By Lisa Clark
The Programme for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival is up and as usual I have been scouring it to find out how many Australians will be putting on shows there this year.
Not all shows make it into the programme and not all are obviously Australian, so if you know of any I’ve missed feel free to contact Squirrel Comedy and I’ll add it to the list.
Sometimes it’s hard to define who to consider as Australian. Watching Rolf Harris perform in his union jack waistcoat at the Queens birthday made me think; does he really still define himself as Australian? It’s been his bread and butter, but I don’t really think of him as an Australian performer, more of a beloved British institution with an Australian background. And so as I went through this list it made me think; is someone like Brendon Burns or Mark Little still counted as Australian? Both list themselves in the Fringe programme as coming from England and neither have performed regularly if at all in Australia for many years. Should I only be listing people who are living in Australia and going over there? So what of Sarah Bennetto, who I left off a previous year’s list but then added when she asked me to… And why not? She lives in London, but does make regular trips home to perform and still participates with the Australian comedy community via twitter etc. Then there is someone like Celia Pacquola who’s been back and forth for a couple of years but is surely still an Australian act.
As you can see there can be some grey areas, I’ve added Mark Little to the list mostly to let people here know. He hasn’t done a show anywhere in a long time and there’s been a bit of controversy about the Fringe censoring the name of his show The Bullshit Artist in the Programme. Mark got pretty angry about it and I must agree with him. They’ve done it to several shows including Jon Bennett’s show Pretending things are a Cock. Though how C*ck is deemed more acceptable than Cock or the phallic picture on his poster is beyond me!
There are also acts below that I’ve never heard of, though I did try to check out their websites etc. I must say, I am amazed that some performers don’t have much current information on their websites, if they have websites at all! I can’t recommend this to performers highly enough. If you don’t have any personal web presence, get a friend to make a website for your show with some background info about you and your show if at all possible, even if it’s just one page. Let this be a reminder to everyone else to look through all the pages on your website and update it! Now!
Audiences, the media and comedy industry types have to choose what to go and see from hundreds of shows, your website might help them choose yours.
I’ve listed some shows from the Cabaret and Kids sections that have comedy connections and can recommend the cabaret show Briefs a group of hilarious drag/circus/cabaret performers from Queensland who wowed the HiFi Bar at The Festival Club. As the winners of RAW, Lessons with Luis have won the chance to perform in Edinburgh but are unable to take the whole family this year, so are planning to go in 2013.
I have also added reviews that we have done for shows where we have them. Some older reviews were originally published in our earlier incarnations The Groggy Squirrel, Australian Comedy Review and Chortle.au. At the bottom of the list I’ve added some non Australian shows that we reviewed this year at MICF.
As usual The Gilded Balloon Teviot http://www.gildedballoon.co.uk/ is the venue packed to the gills with Australian and New Zealand performers but there are Aussies at all the major venues including The Pleasance Courtyard http://www.pleasance.co.uk/edinburgh, Underbelly https://www.underbelly.co.uk/ and beyond, including many great comedy acts performing with the Free Fringe. Venues are dotted all over Edinburgh with even some venues having various performance spaces in different parts of Edinburgh, such as Assembly http://www.assemblyfestival.com/ with thirteen theatres at six different addresses.
Coming up over the next month or so, performers will be doing fundraisers in Australia to help pay for their trip and we thoroughly recommend that you support them as this is a huge undertaking. Most of the performers giving it a go have brilliant shows that are worth sharing with the rest of the world. It can only help our own comedy community for performers to go over and sample what else is happening, make connections, bring back their experiences and realise how world class Australian performers really are.
Exciting news that I can announce is that three Squirrels will be off to Edinburgh this year and will be sending back reviews and news. The lucky three will be Ron Bingham, (our UK correspondent), Colin Flaherty and yours truly Lisa Clark.
So enjoy the list and I hope it proves useful.
AUSTRALIAN COMEDY AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE 2012
Adam Hills – Mess Around – Assembly Hall
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/adam-hills-mess-around
Anne Edmonds – My Banjo’s Name is Steven – Underbelly Bristo Sqare
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/anne-edmonds-in-my-banjo-s-name-is-steven
Asher Treleaven – Troubadour– Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/asher-treleaven-troubadour
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1211
Axis of Awesome – Cry Yourself a River – Pleasance Courtyard
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/axis-of-awesome-cry-yourself-a-river
Barry Morgan’s World of Organs –Underbelly Bristo Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/barry-morgan-s-world-of-organs
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1628
Bec Hill Is more afraid of you than you are of her – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bec-hill-is-more-afraid-of-you-than-you-are-of-her
Bonnie Davies I’m high on life what are you on – C Ecca
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/i-m-high-on-life-what-are-you-on
Bob Downe – Smokin – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bob-downe-smokin
Bogan Bingo – Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bogan-bingo-free-festival
Bruce Griffiths – Because I felt Like it Free – Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/because-i-felt-like-it-free
Cameron The Comedian Davis– Human Conditioning – Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/human-condition-free
Celia Pacquola – Delayed – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/celia-pacquola-delayed
Squirrel review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1060
Claudia O’Doherty – The Telescope – Underbelly Cowgate
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/claudia-o-doherty-the-telescope
Confessions of a Grindr Addict – Assembly Hall
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/confessions-of-a-grindr-addict
Bootleg Comedy Perth, – Convicted – The Cabaret Voltaire
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/convicted
Dave Thornton – The Some of All the Parts – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/dave-thornton-the-some-of-all-the-parts
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1170
Denise Scott – Regrets – Assembly Hall
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/denise-scott-regrets
Eric Hutton – Every other show in the Fringe Sucks free – Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/eric-hutton-every-other-show-in-the-fringe-sucks-free
Ethan Addie – Rookie Mistakes – The Street
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/rookie-mistakes
Faulty Towers Dining Experience – B’est Restaurant
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/faulty-towers-the-dining-experience
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1633
Felicity Ward – The Hedgehog Dilemma – Underbelly,Bristo Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/felicity-ward-the-hedgehog-dilemma
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1237
Ged Cogley and Jamie McCarney – Upstaging: A modern guide to acting for gentlemen and gentleladies Free – Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/upstaging-a-modern-guide-to-acting-for-gentlemen-and-gentleladies-free
Gravity Boots – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/gravity-boots
Hannah Gadsby – Hannah Wants a Wife – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/hannah-gadsby-hannah-wants-a-wife
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1474
– Mary. Contrary. – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/hannah-gadsby-mary-contrary
Heath Franklin – Chopper in a Hard Bastards Guide to Life – Underbelly,Bristo Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/heath-franklin-s-chopper-in-a-hard-bastard-s-guide-to-life
Imaan Hadchiti – A Little Perspective with Imaam – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/little-perspective-with-imaan
Jackson Voorhaar – One True Loves Free – Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/jackson-voorhaar-s-one-true-love-s-free
Jennifer Carnovale – Scraping the Barrel Free – Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/jennifer-carnovale-scraping-the-barrel-free
Jimeoin – What?! – Venue 150 @ EICC
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/jimeoin-what
John Conway and Michael Burke – New Conway Dimension – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/new-conway-dimension
John Robertson – The Old Whore – Assembly Hall
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/john-robertson-the-old-whore
– The Dark Room Free – Alternative Fringe @ The Hive
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/john-robertson-the-dark-room-free
Jon Bennett – Pretending Things Are A Cock – Pleasance Courtyard
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/pretending-things-are-a-c-ck
Squirrel Review https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1624
Karin Muiznieks – World War Wonderful – SpaceCabaret @ 54
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/world-war-wonderful
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1643
Keira Daley – Ladynerd -Assembly George Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/keira-daley-ladynerd
Lady Melville and Rosie Rebel – Dirty Thirty – Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/dirty-thirties
Madeleine Culp – Fark – Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/fark
Marcus Ryan – Home and Away Free – Laughing Horse @ Espionage
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/marcus-ryan-home-and-away-free
Mark Little – THEbullshitARTIST -Assembly George Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/mark-little-thebullsh-tartist
Marie Connolly – Cucu-rucu-cu in the French Alps – Laughing Horse @ Espionage
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/cucu-rucu-cu-in-the-french-alps
Michael Workman – Mercy – Gilded Balloon at Third Door
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/michael-workman-mercy
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1413
Michael Workman & Tommy Little – Splitting the Bill – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/splitting-the-bill-michael-workman-tommy-little
Morven Smith – One in a Million Free – Laughing Horse @ City Cafe
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/one-in-a-million-free
Nellie White – The One Handed Show; An Introduction To Pornography Free – Cabaret Voltaire
Nellie missed out on the official programme but is in the programme of the PBH Free Fringe:
http://freefringeforum.org/event.php?event=4824
Nick Coyle – Me Pregnant! – Underbelly, Cowgate
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/me-pregnant
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1357
Nick Sun – Potty Time – Alternative Fringe @ The Hive
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/nick-sun-potty-time
Out Cast Theatre – Mr Braithwaite has a new boy – C Aquila
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/mr-braithwaite-has-a-new-boy
Paddy Magee – Do Not Trust The Animals, free – Laughing Horse @ Espionage
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/do-not-trust-the-animals-free
Ro Campbell – Midnight Meltdown – The Stand Comedy Club II
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/ro-campbell-midnight-meltdown
Ryan Withers – One Woman Showe Free – Laughing Horse @ Jekyll & Hyde
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/ryan-withers-one-woman-showe-free
Sam Simmons – About The Weather – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/sam-simmons-about-the-weather
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1225
Sammy J & Randy – The Inheritance – Underbelly,Bristo Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/sammy-j-and-randy-the-inheritance
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1279
Sarah Bennetto – The Temps – Pleasance Courtyard
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/temps
– Storytellers Club – Pleasance Courtyard
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/storytellers-club
Sarah Jones – Does Not Play Well With Others – CAquila
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/sarah-jones-does-not-play-well-with-others
Shane Dundas – Believe – Assembly Hall
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/believe-starring-shane-dundas-from-the-umbilical-brothers
Slow Clap [Vachel Spirason and Stephanie Brotchie] – Truth – Underbelly, Cowgate
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/truth
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1404
Tessa Waters and Kai Smythe – Sexytime – Underbelly, Cowgate
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/sexytime
Squirrel review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1615
Tim Lee – Scientist Turned Comedian – Assembly Roxy
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/scientist-turned-comedian-tim-lee
Tom Flanagan – Kaput – Underbelly,Bristo Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/kaput
Xavier Toby – Binge Thinking – C nova
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/xavier-toby-binge-thinking
Yianni – Numb and Number Free – The Canons’ Gait
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/yianni-numb-and-number-free
CABARET
Briefs – Underbelly, Bristo Square
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/briefs
Crab House A Bloody Cabaret Free – Fingers Piano Bar
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/crab-house-a-bloody-cabaret
Funkier Than Alice – Love, Lust & Lager – SpaceCabaret @ 54
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/love-lust-and-lager
Lady Celeste – Exploring Down Under – The Street
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/lady-celeste-exploring-down-under
Lady Sings it Better – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/lady-sings-it-better
Sugar & Spice – All the men we’ve never slept with The Voodoo Rooms
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/all-the-men-we-ve-never-slept-with
Virginia Gay – Dirty Pretty Songs – The Famous Spiegeltent
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/cabaret/virginia-gay-dirty-pretty-songs
KIDS
Bubblewrap & Boxes – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/childrens-shows/bubblewrap-and-boxes
Frehd Astarr and Tim Eee – Ta Daaa!– Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/childrens-shows/ta-daaa
Mark Trenwith – Mr. Snot Bottom’s Stinky Silly Show – Guilded Balloon Teviot
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/childrens-shows/mr-snot-bottom-s-stinky-silly-show
INTERNATIONAL ACTS at the Edinburgh Fringe 2012 reviewed by Squirrel Comedy
Daniel Kitson – Where Once was Wonder
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/where-once-was-wonder-by-daniel-kitson
Squirrel Review– https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1021
DeAnne Smith Livin the Sweet Life
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/deanne-smith-livin-the-sweet-life
Squirrel Review- https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1148
Dr Brown – Befrdfgth
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/doctor-brown-befrdfgth
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1244–
Alex Horne – The Horne Section
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/bbc-alex-horne-presents-the-horne-section
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1511
Simon Amstell – Numb
http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/simon-amstell-numb
Squirrel Review – https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1360
