Take Five … God Almighty Edinburgh Fringe Shows
Fringe theatremakers are no doubt saying all sorts of prayers tonight – for good reviews, for more time, for less rain – in advance of tomorrow’s official festival start. So today, we’re turning to the Almighty too in our round-up. Not necessarily meant for spiritual enlightenment, these Take Five shows nevertheless manage to bring God into the picture. From musical classics, to theatre drama and brand-new comedy, God is all-pervasive at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
1) Godspell
Patch of Blue Theatre return to the Fringe this year after successful renditions of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Diary of Anne Frank in 2010. The Stephen Schwartz musical brings together a group of characters who re-tell the parables and stories of Matthew’s Gospel set to a modern score. Patch of Blue’s production involves free wine and puppetry and is especially designed to be accessible for audiences with sensory impairment. Touch-tours of the set are available pre-performance. C Venues – C soco, 3-29 August, 19.45.
2) God’s Fool
Francis of Assisi called himself God’s Fool and this new play, fresh from its run in New York, tries to illuminate the life of this revolutionary man. Dubbed an environmentalist and a feminist, Assisi defied church corruption and in this play travels through the Egyptian Crusade to plead for peace with the Sultan. Their encounter echoes issues of Christianity, Judaism and Islam still at work today. TheSpace on Niddry Street, 5-13 August, 16.00.
3) Go To Your God Like A Soldier
Playwright Andrew Keatley set his new play in present day Afghanistan. As four soliders are barrickaded in a house, observing insurgent activity, emotions run high as tough choices need to be made and the soldiers form an ever closer bond the longer they are kept in their hide-out. This is the third production of :DELIRIUM: theatre, who continue to bring physical, energetic stories to the stage. Underbelly Cowgate, 4-28 August, 14.40.
4) Ryanair Lost My Baby (God Bless Them)
Ever travelled with Ryanair? After extensive work in Ireland and Lanzarote this show is Scottish comedian Eric Gudmunsen’s Fringe debut. With his guitar on stage, Gudmunsen blends old-school stand-up with a modern and musical twist. Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde, 4-28 August, times vary.
5) God Bless, God Speed, God Damn You All
Gregory Akerman looks at people pretending to be someone they are not. Examples include Bill ‘Brushy’ Roberts and the Three Christ’s of Ypsilanti. As Akerman examines idiot rambles, he take a comedian’s look into why we do or don’t believe them as well as looking at the sit-com potential of these people’s stories. Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 28 August, 19.30.
