Home Again

Location: Home

I am home from Edinburgh Fringe 2011. It has been truly epic!
Working for Pleasance is always exhausting but the atmosphere amongst the staff is wonderful and we get each other through. I whole-heartedly recommend working at Edinburgh because while you aren't going to make money, you might just break even and have a great time doing it. I saw around 30 shows (most of which for free on my trusty staff pass - another reason to work) on my time off.

My highs of the Fringe have been seeing The Boy With Tape On His Face, where I managed to get a seat on the front row and pulled up onstage - which was fantastic. Sam Wills' show is magical, joyful and something you just have to experience. My cheeks ached from smiling the whole time.

Secondly, Richard Marsh's Skittles was simply beautiful. A gorgeous story of finding love and losing it again, all delivered in performance poetry style with heartwarming wit and elegance. I raved about this play from the moment I left the venue - encouraging everyone I spoke with to go and see it. They saw it and loved it too.

Two more plays I loved were Time For The Good Looking Boy and An Instinct For Kindness - both in Pleasance Jack Dome (lucky Jack Dome). Both were one man shows but thats where the similarities end.

Time For The Good Looking Boy is monologue mixed with rap telling the story of an 18 year old boy. It covers different facets of his life, culminating in an explosive emotional climax. The set and lighting design were simply gorgeous and it was a well executed show on from all aspects. I really enjoyed this touching piece of work from Box Clever.

An Instinct For Kindness, performed by Chris Larner was incredible. It is the true story of a man's journey to assist his former wife in her suicide in Switzerland. The piece was incredibly touching, highlighted with warmth and humour throughout. But the moment that broke my (already crumbling) resolve was his curtain call, when it fully hit me that this was something real that happened to him and he has the strength to put it onstage and perform it everyday for a month. That level of bravery is staggering and I applaud Mr Larner for his performance.

Despite having a great time in Edinburgh, I am very happy to be at home. Although I don't have much time to relax, as I am moving to London this weekend for some more work! I'm really excited to start my new job on a production of Britannicus at Wilton's Music Hall. I will be working as Assistant Stage Manager on this show and be involved right from the rehearsal - which is very exciting. After a few jobs coming in last moment to operate shows, following a production from near the beginning will be an excellent experience.