Friday 12 August 2011

Fringe Festival Frenzy



picture copyright Brian Hartley

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is now approaching it’s second weekend and although Vox Motus doesn’t have a production this year we couldn’t entirely keep away from the madness so here are our recommendations of shows that we have been involved with and shows we have just seen so far and loved..

A Conversation with Carmel (St George’s West 2.15pm)

Co-directed by Candice, designed by Jamie and produced by Susannah this show definitely has a Vox Motus influence on it. It is an honest interrogation of family relationships and a beautiful celebration of the older person’s experience and place in society told through dance, theatre and film. A Guardian dance pick of the Fringe and only on for 9 performances don’t miss it!


The Wheel (Traverse various times)

Zinnie Harris’s ambitious new play is a journey through the landscape of war and a symbolic comment on the corruption of childhood innocence. Featuring some powerful performances and illusion design by Vox Motus’s Jamie Harrison, the production has just been awarded a Fringe First.

Untitled Love Story (St George’s West 6pm)

Fire Exit’s new production is a lyrical and intelligent meditation on love told through four different monologues. It features beautiful sound and lighting design by Graham Sutherland, who has done many a brilliant sound design for Vox Motus.

Federer vs Murray (Assembly 12.30pm)

Originally produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint, this tragi-comedy by Gerda Stevenson is another play that tackles the subject of war through personal relationships and an enduring love of tennis... It features the lighting design of Simon Wilkinson who is a core creative associate of Vox Motus and a brilliant lighting designer.

Other shows we have enjoyed….

We have barely scratched the surface of what is on offer yet this year so there may well be a second blog post before the end of the festival but here’s what we have loved so far…

Dance Marathon (Traverse 7.15pm)

A four hour dance competition may not sound like fun but trust me it is. Inspired by the Dance Marathons of Depression era America it is joyous, immersive and life affirming. Go and dance your socks off.

Tonight Sandy Grierson will Lecture, Dance and Box (Assembly various times)

Another show that originated at A Play, A Pie and A Pint. This is part lecture, part theatre and part stand up comedy. Find out about the extraordinary life of Arthur Craven – poet, thief, boxer and great grandfather among many other things. Featuring a mesmerizing performance by Sandy Grierson, you’ll come out scratching your head about how much of what you have been told is true.


I Hope My Heart Goes First (St George’s West, 2pm)

An exploration of love by teenagers on the brink of discovering all of its joys and woes. This is at times energetic, angry, funny, poignant and touching. Created and performed by Junction 25 - a performance collective aged 13 – 20. This autobiographical piece is original and accomplished.