Well, that’s the Fringe well and truly underway! The brilliant sunshine brought everyone and their Aunty Maude out into town this afternoon; no doubt Whistlebinkies will be packed all night. Oh, I intend to head there sometime after midnight as the Harry Higgs Trio are playing, with a few others no doubt. Last night it was the Louis Crosland Trio on, well, it started like that, then Harry joined in, and the missing Moanin’ Bone from last Sunday was in, so he got up to sing a couple of numbers. It was a fine time for all!

I have been busy enjoying myself, haven’t even written up my own personal Fringe diary, nevermind any blog posts, and I used to be so diligent with my diary. Mind, my two favourite spots to write it got kinda spoilt and then closed for renovation (most likely destroying any ambiance that Teviot had). I haven’t found anywhere else that feels right, yes, I’m fussy, I’ll know the place when I’m in it, okay?! Tomorrow morning isn’t forecast as good and my first show isn’t until early afternoon, so I’ll write more then, promise. For now, the antipodeans….

After not the best start to last year’s Fringe, this year I choose two definitely brilliant shows to buck me up. First off Laser Kiwi – Everybody Knows, I’ve seen Laser Kiwi’s previous two Fringe shows, they have incredible acrobatic skills along with a wonderfully playful, surreal, mischievously deadpan sense of humour. They’re back in the Assembly George Square Gardens in Piccolo, where I saw them for the first time, it’s a venue that really suits them with it’s tinge of other worldly charm (well, that’s how I feel it). Everyone Knows has so much to delight and amaze it’s audience; the bicycle bit was nail-biting stuff, Imogen’s acrobatics are incredible, the charades sketch was howlingly funny, and remember “gotcha nose” as a little kid? (oh, I loved the gotcha nose bit 💛). Loved it all, walked out with the biggest grin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Hmm, turns out this is the third year in a row that I’ve been to John Robertson’s The Dark Room on the first night of Fringe previews, a fine tradition to continue, methinks (well, for as long as he brings it back, but it’s such a success and Robertson clearly enjoys doing it, I don’t see it disappearing off). Most of the audience are returning fans, looking forward to the games ahead. Robertson plays dungeon master with such manic, shouty glee, how does his voice hold out for almost a month? He is magnificent, holding court, yelling, “Ya die, ya die, ya die!” at some poor Darren. Yup, I’ll be back next year ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️