DESTINY, USA

Because it’s humble and autobiographical, some people might ignore Destiny, USA, but that would be a huge mistake: it’s one of the most skilful and moving shows I’ve ever seen at the Fringe. Laura Anne Harris is the sole live performer in this production of her...

JOSEPHINE

I cried three times watching Josephine. The first was because I’m so grateful when I get to see the real thing: Tymisha Harris is a star. Harris plays Josephine Baker in this solo show, which the company describes as “a burlesque cabaret dream play”. Baker was the...

THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM: A GRIMM FAIRYTALE

Yes! This is how you tell a story. It starts with a wedding and a fainting bride. In her swoon — with the help of a chorus called the Grimm Sisters — the bride has the courage to confront her repressed memories. In that backstory, the bride is sixteen and a poor...

CRAZY FOR DICK TRICKS: A DIRK DARROW INVESTIGATION

Tim Motley isn’t reinventing magic with Crazy for Dick Tricks, but he is practising it with a lot of charm. Some of the formats are familiar: a series of “failed” attempts at mindreading come together in a big finish, for instance. There are too many magic scarves and...

SCAREDY CAT

Solo performer Carlyn Rhamey has charm to burn: she engages easily and confidently with her audience, inviting everybody in and capitalising on the liveness of the event. But, in Scaredy Cat, most of the stories that she tells about her own fearfulness aren’t as...