUR STARS

Reviewer: Gill Monaghan

Pleasance Courtyard

31 Jul; 1-10, 12-25 Aug 2014,

9:30 PM

£8-12

Sarah Kendall made a nice opening with an anecdote about a Dutch lady she met prior to the show, who had been expressing her lack of English language skills with a highly sophisticated English. Then, Sarah started to reminisce about her teenage life, with its moving mixture of emotions and anxiety; from here, we are presented with a series of anecdotes, such as the story of how she ruined her relationship with her friend Abi after a remarkably bonding, but ultimately unsuccessful love experience.

When Sarah began to speak about her mother – in an amazingly witty way, by the way –  I found myself absolutely captivated. This, & all of Sarah’s stories, were interesting and well constructed. She is an excellent storyteller; who engages the audience for the whole show, A definitely enjoyable & rather watch-able performance I recommended to anyone. FOUR STARS

Reviewer – Grace

Pleasance Courtyard

19.00

Aug 1-11, 13-25

£8-£11

Maybe this is my personal opinion, but you can’t go far wrong in a comedy sketch show when playing ‘Happy’ by William Pharrell as the patrons arrive to take their seats…

This four-piece comedy act deliver a slick, passionate, highly inventive sketch show of the weird and wonderful and somewhat bizarre plots ever created during one hour. We meet a talking pony, bears at a graduation, clone scientists, policemen looking for Barney Rubble and magical bakers! They perform a crazy selection of stories that eventually come beautifully together. There is so much energy in this show, I’d even go as far to say they are a bit hyperactive, as they gulped down energy drinks and throw handfuls of coffee granules down their throats between sketches. There’s some low level slap stick, musical moments, delightful daftness and non-stop entertainment. Each member compliments the other with their snappy script and individual characteristics. No wonder they are Chortle Award nominees, stars of Radio 4’s Sketchorama and have had sell-out Edinburgh Fringe shows over the past five years!

These writer-performers John Henry Falle, Adam Blampied, Richard Soames and Guy Kelly are also taking on solo acts throughout the festival. So if you like this, look out for The Beta Males Sessions in Richard And The Story Beast or Adam And Guy both in the Free Fringe. Work out who is really is the master duo behind this clever quartet?!

So get yourselves along to the Pleasance to see this funny high paced showcase, if only for a glimpse of the package behind the Union Jack, for this truly is a magical show, just be careful what you wish for though, or you might find yourself Brown Bread! …And for the record I was indeed ‘Happy’ by the end of the show! FOUR STARS

Reviewer – Sarah Lewis

Gilded Balloon Teviot

20.00

£8.50-£10.50

1-25 August (not 11)

The Fringe Serendipity continues…

The joy of reviewing for The Mumble, Is like being one of Charlies Angels, Divine waiting for the telephone call and the mission of the day. The quality of all the Fringe shows I have seen so far have been of an excellent standard.(And it is nae officially open till tomorrow). Moving me to tears on more than one occasion. Tonights magic phone call was no exception. Celia Pacquola, took to the stage in a packed house. To deliver a performance that blew me out of the water. She was beautiful,Very Very funny and a Psychic. How do I know this?

Well as she interpreted a tale of heart break and loss in the bitter sweet circumstances of a broken heart that had neared a completion of healing. She asked the audience if they thought psychics were bullshit or not. Well, as you can imagine, being genuinely psychic myself. This ruffled my feathers, I had a dillema. Do I bite my tongue or do I offer wisdom and become part of the show. I had business cards in my pocket so I held up a business card. Miss Pacquola looked at me and said. “Why are you holding up a love heart?” I replied “I’m not, its a business card. I’m a Clairvoyant” (The audience erupted with laughter) To which she replied, “What does a Clairvoyant do? I replied ” Clairvoyance is the ability to perceive that which is out of ordinary perception and interpret it in a tangible way!” “Oh my god” she said. “I have never had a Psychic in the audience before. Do you have a show at the Fringe.”No” I replied. “I,m reviewing your show for The Mumble.” Again the audience erupts with laughter.

The rest of the show had us laughing loud, It does have a happy ending she just has nae got to it yet. Tonight was a stepping Stone in the right direction though,

This show will sell out. Get your tickets while you can. Divine rating.4/5. A work in progress. Good Time.

Reviewer – Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert