Highlight #9 - The Overcoat by Gecko Theatre

An award-winning and accomplished young theatre group from the UK, Gecko return to the Edinburgh Fringe with The Overcoat, a piece inspired by a short story by Russian novelist Gogol.

With what promises to be visually compelling staging and a style reminiscent of a silent movie, The Overcoat tells the tale of young office worker Akakki as he persues his twin desires - a female colleague he is infatuated with and a brown overcoat that seems to possess almost magical qualities...

With little in the way of coherent dialogue (the cast speak in a variety of languages), The Overcoat is not so much a straightforward storytelling piece, but instead looks to be a tour de force of imagery and movement, with comic interludes and a beguiling style. Imaginative use of sets and lighting, coupled with a cast that have backgrounds in dance as well as acting, look set to ensure The Overcoat lives up to expectations as a powerful piece of physical theatre.

The Overcoat runs from the 13th to 29th (not 18th or 25th) August in the Pleasance Courtyard. Prices various from £7.

Review to follow on 21st August,

Highlight #6 - Venus and Mars and Other Myths of Mr and Ms

From ancient times to the present, the differences between man and woman have long fascinated and inspired poets and playwrights, who have employed their artistry to weave timeless, emotion-drenched portrayals of the human condition.

To my knowledge, none of them have so far done so using the medium of comedy aprons.

Fortunately, that gap is admirably addressed by Venus and Mars and Other Myths of Mr and Ms, a 50-minute whirlwind tour of some of history and literature's greatest couples, wardrobe changes being limited to one swift swapping of aprons after another.

Swoon as Romeo and Juliet express their emotions for each other wearing novelty aprons with pictures of boobs & willies on them. Gasp as Anthony & Cleopatra spiral towards their fates with only plastic household apparel for protection. And shudder as Lord and Lady Macbeth (pictured - although which one is Lord and which one is Lady is up for some debate here) try to extricate themselves from their self-spun web of greed, deceit and pvc prints of sexy underwear.

Featuring two young actors with obvious energy and chemistry and some pithy writing & direction, Venus and Mars and Other Myths of Mr and Ms has been generating some great preview run feedback and looks set to be a fast-paced and funny romp through familiar territory everyone can relate to. And it must've been a blast buying the costumes.

Venus and Mars and Other Myths of Mr and Ms runs from 7th-29th August (not Sundays) at The Spaces on The Mile, various prices from £6.

Festival highlights #1

Two of the shows I'm looking forward to at this year's Edinburgh Festival:

Faust by National Theatre ‘Radu Stanca' Sibiu (link)

This performance is a perfect example of how eclectic this year's Edinburgh International Festival programme is. A large-scale promenade performance by a Romanian company, this promises to be an assault on the senses, especially given its setting in the Lowland Hall of the Ingliston Showground exhibition centre (a venue more often used for less cultural events such as local antique fairs).

The gallery and video on the EIF site give a good impression of what to expect: a visually stunning and immersive theatrical experience that looks like the kind of show the Fringe is more used to playing host to.

Patti Plinko & Her Boy (link)

Patti (and The Boy) were an undisputed highlight for me last year, and I'm still listening to her debut album almost a year later. The visual and aural appeal of a slender slip of a girl and a gas-masked guitarist producing bewitching and unsettling noir cabaret tunes is deliciously unique.

Patti is also acquaintances with the divine Camille O'Sullivan, and inhabits the same vaudeville space as Amanda Palmer (both appearing this year) - might there be a collaboration made in greasepaint heaven waiting for us at 2009's Edinburgh Fringe..?