Spotlight’s Edinburgh Festival Round-Up
The Edinburgh Festival came to a close on Sunday after 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows, countless steep hills walked up, and flyers handed out. Supporting the Spotlight members performing in the Fringe this year, our space at Brooke’s bar was a quiet hub away from the hustle, and we held six sessions to keep actors on fresh form for the duration, with voice classes, yoga, and marketing tips. Getting along to as many Spotlight members’ shows as we could, our highlights included Jess Robinson: Impressive, Knightmare Live, Milk, We Live by the Sea, Showstopper!, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again., Starman and The Vaudevillains. Below are a few of our reviews of the shows we saw.
Starman – an enthralling, funny and touching tribute to the late David Bowie performed by Sven Ratzke who took us on a mystical journey through New York City and into space, interspersed with spellbinding performances of some of Bowie’s greatest songs.
The Vaudevillains – Victorian music-hall cabaret at its best. A comical whodunit featuring incredible performances by famous touring theatre group Les Enfants Terribles. Spotlight members, Emma Fraser, Philippa Hogg and Will Arundell were among the cast, providing a highly entertaining show of deceit, dodgy dealings and murder.
Milk – the premiere of Ross Dunmore’s first full-length play, brought to the Traverse Festival as part of their Open Script Submissions window. A story centred on three relationships at different stages of human life, it journeyed through the awkwardness and confusion of a teenage crush, the complex and life-changing experiences of first-time parenthood, and the uncertainty and fear of the ‘what now?’ for a couple in their autumn years.
We Live By the Sea - by Patch of Blue was an absolute stand-out. The play tells the story of Hannah, a teenager with autism who loves the seaside and her imaginary dog. The performances of theatre company Patch of Blue had many of the audience – including us – in tears as the story progressed. The clever use of music, scene changes and effective use of the space showed just how powerful Fringe theatre can be. We came away thinking about how we approach people who are different to us and how we can make everyone feel more included in the world.
Above: One of the sessions held in Pleasance Dome to help performers with the stress of the Fringe. Images by Jamie Drew.
Do you have any ideas for what Spotlight could do to help performers at the Fringe next year? Drop us an email – [email protected]
