Author: bruceonthefringe

Late night ping-pong and other things

bruceonthefringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe Programme, Returning Fringe shows, Sooo fringe Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

I was about to start typing when I buzzed by a bee, a bee very keen to hang around my writing corner. It took almost quarter of an hour of persuasive wafting to get it to leave, and now I’ve completely lost my opening, dammit. Ho hum, it was good, I came up with it whilst walking down the Pleasance towards home. One of the big posters? Don’t think so. Ermmm.

Maybe, this’ll be the year I go see A Young Man Dressed as a Gorilla Dressed as an Old Man Sits Rocking in a Rocking Chair for Fifty-Six Minutes and Then Leaves…16. Yes, this is the sixteenth time so the young man is not quite as young as he was, unless it’s a different young man than the one who started this nonsense, how would we know? Always one performance only, never listed in the same category two years in a row, this year it’s in Spoken Word, hahaha.

Almost a rival? I’ve spotted Stuart Laws as Michael Caine Saying Never for One Hour, it’s when Michael Caine as Alfred the butler says “never” to Batman. It’s listed under Comedy, but if it really is Laws just saying “never” for an hour, well, surely it should be in Spoken Word? Laws has two other shows, one involving puffin murder, yes it’s in my possibilities pile.

And while we’re on the weird stuff, there’s a table tennis tournament happening late-night over two Fridays, two hours each in Monkey Barrel 3. The blurb in the programme calls it iconic and that it features some of the best comedians. Hmm, best comedians doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be any good at table tennis; it will after midnight – just how sober will they be? But also, comedians can be wildly competitive. That’s Ray Badran: King of the Table if watching ping-pong is your thing.

The movies have been used and abused in Fringe shows over the years, this year’s sacrificial lamb is the John Wick franchise. The blurb says that the audience help create the most violent film ever made, so the show could depend on how psycho the crowd are, interesting. I have to admit that while I am aware of John Wick, I don’t recall seeing any of the movies, hmmm; but if you have, the show is Woody Fu: One Man John Wick.

It’s late (I paused for tea, and then a tad longer), just one more, one that I’m really looking forward to! Beetlejuice retold through songs of The Beatles, gets you Beatlesjuice, yay. It’s a WIP by Rob Kemp who previously gave us the ridiculously brilliant The Elvis Dead (along with other non-musical shows that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed). Mind, Kemp looked kinda like a young Bruce Campbell and has a cracking voice for Elvis songs, it’s like The Elvis Dead was just totally meant to be, will Beatlesjuice work as well? I’ll let you know.

G’night, sweet dreams!

A few definite possibilities

bruceonthefringe 2025, Comedy, Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe Programme, Free Fringe, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I remember back when the Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme would come out, early to mid June and folk would rush to get a copy to scour through it picking out their must-sees, ready for when the box office opened about a week later. It was all quite exciting, the anticipation. Nowadays tickets are woozily released from the start of the year, okay so I may take the odd peek, but I still wait on the proper physical paper programme to book tickets (okay, so there’s been the odd rare occasion), I prefer to see everything that’s on before I start to plan.

Only now, there’s also plenty of shows announced after the programme is out. Has it always like this but I just wasn’t aware? Okay, so there was always the odd one here and there (the Sleeping Trees and The Chocolate Factory comes to mind, it was a known late add-on to watch out for!), usually they were free or late night shows, probably thought up over a few drinks and cobbled together! Back in 2007 Rhys Darby was over performing in a play, next thing he’d got a slot in the Pleasance Courtyard Attic and photocopied some handwritten flyers, it wasn’t his best but we didn’t care, it was great seeing him do his thing.

These days, of course, there’s social media to keep an eye on for late announcements, like Lord Christian Brighty‘s of a three night run at the Pleasance Courtyard, yay. There’s always an odd extra show or two that’s not in the paper programme at Monkey Barrel Comedy but I know to actually read their emails just in case; and huzzah, John-Luke Roberts is back in the final week with a WIP.

And extra joys, Aidan Pittman and Hudson Hughes, the co-creators of the bloody brilliant Dr Dolittle Kills a Man (one of my top favourites of last year’s Fringe) are back doing various bits and bobs as part of PBH’s Free Fringe in the middle week. Quick edit here: well, he did announce it late! Will BF is bringing back his sci-fi romp Moon Team IIIV to a late slot at the Underbelly, starting on Tuesday 12th. Considering how many changes he made to it within a month last year, it could be an entirely different show by now! Still bonkers and laugh out loud daft, of course.

But there’s always the odd show in the Fringe programme that doesn’t happen, and sadly it’s not happening for Crybabies: The Scaring, they’ve had to cancel their run due to an unforeseen health issue (wishing a full recovery for whoever it is). However, I just saw on Instagram a couple of days ago that Crybabies have a series of four one-off comedy adventures coming to Radio 4 through August! Excellent news!

Well, it’s very late, way past time I should be asleep. I shall leave you with a picture of my cut-out Comedy possibles. G’night!

A little splash of cabaret

bruceonthefringe 2025, Cabaret and Variety, Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Magic at the Fringe, Music, Puppets, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Time to look through the cut-outs I’ve gathered from Cabaret and Variety before the behemoth that is Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe. There’s only a few, and three of them are for the same chap! Yes, he’s back, the busiest magician on the Fringe.

David Alnwick is performing three shows everyday from Saturday 2nd until Sunday 24th August, no rest days! The first is at the Liquid Room Studio, I love the title Objectively the Best Magician, haha, well he is rather excellent. From there it’s along to the Banshee Labyrinth for Occult Illusionist; he does like a sense of theatre, I suspect there’ll be plenty in this one. From the supernatural to horror (with plenty of dark humour, no doubt), The Dare Witch Project in the Voodoo Rooms. All three are under the PBH’S Free Fringe banner but be warned, there will be queues.

Another magician now, oh, there’s plenty of them at the Fringe, The Great Mysterio has piqued my curiosity. Another with PBH’s Free Fringe down at Uno Mas on Picardy Place (I’ve been in during a previous incarnation of the place). I do like a spot of magic, you know, preferably with humour rather than shiny pizzazz; with a natural lustre rather than a polished gleam.

Of course, shiny pizzazz does have it’s place, especially in cabaret; sparkles and sequins and accordions, darling. Well, one accordion, yes, he’s here again after wow-ing audiences in Australia, New Zealand and Glastonbury, Accordion Ryan is back with his Pop Bangers, yay! This time he’s bringing the joy to Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower. I wonder what this year’s selection of bangers will be, and he was asking for suggestions of Scottish and gaelic songs on Instagram, he does love a challenge (Ryan makes a point of finding songs from the local culture wherever he travels, quite the musical linguist!)

More music of a very different texture in The Ballroom at The Voodoo Rooms. The gloriously charismatic Aidan Sadler presents Moonage Rhapsody, a love letter to Freddie Mercury and David Bowie; Aidan certainly has the pipes for it, I expect nothing short of fabulous. Dammit, how am I meant to shorten my list of possibilities with all these treats before me?! How can I make a decision against going to An Evening with Dame Granny Smith? Yes, I saw her last year, should I pass her up for something new? But it was such a wonderful hour spent with her.

Ho hum, I’d be absolutely crap at choosing my Desert Island Discs. Time is marching on, only ten days to go. Honestly, after tea I’ll get on my Comedy cut-outs. Y’know, it does actually help, talking through my options with you. Thanks for listening. Toodle pip!

A few happy returns to the stage

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I have a table covered with cut-outs from the Comedy section of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival programme, but before that, a few more theatrical musings….

I knew I recognised the name, yup, three years ago I gave him five stars, so I reckon I’ll give Ben Moor: A Three Thing Day a go; I remember he had a wonderful voice that whisked you away into his stories. Henry Naylor is back with a new play, Monstering the Rocketman which sounds interesting; as the name gives away it’s about Elton John, him and that big kerfuffle with The Sun, could be pretty juicy (Naylor does do his research).

Looking back through my Fringe diary (I must remember to buy a new notebook, the last one’s full), it was also 2022 when I saw Space Hippo, an epic sci-fi adventure told in the medium of Japanese shadow puppetry. I notice the company name is different, has the story also had changes made? It was a wonderful experience last time, I am rather tempted, maybe late on, see how things go.

And a few pages later I wrote about Neil Frost: Nan’s House of Fun (omg, this is getting silly, it was also the year I last saw one of Henry Naylor’s plays!) A wonderfully silly, but bittersweet, show that’s morphed into The Door (well, that is the very disturbing Ricky Mouse in the picture). I gave the original 4½ stars, if I only had Hermione’s watch I’d go see Mr Frost again, truly a joy. Mind, he’s here for the whole month so I’ll keep an eye out for him popping up elsewhere, he’s that type, you know!

Those defiant wee bears are back and they’ve brought a bag of tatties with them. Yay, Batisfera are back with two short plays this year; The Gummy Bears’ Great War was one of my highlights from last year’s Fringe (4½ stars), can Tale of a Potato possibly be as good? I’ll let you know, I already have a ticket for this one! I also have my ticket for that great Fringe institution Shakespeare For Breakfast, always entertaining, okay, so some years have been better than others, but I wouldn’t miss it (or the croissant and coffee).

One last happy return, Scaramouche Jones is back, as Thom Tuck said, ten years later (he first performed it twenty years ago and declared that he intends to perform it every ten years, maybe even reaching the clown’s old age if he’s lucky). Scaramouche Jones is a 100 year old clown, born on the stroke of midnight 1899 and now a hundred years later on the eve of a new century, after not speaking in fifty years, the old clown speaks to tell his life story before he dies. Ten years ago I wrote “Thom Tuck at his very best” and gave him five stars.

I’m starting to get a bit excited about this Fringe. Toodle pip!

Starting at the beginning

bruceonthefringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe Programme, Shakespeare, Short run shows, Theatre Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Edinburgh is very, very warm, has been for a while now, it really can’t last much longer. I predict cooler, wetter weather in sixteen days time, certainly lots of sudden, torrential downpours; it’s just too nice now, I know how those weather gods think, lulling us into a false sense of summertime. Anyhoo, time to crack on with some Fringey moose musings.

I have fifty-odd possibles cut-outs from Theatre (only one accidentally cut for my mark-up programme so far! there’s always a few), but as I don’t have Hermione’s watch, many will end up screwed up and tossed aside. I thought I’d be way more back to my old usual this year, but it seems different yet again, my old urgency to create structure just hasn’t turned up this year, it’s mildly unsettling. I have them all in front of me now, challenging me. Okay, who’s first for closer scrutiny?

Pirates Carrying Beans sparked my curiosity, the bumpf bit in the programme just says, “Pirates and coffee. What more is there to say?”, erm, well, as they’ve classed it as New Writing, saying a comedy, a melodrama or an action-packed thriller, might have been helpful (I’m assuming comedy). Only four performances at the start of the Fringe, they’re away before the first week is over, aww, seems a shame, just as the party is really getting underway. I think I’ve just talked Pirates Carrying Beans into definites.

Oo, more pirates early doors, The Comedy of Err-ARRS! and err, the four performances are at four different times, did they book late and have to take the scraps of time that were left?! We’ve seen Shakespeare done many ways at the Edinburgh, this time it’s piratical. Continuing on a Shakespearean theme, there’s a short (and apparently slightly drunken) five date run through the first week of Rattlepole! Improv with live music, hmmm, we’ll see.

Then there’s the first week shows; the occasional one runs into the start of the middle week, possibly a tactic to take advantage of less competition, as many full run shows take that Monday or Tuesday off. There are, of course, new shows starting on the middle Monday, always check the dates of anything you fancy seeing!

I have eleven cut-outs clipped together from Theatre as final week possibles, but that’s a looong way off yet. Will my Fringe Fund last out? Next time, some very welcome returns.

Toodle pip!

The possibilities seem endless

bruceonthefringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe 2025, Edinburgh Fringe Programme, Theatre, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

I did intend to post about all the possibles I’ve cut out of the Theatre section of this year’s Fringe programme. Instead I’ve taken an impromptu roadtrip! Well, you only live once, unless you’re a cat, and it seemed like a good idea, still is, apart from langostines I had for tea (tasty but a very messy affair). I should be back in Auld Reekie by Friday, mainly because there’s a band in at Stramash that I fancy seeing.

So, nothing really to say yet, but I did take this picture of all my theatre possibilities…

There are some groupings in there, lefthandside is the start of the Fringe, righthandside are all the last week of the Fringe, go figure what’s in the middle top! There’s clusters for the big venues. I couldn’t resist putting Pip Utton’s Lear at the bottom right, well, he is quite the last word in Fringe theatre.

Obviously, plenty will be whittled away for one reason or another. Some more may be added to the mix, and I’ve not a proper, thorough go through of Comedy yet!!

Anyhoo, it’s very late and i need my beauty sleep. Sweet dreams!

It’s in 5/4 time, you know

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I’ve come to realise that I first heard Carl perform Roll the Dice in the Auld Hundred last October, I have a vid clip of it, but later couldn’t remember if that was one of his own or a cover, ha. I thought it was, but didn’t want to put it on Instagram and have folk point out that it was actually an old Paul Simon number! There is an air of Graceland about it (as Carl is happy to acknowledge), I’m excusing my cautious lack of surety as a compliment to Carl’s ability to write timeless songs that defy being placed in any particular decade.

Do check it out, Roll the Dice is available on the usual streaming platforms, a few listens and you’ll soon find yourself tapping out bits of the rhythm at random moments of the day (or is that just me?). Carl plays all the instruments and was his own backing choir on the studio recording, everything except the drums, and who better to lay down a jaunty 5/4 rhythm than fellow Logan’s Close member, Gavin Lamont (really, no one!).

There’s an official video too, featuring Carl, his fiancée Klaudia, Piccolo the Dog and a cameo appearance of the Edinburgh Monopoly board and pieces. Our troubadour pops up all around the town looking for his lady, will they ever be on the same space together? A sweet, delightful film that’ll warm your cockles! And you can play identify the places in this montage of Edinburgh spaces. [And if you’re part of an acapella choir visiting Edinburgh this Fringe, why not do an acapella arrangement of Roll the Dice in one, or a few, of the spots? Carl would love that!]

Of course, there’s not been just the single and video released this last week, Mr Marah also started another promotional tour, kicking off in the Voodoo Rooms last Sunday evening, the Ballroom no less! Very nice it was with tables and chairs laid out in a relaxed fashion; we had been warned that there was no support i.e., don’t be late! The Jefferson Airplane classic White Rabbit heralded Carl’s arrival on stage, a fine choice.

For starters we had Siren Song but, oh my, the lad’s gotten into looping! With guitar, keyboards, percussive knick-knacks, this was Marah MkII; this time round the sound is fuller, richer. I really enjoyed his songs the first time round, but wow, to hear them again switched up, it’s great hearing the progression. What will they sound like by the third single tour?! I’m looking forward to that already.

Fourteen songs, including a new work-in-progress, Me, Myself and I, some sweet chord progressions there, I’ll admit I was more engrossed by the music than the words, next time. Carl played 39 without any introduction, a beautiful song, the natural slight melancholy timbre of his voice adds to the poignancy of the lyrics. You’re Always Right was played on the keyboards this time (with added percussive loop); about halfway through it hit me, Lynsey de Paul, mid 1970s, that’s what it now reminded me of! Yeah, okay, you’re probably thinking, who? But for those of a certain age I’ll put up a vid of it on Instagram, I’m sure you’ll get what I mean!

Oo, and Cat’s Eyes, this time around by the end of the guitar break I was like, oh wow, John Martyn, by the end of the song I could almost hear his voice. I mentioned it to Carl afterwards, haha, he understood what I meant; Carl does wear his influences proudly and unashamedly on his sleeve (he knows where he’s come from and has a fair idea where he wants to go). After Cat’s Eyes it was time for the final song, the second single Roll the Dice.

First the build-up of the loop, shaker, tambourine, hand claps (interesting with it being in 5/4 time, did I mention that before?!), drum beat, and to great cheering, triangle (Would any other nation do this? Pure, silly glee at the sight of a lowly triangle?), oh, and backing vocals. While the studio version is great, a live version built up to over an evening, oh my heartses! A wonderful climax to the evening, Marah MkII was a great success! After the crowd had called out for more (we couldn’t just leave at that, we needed to be gently brought back down), Carl obliged with a cover of Squeeze’s Up The Junction.

I do fully intend to catch the show at least one more time, but right now I really need my bed. Goodnight, sweet dreams!

Music to a moose’s ears

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And just like that, June was over, four weeks today it’ll be Fringe Eve! I’d panic about my lack of preparedness but my procrastination skills have reached such a level that I’m even procrastinating about panicking. Honestly, I’ve long been Olympic standard, but this is bloody ridiculous now. And breathe. Yes, this year’s Edinburgh Fringe is getting close now (the courtyard at the Pleasance is already taking shape), next [Edit:but one] post will be Fringey, but for now, well, I had the most deliciously musical weekend….

Last post I was down in Yorkshireland, intending to make it back up for Jed and Nicole at Whistlebinkies; thanks to an unexpected road closure, plenty of motorway roadworks and torrential downpours, I just caught their second set. Grrrr. A pint of Stewart’s, some fuzzed up guitar and Ms Smit’s blend of sweet’n’sass and I was fair revived from my journey. Special note for their final number Something’s Got a Hold on Me, always great, but on Friday, woozah, Nicole really went out with a blast 💛

Jed Potts & Nicole Smit

Saturday, after another scrumpy ice cream from Thistle & Churn, followed by scallops from Creelers (I may have a habit taking shape there), I was back at Binkies for The Scat Rats and their usual mix from country to rhythm’n’blues and, of course, the odd original. There was what I took to be a, ahem, “maturer” tour group who had escaped the heat outside along with their tour guides (two wore tartan trews and glengarry hats), a bit of Johnny Cash and they were up! It’s always nice to have a floor show to enjoy, ha.

The Scat Rats, as ever, always a joy, delivered the goods, and I must give a shout out to George on sound; I’ve come to appreciate how differently some sound guys work, and he really brought out the music (loved the echoey bits, Scotty certainly did!) When I went to compliment his work afterwards, George’s modest reply was, “It’s easy to make someone sound good, when they’re that good already”. Nah, he’s good, he really got them, some don’t.

And then it was Sunday, time for the big one….

…… Carl Marah’s Second Single Tour beginning in the Voodoo Rooms, his second single being Roll the Dice (it’s in 4/5 time, you know) But that deserves a post of it’s own, I’ll just say here that I cannot allow Sunday evening to be the only time I get to hear his music in it’s current form on this tour. Those lucky bastards in London on the 2nd! It was a glorious evening, continued with further drinking, finishing back, once again in Whistlebinkies with the Harry Higgs Band, not the trio, a quartet (trio plus keyboards) with an occasional fifth, of guest vocals by Reine Beau.

A great end to a great weekend!

Some musings on music coming soon

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It’s late, very late, but I’m determined to write something before I sleep as tomorrow will be another full-on day here in Yorkshireland. Yes, I’m down again, long-time followers will be aware mid to late June is one of my annual trips. It’s ridiculously hot here, Saturday is promising to be 29°C, I’m melting!

I’ll be pooch-sitting for a few days next week, always happy to help out, just as long as I get away by Friday morning at the latest. Well, Jed & Nicole are at Whistlebinkies at 7pm, sooo, well, you know; Saturday afternoon sees the Scat Rats in there too, sweet, but it gets even better!

On Sunday 29th June Carl Marah kicks off another tour for the release of his second single Roll the Dice, this time in the Voodoo Rooms. After Edinburgh there’s London and Glasgow, then three nights on the trot, Ullapool, Inverness and Aberdeen, a fair bit of mileage there. I was kinda tempted by the Ullapool gig, but early July? The midgies will be out in full force, erm, it needs more mulling.

Then, mid July it’s time for the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, sadly there’s no Mardi Gras in the Grassmarket on the Saturday but the Carnival is back on the Sunday in Princes Street Gardens. I’ve had a ganders through the programme, noticed the wonderful Nicole Smit has a show on Wednesday 16th July in the Famous Spiegeltent (this year at St Andrew Square), nice. Her regular music buddy Jed Potts is in there two evenings later, along with the Hillman Hunters.

I was scrolling through the daily schedule on my phone and paused on Those Dangerous Gentlemen, hmm, just something about the name, and then the fact it was at the Leith Dockers, yes, I was right, another pie for Mr Potts! A few weeks later he’s back at this year’s Fringe, five shows with The Blueswater and five with Nicole Smit all scattered through August, so plenty of chances to catch them.

There’s even more chances to see Nicole at the Fringe; she has 1 Gig, 2 Drams, for six nights (I’m intrigued by the song choices to accompany two whiskies!?), and Coven – Major Arcana Energy where the set list is chosen by tarot cards (as its a coven, Nicole is one of three spell weavers). She will also be singing at the next SoundBite evening at Leith Arches, along with Rue Marie and Ailsa & The Seahorses on Thursday 31st July.

It’s really late now, I must away to sleep, just one last thought, Carl’s new single Roll the Dice is released next Friday (Friday 27th June), why not pre-save it now? It’s a great song with an intriguing jaunty rhythm. Honest, you’ll love it!

Another great poster from Mr Marah

Sweet dreams 😴

How to cook scallops and other news

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Hi peeps! It’s the first full weekend in June, so that means it’s Meadows Festival time, but this year I’m going leave off going until tomorrow. There’s heavy downpours out there, you know, already been caught in two just going to the Farmers Market, thank heavens for my oversized brolly! When I’ve finished this I’m going to pop along to Whistlebinkies where Jed Potts and Nicole Smit will be starting the afternoon set soon. There’s lots of music going on down in Leith for the Leith Jazz & Blues Festival this weekend; indeed, the Scat Rats are playing some place called The Volley at four o’clock today and tomorrow (I have no idea where it is, besides in Leith), I may pop down tomorrow, make that, most likely will pop along.

If I’d just gotten up when I first woke, around nine, I could have been home before the first deluge, but, well. So glad to get some eggs (never buy them from supermarkets these days), also some chicken thighs and honey from Brewsters, then across to Annanwater to see what they had left, oo, cutlets (exquisitely tasty) and two small frozen packs of liver (very handy as one pack is perfect for a solo meal, and it will defrost very quickly in a bowl of water). A chap behind me asked if I was queuing for a mutton pie like himself (they are exceedingly popular), oh no, I was holding off for scallops from Creelers for my lunch; as so often happens, that prompted a follow-up question of how I cook them, in butter first, then add a slosh of dry white wine, a little salt and black pepper, some frozen chopped parsley, finally double cream. Bloody marvellous if I do say so myself!

Oh, and a slice of bread of butter with a glass of the wine. He said he’d be round at twelve! Haha. Scallops in bag, last port of call was Thistle and Churn for another fine ice cream, this week’s was a Clootie Dumpling, with some actual clootie dumpling as part of the garnish!

I think partly the reason why I’m not fussed about getting to the Meadows Festival is that I’ve already had a big flea market fix just last week in Brussels, oh my god, it was so wonderful to gaze on it all! If you enjoy a good rummage and you’re ever in Brussels, head to Place du Jeu de Balle, and of course, being away means you can’t actually buy that ridiculous wotsit, ’cause how would you get it home?!

Yes, that is a pogo stick! ~~~~~ Some might call it junk ~~~~~~ I was tempted!

Similarly, I feel like my Fringe started early this year, not only did I treat myself to seeing Grubby Little Mitts performing Eyes Closed, Mouths Open when I was in London, but back four weeks ago I went to see John-Luke Roberts: It Is Better + Best Of at the Monkey Barrel. Honestly, I’m not quite sure what month it is, Meadows Fair, so it’s June. Yes, I have picked up copies of the Fringe programme, yes, I’ve done an extra quick sweep of comedy and theatre, and yes, I’ve bought my first eight tickets! I’m somewhat disgruntled that the box office has now upped the maximum booking fees for one purchase from £5 to £7.50, grrrr (yes, I know it’s not much to quibble over but it irks me). My purchases? A few previews, the new one from Batisfera, thought I should get in quick as Luke Rollason is only doing a few dates, and a ticket for Troy Hawke who is usually rather expensive but yay, he’s doing a WIP this year (been loving his stuff on Instagram).

More later, right now, there’s two rather talented musicians making sweet sounds, that I need to see. Toodle oo!