Tag: Vikki Stone

Vikki Stone: Songbird

By Ron Bingham

Multi-talented Vikki Stone sings well, plays piano brilliantly and exuberantly, has an excellent stage presence, and is very funny. Songbird is an excellent showcase of her talents and perfect for lovers of music, comedy (especially novelty songs) and pets.

The stage has a tiny (mock) grand piano, concealing Vikki’s keyboard and a few surprise props. Vikki arrives on stage wearing a bright colourful jumpsuit, to sing us songs about her partner, her gran, her best friend in the world, and a couple of wonderfully hilarious novelty songs. Introductions, explanations and stories around each song give context and plenty of laughs. There is a delightful surprise at the end of the show, one that all dog lovers won’t want to miss.

Unfortunately it started nearly 20 minutes late on the day I was there (not Vikki’s fault), which caused a bit of tension in the audience with a number of people hovering near the exit so we could sprint to the next show of the evening. This may have affected the ambiance somewhat, but no one wanted to leave, because she was so entertaining. The good news is that I loved Songbird and got to see all of it. She finished just in time for me to sprint to my next show. Excellent all round.

Song Bird is on at Pleasance Courtyard until August 25
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/vikki-stone-song-bird

Vikki Stone: Instrumental

By Ron Bingham

This is a change from Vikki’s show last year, as Vikki pays tribute to her dad. At the start, the audience sees a stage filled with a wide variety of musical instruments set up ready to play. Vikki enters and, in a very fast paced delivery, tells the story of her youth: falling in love with music and how much of an influence her dad had been. While speaking she is also using various instruments and technology to create a backing group to her stories. Some of the instruments Vikki can play very well, some have been borrowed and she has yet to master them yet she has an attachment to all of them. There are a couple of “proper” songs, including a lovely one to her father at the end.

One of the major scenes involves a story where Vikki was asked to sing backing vocals for a major artiste and what happened afterwards. In the audience was a(nother) reviewer who had been apparently having a Twitter battle with Vikki over the wearing of a dog costume (from last year’s show) as a bet, where she would receive an extra star if she donned the furry suit. Vikki turned the tables and forced him to wear it in the scene, to the riotous applause of the rest of the audience (it’s probably on t’internet as I write).

So if you want to see a very personal show about family and influences, which is also musically entertaining and funny, see this show. There is a little swearing but it will appeal to all ages.

Vikki Stone is performing Instrumental at Underbelly, Cowgate.
For Tickets and more information go to the Edinburgh Fringe Website:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/vikki-stone-instrumental

Vikki Stone – Definitely

By Ron Bingham

Another new performer for me, Vikki Stone is a comedian who plays the piano and sings songs but she does so much more than that. The show starts with the greatest ever motherf*cker opening song, with smoke machines, dance routines, costume changes and impressive stage props. Never have camel toes looked so elegant (on the camel, I mean).

The rest of the evenings entertainment consists of Vikki travelling on a Simon Cowell inspired journey towards fame, via the medium of songs about sexy scientist Brian Cox, iconic sports presenter Clare Balding, the trials and eating habits of her dog Bert and the messy subject of dog poo in plastic bags. The finale was a finely piece of cinema, with dancing dogs (which is the point where Vikki almost lost it, due to the unexpected dancing skills of the dog for the evening), choirs, fireworks, projected schmaltz and so much more.

This is an excellent and finely honed hour of entertainment that had the (almost) full house in stitches for the whole show. The props are suitably over the top and the songs are well written and quite rude in places (I wonder how Brian and Clare would feel if they happened to show up one night? That would be worth seeing). If you love risque entertainment from a lady who isn’t afraid to go just that little bit too far in search of a laugh, or dogs, or ridiculously overproduced showtunes (a la Simon Cowell’s entire ouvre), then see this show, but get your tickets now.

Vikki Stone performs Definitely at Underbelly Bristow Square at 7.20pm

For bookings and info: https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/vikki-stone-definitely