Venue 33, Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance One,
3rd-24th Aug (not 15, 22), 1.30pm-3.00pm
"A vibrant, stimulating showcase of talent."
SUNDAY 18th AUGUST 2024
Pleasance One, Venue 33
1.30pm-3.00pm
Tickets: £17.50
TODAY'S LINE UP
Down Under: The Songs That Shaped Australia
Music (cabaret, live music)
Multi award-winning live music sensation direct from Australia makes its Edinburgh debut with a celebration of Aussie hit-makers and songs that spurred change throughout history. Australian music is vast and varied. It captures the beauty and brutality of the land with storytelling at the forefront. With powerhouse vocals by acclaimed songstress Michelle Pearson and a incredible five-piece band, this nostalgic homecoming will have you on your feet with classics from INXS, Midnight Oil, ACDC, Tina Arena and more, while reminiscing about Australia's musical history and the artists' guts and determination.
Joe Wells – Daddy Autism
Comedy (stand-up, neurodiversity-led)
Joe and his wife want to have a baby. He's autistic so it's quite likely the baby will be too. That's ok, all he needs to do is solve ableism before it's born. As seen on: Rosie Jones’ Disability Comedy Extravaganza, BBC Two’s Ouch Storytelling Live and Channel 4’s Jokes Only a Neurodivergent Can Tell. 'Some of the most surprising and thought-provoking material coming from any comedian' (Guardian). Over 20 million online views. 'One of my favourite comics' (Frankie Boyle). ***** (NeurodiverseReview.co.uk). **** (Chortle.co.uk).
A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First
Theatre (absurdist, lgbtq+)
Boyhood is all about spit-shakes, rope swings and playing soldiers. But what happens when the pretend becomes all too real and the childhood tales become harder to retell? Whether it’s stories around the campfire, letters home to mom, or a prayer to your favourite president, these two Boy Scouts really just want a turn to play the good guy... Scout's Honour. From consecutive 2022 and 2023 Fringe First Award winners Xhloe and Natasha comes an absurdist two-hander about the idealised American childhood and the boys it left behind.
Identities
Theatre (comedy, new writing)
Happy boobs. Sad boobs. Naughty boobs. Scared boobs... Poorly boobs. From bra fittings to breast cancer diagnosis, Lucy’s boobs tell her story in 60 minutes – the time it takes to perform a standard lumpectomy. Co-created with women who have experience of breast cancer and those who treat them, Identities unclasps the hidden adventures our boobs go on; the good, the bad and the silly. Supported by Culture Warrington and Prevent Breast Cancer. ***** (Opening-Night.org), ***** (AYoungishPerspective.co.uk).
Yes-Ya-Yebo!
Cabaret and Variety (dance, music)
This 'memorable', 'dynamic and vibrant' show fills the stage with 'charisma' and 'boundless energy' as 'natural-born performers' dance to 'an upbeat tune of elation' (Entertainment-Now.com), (BroadwayWorld.com). An all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza celebrating South Africa's 12 official languages, sprinkled with that incredible township vibe. Audiences commented that the talent was infinitely prevalent and the hour was most definitely well spent! A celebration of something much bigger than just a show that will give you a spring in your step when you leave. ***** (Entertainment-Now), ***** (BroadwayWorld.com), **** (MervsPotFringe.com). Winner: Mervyn Stutter's Spirit of the Fringe Award. Nominee: Offies 2023. www.yesyayebo.com
Kanan Gill: What Is This?
Comedy (stand-up, solo show)
What are the ways of being in the world – can you be here now, or are you busy then? In his Fringe debut, India's stand-up star Kanan examines the many ways of being, the very idea of being and the ultimately unsatisfactory nature of experience. With jokes. Yes. This is a comedy show, and if you believe descriptions, it's very, very funny. Following previous special Is This It? (it was), Kanan returns with What Is This? Specials: Yours Sincerely (Netflix), Keep It Real (Amazon Prime). Most Outstanding Show nominee, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024.
Who Do Ya Love?
Musicals and Opera (dance, true-life)
Get your boogie shoes ready for the official KC and the Sunshine Band musical. Featuring eight West End performers and some of the most iconic dance floor fillers of the 70s, this world premiere celebrates the early life of Harry Casey the King of Disco in a feel-good hour of big laughs and infectious music. Featuring over 20 hit tracks including Give It Up, Please Don't Go, Get Down Tonight, Boogie Shoes and That's the Way (I Like It), see the UK's next big disco musical at the very start of its journey!
Mervyn Stutter
Host and Compere
Mervyn has been in the entertainment industry since 1974. He started in theatre where he acted, wrote scripts, songs, and directed for around 14 years. In the 1980s, he became the 'regular topical song bloke' on the BBC TV's first ever daytime show, 'Open Air', fronted by a thin Irishman called Eamonn Holmes. Over the years he has performed weekly topical songs on many TV current affairs programmes and more of the same on radio. In the late 1980s, he took his comedy songs onto the Comedy Circuit and then touring theatres. Merv's first Edinburgh Fringe was in 1986 and he has been every year since. 'Pick of the Fringe' started life as 'Have you seen anything good?', a show to help answer the perennial Fringe-goer question. The title was changed to 'Pick of the Fringe' in 1994 and it he has built it up into one of the must-see Fringe shows.
“Mervyn Stutter is very, very good as compere of this chat show, for to make such a showcase work requires skill, talent and quick reactions. Stutter works the crowd like the showman he is.”
THE OBSERVER