#Review by Bookmarks and Stages by Lou of The UnderNeath @Cvenues #EdFringe #TheUnderNeath

The UnderNeath
By The Rainbow Room Productions

review written by Bookmarks and Stages -Louise Cannon

What lies in the UnderNeath and what is it? This play gives the perfect chance to find out, in what is an intriguing piece of new writing, which is thought-provoking and makes you ask similar questions as to what the people in-front of you are asked and query themselves.

There’s a certain air of Life on Mars, in that everyone may not be alive and no one, except Neath, knows what’s going on. There are hidden secrets and confessions to be made in what is a mysterious holding room.

The play carries an interesting concept of having one person, Neath, who is 1000’s of years old and is the only one who knows what’s going on. The others are baffled and some, to begin with, don’t remember what happened. The play toys with the characters psychologically as they dig deep for their back stories and into what their deepest regret is to see if they can be released or not from the mysterious place they find themselves in. It’s strength was how each character dealt with their predicament. That’s where the real psychological impact lies, rather than totally in their stories alone. This is fascinating, but I felt a little more of the power of the human condition vibe.
Intriguingly, the room itself, almost becomes a strong, powerful character as you wait to see what happens next and what hold it has on its captives.

It is thought-provoking and well acted in the formation of the actors who give a convincing performance whilst telling their stories and being baffled by what’s happening to them.

You can find out more here, if you dare to go to The UnderNeath

#Review of Wodehouse In Wonderland performed by @RobertDaws at Studio 3, George Square Gardens 5 stars @ARedinburgh #EdFringe #EdinburghFringeFestival #Wodehouse #WodehouseInWonderland

Wodehouse in Wonderland
Performed by Robert Daws
Written by William Humble

Review written by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Robert Daws gives a spiffingly outstanding performance as he invites audiences into the charmingly witty, poignant world of P.G. Wodehouse. Every word, every movement is done with the upmost conviction and draws you in further into his world. He engages the entire audience in a charismatic performance about P.G. Wodehouse’s life.

In the small spaces between audience laughter at the well-timed humour, of which there is lots of, and silence at the more serious, emotional parts, the play is that captivating, you would be able to hear a pin drop. There aren’t many plays you can say that about.

The insufferable biographer who wants to interview and write about his life, gives some insight into how Plummy addressed such people, which brought plenty of humour amongst the ire.
Tenderness, however is shown when it comes to family life, that’s not saccharine, but nonetheless would warm anyone’s heart.
Robert Daws truly embodies Wodehouse’s characteristics and demeanour when bringing him to life, through the late William Humble’s compelling script.

Whether it’s the whimsical, idyllic afternoons, providing great warmth in a type of escapism, to the contrast of some of the poignancy and darkness during the war and what happened later, all is pitch perfect and nuanced through spoken acting and bursts of song throughout.
We mostly hear Robert Daws’ speaking voice in anything he performs in, but it turns out he also has very strong, very pleasant singing voice, which hits all the notes with richness and depth.

Whether you know P.G. Wodehouse or not, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy and see the poignancy, the humour and the elements of wisdom, especially some wise, life affirming words near the end, which keeps this charming play relevant for today.

Whether you need a “pick me up” or having a good day, this show will put a spring in your step by the time it ends.

So you don’t miss this fascinating play, check out further details and how you can get your hands on tickets here: Wodehouse In Wonderland Tickets

#Review of Anti “Yogi” by Bookmarks and Stages by Lou Greenside – Jade Venue #GreensideVenues #EdFringe #Play #Theatre #Yoga #Dance

The Anti “Yogi”

Review by Bookmarks and Stage – Louise Cannon

Think you know Yoga? Think some nice stretches, a bit of deep breathing and creating some shapes, buying a mat and buying into the sports gear is Yoga? Anti Yogi will have you thinking again and enlighten your current thinking and experiences and shows Bhandari’s “Jainist” Indian/American identity and what Yoga truly is.

The Anti “Yogi” is a fascinating show that shows the contrast between the multimillion pound industry the West has created and what it really is in India. The comparison is stark and is illustrated very well through play, yoga, dance.

The performance truly gets across the important points and demonstrated all that I was expecting in a fascinating manner.

My one quibble, is, as much as the majority of the play is done standing up, which works well because everyone can see this, but, the Yoga elements are a bit more challenging to view from the second and third rows. In saying that, it’s an important play depicting that India and the westernised big money industry are at odds with each other. They sit at complete polar opposites, with its original meaning being an entire way of life, focusing on the every part of living and it being more a business with elements that the west have cherry-picked from the practice.

The Anti “Yogi” is for those who practice Yoga and those who do not. There’s plenty to be gained for everyone.

Find out more info about this enlightening play here: The Anti “Yogi”

#Review by Lou of Adele Cliff: Adele, Adele, Adele… Cliff It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions #AdeleCliff @JTTedinburgh Just The Tonic #EdFringe #Comedy

Adele Cliff: Adele, Adele, Adele… Cliff
It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions

Review by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Just The Tonic 13 – 24 Aug 17:05 1 hour

Adele Cliff is a stand-up comedian and has been to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival a few times. She has previously won Dave’s Funniest Jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (Dave, unfortunately is no longer doing this for 2025), UK Pun Champion 2020. Leicester Comedy award nominee – Best New Show 2023.

This was the first time I saw Adele Cliff and I was glad I did. Once she, and the audience warmed up, the show improved. It’s good, more or less, clean, inoffensive comedy you can truly chuckle at. She also, rather refreshingly manages to avoid a “poor me” attitude that you get with some other comedians.

After her groan of a cat joke at the beginning, she found her stride and got off to a better rhythm that got increased audience response. Her anecdotes and stories have good humour about Spec-Savers, Gillette, her family, living arrangements, funerals, her gigs and more… Each story, even the cat one has relatability, so connects, on the whole, well, with the audience.

What is clever is the way how she puts something original in-front of her audience and then later on, picks it up again and links things up and creates new connections with ideas too.

You’re pretty safe on the front row, she isn’t a comedian who particularly picks on her audience.

All in all, it’s pretty feel good comedy and a nice way to spend an hour.

For an evening of laughter, check out more details here: Adele Cliff

#Review of ChristBride by Bebe Cave #BebeCave @ThePleasance #EdFringe #CHRISTBRIDE #Comedy

Bebe Cave: CHRISTBRIDE

review by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Is she a witch or not? What has made Batilda face this predicament she now finds herself in?

Set in Medieval times, Bebe Cave holds her audience in a bubble of laughter and draws you in with her gaze and compelling performance for an hour.

History and modern times is intelligently blended together in a powerhouse of energy of a performance by Bebe Cave, who comes across as absolutely fearless on stage whilst playing Batilda, Knights of the Realm and more characters… She does this with fun, farcical, caricature type comedy, but grounds it with elements of truthfulness and realities that people can also relate to nowadays.

Batilda is at that stage of life where she wants adventure and to break free of the shackles of what is expected of her as a woman. She is coming of age and has strong desires to be different from the rest of her family. She also wants big, radical change in herself and to become a Christbride, which throws up some interesting conversations between her and God and so much more…

To find out what happens to Batilda and if she is a witch or not, check out the Edinburgh Fringe Festival link here: ChristBride

Synopsis

In the dark, deathly world of the Middle Ages, one (annoying) woman strives to find the light. Join Christbride, a female mystic in a world of male dullards, as she escapes from a life of monotony to a life of devotion. Bebe Cave presents her debut character comedy show. In a time where people believe anything, Christbride is a wild historical farce about what happens when you believe in yourself a little too much. Previous Praise: ***** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk). ***** (TheRecs.co.uk). ***** (BookmarksandStages.home.blog). ***** (@theatrebab, Instagram). **** (List). **** (EdFestMag.com).

#Review by Bookmarks and Stages – Lou of The Uncrackable Case @FrontRoomProd @theLBT #EdFringe #EdinburghFringeFestival #TheUncrackableCase @ThePleasance

The Uncrackable Case
By Front Room Productions
Lawrence Batley Theatre

Review by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Was Humpty Dumpty pushed or did he actually just fall? Is Jill from Jack and Jill fame innocent or guilty? That’s the question being answered in this humorous, fun courtroom musical. Meet Red (Little Red Riding Hood) and the Big Bad Wolf, one on the defender’s side and one for the victim’s side. The witnesses from various childhood nursery rhymes and stories are then brought in at various points.

The way tech is used to create some tension and surround sound is used to great effect. This and the courtroom scenes are where this musical has its strengths, compared to some of the flashbacks created, although the bridge between the past and the present is succinct.

The songs are mix genre with great harmonies and lovely voices.

Interestingly, although the audience rating is 8 plus, the audience when I saw this was mostly made up of adults of all ages. There’s something for everyone in this from the fun songs to a bit of satirical humour and social commentary, which creates interest for the adults, as well as a being a piece of nostalgia with a twist.

You can see this play at the Pleasance Courtyard and find the details here:
The Uncrackable Case