Andrew O’Neill’s History Of Heavy Metal

By Colin Flaherty
History of Metal

I’ve been hearing about this show for while and finally I made it to the UK to see A History Of Heavy Metal in person. Based on the book he has just published, O’Neill takes us on a personal and highly opinionated history of this musical form with plenty of guitar shredding and hilarious lines.

The version we saw was his stripped down version – squeezed from ninety minutes to sixty, minus the full band and slide show – but his enthusiasm guaranteed that we didn’t miss a thing. Amongst the sometimes shambolic self-teching, he kept us entertained with amusing banter and even let us squint at the key slides from his laptop.

Mostly playing along to backing tracks, we were taken through many memorable riffs, heard excerpts from songs to see how silly they can be and he even put his own amusing words to existing tunes to either poke fun at the band or give them a different silly context. O’Neill explained that normally he can hide amongst the mix of the full band, but his solo playing was impressive enough to carry the show.

He recalled a lot of the facts and figures from memory and occasionally reads a few passages from the book to illustrate the points. This gave things a bit of a classier literary feel rather than just being a straight comedic lecture.

This performance is heaven for Metal Heads and there were plenty of riotous digs at various bands. Knowing the references is key to getting all the jokes but even if you know little about the genre there’s still plenty to laugh at. My non-Metal companion was surprised at how many bands she recognised outside of the big names and had a brilliant time.

Go see it now and pick up the book ASAP (OR DIE!).

History Of Heavy Metal is on at La Belle Angèle (August 10 @ 20:00, August 23 & 24 @ 23:30) and Liquid Rooms Annexe (August 22 @ 19:30)

This show is free (donation)

Brendon Burns and Craig Quartermaine in Race Off

By Colin Flaherty
Race Off

Who’d of thought that Brendon Burns would become an ambassador of sorts for race relations? He probably didn’t! He regularly points out that an unsympathetic character such as he is difficult to take seriously. Teaming up with Indigenous Australian comedian Craig Quartermaine he has produced Race Off – an exploration of how people tend to view “the other” differently to their own.

Rather than being assaulted with a diatribe about race, privilege and prejudice we get a personal story from two perspectives. Brendon tells of meeting Craig and his wife, and all the things that went through his mind… while Craig recounts having this Loose Unit comedian on his doorstep. They discover that even though they used to haunt the same locations, their experiences couldn’t be further apart. The tale continues through the development of this project and some of the events that have happened in its’ wake.

The performance style of each comedian is wildly different even though both call a spade a digging implement. Quartermaine is reserved and measured in his delivery – sitting back and considering his lines. Meanwhile we have Burns bouncing all over the place, shouting like an overstimulated child to get his point across. It was great fun witnessing them playfully goad each other and muck about and they clearly admire each other’s work (or at the very least tolerate it). We get to laugh at Burns comically portraying white privilege while Quartermaine shakes his head at the fool to his right and proceeds to point at this fact with a few words.

I can see how some white audiences back home could find some of this material uncomfortable but it’s far from judgemental and hilarious to boot. It’s aimed at white audiences who consider themselves tolerant (known as “White Knights”) and gives them some things to chew on. Both performers find the funny by coming at it from personal experience rather than academic theory. Even though UK punters are somewhat removed from Indigenous Australian issues, there is plenty to take away in the recognising and acknowledging of certain mindsets.

Part personal stories and part social experiment, this is not just a smart, worthy piece but also an entertaining and amusing hour in the company of this seemingly odd couple.

Race Off is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 28

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/brendon-burns-and-craig-quartermaine-in-race-off

Muriel – Bad Master

By Ron Bingham
Muriel

This is sketch comedy by Muriel – three very talented ladies (Janine Harouni, Meg Salter and Sally O’Leary) who perform a fast paced hour of sketches interlaced with video skits (to allow them time for costume changes). From their accents, I’m guessing they are from the US, Australia and Ireland respectively.

We start with a set of video chats with their parents, segueing into a sort of hip-hip improv troupe, learn from a fashion vlogger and an “upscaler”, meet a Brownie troupe preparing an ambitious musical for their camp, a hilarious (and saucy) art house movie sequence, an Aussie radio show with a guess that sound segment and the opportunity for the audience to chant a rude word. The best section was the wedding speeches at the end of the show.

There was hardly a pause in the flow of the show, the room was full of laughing people and we even got a free biscotti. Highly recommended, but be warned that this will be a sell out show, deservedly.

Bad Master is on at Underbelly, Cowgate until August 27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/muriel-bad-master

Bec Hill – Out of Order

By Lisa Clark
Out OF Order

Bec Hill is always delightful. Looking for an hour of joy and laughs at the Fringe? You just can’t go past whatever show Bec is doing each year and 2017 is no exception. Out of Order, is definitely the show you ordered.

I haven’t seen Bec perform live for a number of years and I was pleased to learn that she still uses her flip charts to tell funny stories (three in this show). There was a time several years ago when butcher paper flip charts were all the rage. Many gave up their flip charts and moved on to white boards or, like Bob Dylan, went electric with multimedia laptop slide shows etc. but Bec has stuck with her flip charts and has gotten better to the point of creating a new and exciting artform. There is smoke, glitter, things blow up and off her butcher paper. Her inventiveness is utterly enchanting.

Bec’s conceit is a large board covered in post-it notes, with topics written on each one. She encourages the audience to yell out topics and her show will follow the audience’s whims. Hopefully no show will be exactly the same. Certainly not in the same order. Some of her topics are short jokes and some are longer stories, they are colour coded so the audience knows. What the audience doesn’t know at the outset is what the balls we are all handed will be used for. We do find out of course.

Yes, there is a little audience participation but no more than the gentlest of type where all the audience takes part and no one is forced to. Importantly, rather than trying to embarrass an audience member or set someone apart, Bec is all about sharing the space and everyone creating a show they can enjoy together. For the brightest spot in the Edinburgh showers, go see Bec Hill.

Out of Order is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bec-hill-out-of-order

Gráinne Maguire: Gráinne with a Fada

By Ron Bingham
Gráinne Maguire

Gráinne (pronounced almost like Gron-ya) is from Ireland…obviously. She points out that she fits all the stereotypes for an Irish girl. She has been in London for the last decade and the show looks back at some of her observations on the political situation in the country. She looks back at her life in Ireland as an attention seeking child, who performed her first stand-up at the age of four (warning: may not be as impressive as it sounds). We also get some dating advice for people who are from outside England and a bit of talk about Brexit and Donald Trump.

Gráinne is an engaging and entertaining storyteller who keeps the audience laughing at a steady pace throughout the hour. This show is recommended for everyone even though there is a little swearing (but it’s in a cute Irish accent so it doesn’t count!). I also liked that the ticket for the show couldn’t put the little accent over the ‘a’ in her name, so it was  “Gr?inne”, which makes the whole thing even more confusing for those who’ve never seen the name.

Gráinne with a Fáda is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/grainne-maguire-grainne-with-a-fada

Scott Gibson: Like Father Like Son

By Lisa Clark P1060196

I decided to see Scott Gibson after he did a searing job hosting the GB launch. Not only was he funny and quick, but spoke the kind of truths that others are usually too nervous to say at such events. And it wasn’t just his words, he was the kind of person who is able to get laughs using a twitch of his face and the tone of his voice. He reminded me of a young, shouty Alexi Sayle.

Like Father Like Son begins with Scott’s pub type material, He works the room like a champion, getting to know members of the audience and making a lot of self-depreciating fat jokes. This gives the audience time to get settled and get to know him. Gradually he leads the audience into his personal life. Scott is planning to be a father and this show looks back at his relationships with his ne’r do well dad and grand dads.

Scott proves to be a brilliant and riveting storyteller with a lot to talk about. He also has a charming Scottish turn of phrase, like “we all need a wee greet now and then”. He starts angry and funny and then moves into rather serious territory. My only quibble with this show is that, although it never becomes maudlin, he needs to throw a few more jokes into the serious bits. He’s clearly capable and has a charming way of keeping things fairly light and understating his troubles throughout.

Like Father Like Son is a lovely, heart-warming show from a comedian who’s funny to the bones. Having won Best Newcomer last year at 32, Scott is in a sweet spot and will no doubt have a great career ahead that will be worth following.

Scott Gibson performs Like Father Like Son at Gilded Balloon Teviot 15.45

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/scott-gibson-like-father-like-son-1