Author: bruceonthefringe

Why, oh why?

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Why ever did I start this nonsense? The WordPress University course said, check out other blogs, see what you like, be inspired! Or see them and run back into your cave, defeated by fear of looking ridiculous and amateurish in comparison with all the wonderful blogs on display.

Even as I just wrote that, I had a realisation, hang on, what about all those small shows that make up the Fringe? All the inexperienced, the first-timers, the folk who put every last penny into their show knowing they’ll leave Edinburgh totally broke, the little show in an out-of-the-way venue competing for audiences with thousands of other shows, do they give up and run away? No! They come to Edinburgh and perform their hearts out, they give it all they’ve got, faint heart never won rapturous applause!

So I shall prevail. Moose, like some bears, may have very little brains, but I shall rise to the challenge and blog on!

 

Rules are made to be broken

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Last post I mentioned that I wait for the full Fringe programme to come out before taking a peek through, but last year I had to check out Susan Calman’s show (yes, had to). Well I’m tempted again thanks to my Saturday paper, which has a “best 40 shows to book in Edinburgh” feature. After a few years of doing his thang in the wilds of the Free Fringe (very successfully with no advertising other than the Fringe programme and in an obscure, tricky to find venue), Brendon Burns is back in a pay-to-enter venue, and he’s bringing his chum Craig Quatermaine with him.

This, for me, will be a great show, I say for me as Brendon is definitely not for everyone. For those unfamiliar with him, think of Adam Hills, well Burnsy is the antithesis of him. He’s uncouth, fairly unkempt and not for those of delicate dispositions. Love him! Though it wasn’t quite love at first sight, that first time was a preview show around 17 years ago at what is now the Roxy. My, I thought I was prepared for anything, not quite anything. I’ve always smirked at the word tramlines ever since.

And Craig Quartermaine? Great bloke, an indigenous Aussie, journalist turned comedian I think. Last year he turned up to be part of Brendon’s show and found himself with a Free Fringe show slot of his own. His quickly put together flyer was a pic of his face when he first heard there was a slot he could take due to a cancellation, he was a very happy man, big cheesy grin.

So, do I book a preview ticket early or wait? Nah, it’s fine, the fringe gods won’t let me miss out on this beaut.

 

 

Twenty eight days to go!

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That is, twenty eight days til the Fringe programme comes through the letterbox. Yes I know plenty of tickets are already on sale, but I like to do it the old way. I liked it when the programme came out then you had two weeks to work through it before the tickets went on sale. Mind, at least there isn’t the almighty queue on the first day of sales anymore, don’t miss that.

I did sneak a quick early look last year, it was for a good cause – to check where the ever delightful Susan Calman was performing and more importantly, was she doing any cheap previews?

So will she be back this year? Will Nicholas Parsons return for a few more minutes? Will Marcus Brigstock do a topical daytime show? Will Pip Utton be back as Maggie or Adolf?  I don’t know, but I will come 7th June.

Who are you?

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Day four suggests I identity my audience. Moose lovers! Edinburgh fringe-goers past, present and future, be you a fringer or fringee (though I’m not sure which are the performers and which the audience). If you like quirky, dark, slightly surreal, humorous, then I’m your moose. If you want gritty, social commentary, worthiness, sorry, but the Fringe is my escape from all that. I have been known to dip my toe in occasionally, like Henry Naylor’s last three works, all three were riveting and discomforting and I’m glad I went off piste for them.

As the time draws nearer I shall offer advice on how to sift your way through the programme and find those nuggets of gold. And maybe I might figure out how to show you some of my old fringe pics! Ho hum.

 

Please do not read this rubbish

bruceonthefringe Fringe history, Places to go, Uncategorized Tags: , 1 Comment

Back in 1997 I went to an Edinburgh Fringe show called Marvin Hanglider -The Power of Negative Advertising. The blurb in the programme warned people not to see the show, not to waste their money on a ticket, it was rubbish. Needless to say he did pretty well, thanks to the contrariness of Fringe-goers.

I furnish you with this fact just to practice my blogging, indeed, you’ll hopefully get to see a photo of yours truly if I can follow the instructions right. A wee pic of me in a favourite spot, Dr Neil’s Garden by the side of Duddingston Loch. A peaceful bolthole about a half hour walk from the Pleasance Courtyard.

Ok, so no picture yet, apparently I have no media, but there is a photo there, honest, I just saved it like forty minutes ago when I started this post. Ho hum. It will be a pleasure for another time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First blog post

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So Hi anyone looking at this. Never done anything like this before but have been musing on doing a fringe blog for, oo, the last four years. So finally I’m taking the plunge! The first fringe show I saw was way back in 1985, The Bald Prima Donna at Buster Browns on Thursday 22nd August for £2. That Prima Donna keeps coming back every year, still bald as a coot. So if you fancy a stroll along the byways and alley ways of my Fringe experiences, feel free to drop in.

Like I said, I’m new to this so there’s gonna be plenty mistakes (though at least my typing seems ok for a moose) as I’m not really up with this modern technology stuff. So wish me luck and do check in again!

Bruce

 

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