#Review by Bookmarks and Stages by Lou of It’s Not Where You Start by Scott Kyle @ThePleasance @INWYSBook #ScottKyle #EdFringe #SpokenWord

It’s Not Where You Start
Performed, Written By Scott Kyle

Review by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Scott Kyle is an award-winning Scottish actor who has worked with many of the greats on the likes of ‘Outlander and even Harrison Ford in a Whisky ad and more… He is also known for ‘Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim’ and ‘Angel’s Share’.

It’s Not Where You Start is spoken word with a difference. It is a mix of Scott Kyle, the creator and who’s life you hear about through his spoken word on stage and through some animation. It’s a different way of showing and telling about life.
The animation elements carry Scott Kyle’s life story along with depth, firmly gives a sense of time and place, conveyed natural articulation in both the voice-over and when he, himself enters the stage. Together, it becomes a compelling talk for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
I will mention here that the animation and voice-over has won awards between 2024 and 2025.

Animation wouldn’t work for every spoken word show, but for this, it does. It brings a different perspective and a depth in which people can truly visualise and imagine certain times in, not just his life, but what was happening socially, especially in Glasgow. You really see how the city has changed since the 70’s/80’s. When it comes to elements of his own life, you get a feel of emotion, which backs up what is said, in-person on the stage, which adds an even stronger. emotive element to this show. There’s also nicely injected humour that gives the deepness and dark times a lift.
The animation is smartly put together, with meaningful words being highlighted in quite an effectively punchy manner. It makes me think of the graphic comic genre in some ways, but with movement.

Scott Kyle gives a brave and assured performance talk, but comes across as very grounded about all his achievements and tells it in a way that shows that you can share achievements, without being precocious or big-headed about it. That you can start in a certain position in life and end up in a completely different place, in this case, a better place than how it all began. The talk is impassioned and heartfelt, which in turn becomes compellingly emotive and inspirational as he talks about his challenging upbringing, discovery and huge changes in his life path that’s created a positivity for this working class guy.

He has a book out called It’s Not Where You Start… which is sold at the show, where you can get it signed and in major bookshops.

He also has other shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including ‘Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim’.

You can see find more details here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/it-s-not-where-you-start

#EdFringe News: Luigi: The Musical – A Dark Comedic Musical With A Viral Response #Theatre #Comedy #Musical #Political #LGBTQ+ #EdFringe

LUIGI: THE MUSICAL

ANNOUNCES EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL RUN AUG 19-23

Dark Comedic Musical With A Viral Response Performing 5 Shows At Just The Tonic / Just The Club / August 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23 at 8pm

Age: 18+ Cost: £10.00

RUN-TIME: 90 minutes

-FRINGE TICKET LINK-

Written by Nova Bradford, Caleb Zeringue, Arielle Johnson and Andre Margatini

Music by Arielle Johnson, Lyrics by Johnson and Bradford

“Truly excellent satire… nearly too hot to touch.” – The Independent

“Hilarious in its irreverence and uncomfortable in the truth-telling under the jokes, Luigi has rightfully drawn the attention of media outlets across the country.” – Broke Ass Stuart

“Luigi: the Musical digs at some of the questions facing American culture today” – SF Gate

“Terrible.” – San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco, CA – Aug 5, 2025 – Luigi: The Musical, the dark comedic musical which has evoked a resounding, viral response since its announcement and has sold out every single one of its performances to date, has decided last-minute to bring its acclaimed show to the Edinburgh Fringe for 5 shows at Just the Tonic/ Just the Club. In many conversations, the team says they’ve been asked many times if they’re going to the Fringe and finally after being offered space and dates, they’re going for it. “We’re thrilled to be making our international debut at the legendary Edinburgh Fringe Festival! We just hope the hash brown humor translates across the pond,” said co-writer and one of the stars of the show, Caleb Zeringue.

The show is a darkly funny one-act musical where healthcare, tech, and celebrity collide in a Brooklyn prison cell. Inspired by the true fact that Luigi Mangione, Diddy and Sam Bankman-Fried, three high-profile public figures were held simultaneously at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, the show is set in a prison cell shared by the disgraced crypto mogul, infamous media executive, and the viral Italian sensation and accused assassin, guarded by one confused Sergeant. What starts as chaos turns into a surreal plan for freedom and unexpected fame. From fan mail to absurd schemes, Luigi discovers what happens when broken people become icons in a broken world. Wild, satirical, and complete with original music, this show asks who we choose to believe in when our institutions fall apart.

Imagining the events of the short time that all three were in the same prison at the same time, Luigi uses absurdist humor and original music to explore corporate greed, public spectacle, and the creation of viral folk heroes in the internet age. Said head writer Nova Bradford, “the show really shines a light on the cultural obsession with downfall and redemption, as well as viral fame and the way violence is packaged and sold to us.” The show has quickly drawn mixed attention from news outlets both excited, inspired, confused, and outraged by what they might imagine the show to be, but now the press can come experience the show for themselves.

-FRINGE TICKET LINK- Cost: £10.00 RUN-TIME: 90 minutes

#Review by Lou of Jess Robinson – Your Song @jessrobinsonofficial @ARedinburgh #GeorgeSquareGardens #PiccoloTent #YourSong #EdFringe #EdFringe25 #Music #Musical #Comedy

Jess Robinson – Your Song

Jess Robinson is known for being on tv programmes such as Dead Ringers and The Last Leg.

Jess Robinson has divas in her head just desperate to get out to sing the tracks of her life, which come from her love and admiration of Elton John. She’s a powerhouse as she belts out songs that pay homage to him, but in various “divas” voices from Billie Holliday to Kate Bush to Britney Spears to Amy Winehouse to Billie Eillish and more…
There’s even an amusing duet involving “Katherine Jenkins” and “Mary Poppins”. As surreal as it sounds, this is a very well put together show, which shows a large range of her impressionist talents. There’s also a bit of funny satire smartly put in there too. When she sings a song straight, she actually has a very listenable singing voice. Whether its her own voice or impersonating someone else’s voice. she has a large vocal range, whether its a popstar or she’s hitting the highest notes of an opera singer.

If you want to see what many female divas sound like singing Elton John songs, then check out more info here for Your Song

Jess Robinson also mentioned she has a book coming out soon. Published by Harper Collins, this biography tells the story of a member of her family in war times and also weaves Jess’s life in here and now in modern day Britain.

#Review by Lou of A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery: The Betray-tors @HighlySuspectUK @SpaceUK #EdFringe #EdinburghFringeFestival #WhatsOnEdin #EdFringe25

A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery: The Betray-tors

review written by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

Most of us have watched The Traitors on tv. The theatre company, Highly Suspect has cleverly taken the idea of it being on stage and ran with it in an interactive, humorous way. Given the popularity of The Traitors on tv, I thought this was a smart idea.
There is a host, who, although isn’t Claudia Winkleman, has some of her traits. There are 3 Betray-tors, who you get to know more about in the game.

Everything has been thought about, such as references to the tv show, such as past team games, contestants, including how some are related or pretending they are someone they’re not. These are all cleverly interwoven into the stories you hear. The twist is, someone is murdered, rather grizzly, off set. It’s up to the audience to piece together clues and solve puzzles to find the killer.

The resources the audience is given is all very nicely organised and from there, it’s fast-paced and there’s a lot to do to solve the clues and to find the murderer. It’s lots of fun to do in teams. It’s okay if you’re alone, someone will let you be part of their team. That’s what happened to me due to an unfortunate circumstance.

A creative mix of entertaining stories are well acted out between each character, intelligently, resembling someone who you could believe would be playing The Traitors. Some are told whilst you also work through the puzzles with the clever choice of music – Danse Macabre (Jonathon Creek theme tune music), playing in the background, adding to the mysterious atmosphere.

From start to finish, A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery – The Betray-tors is pure fun. The sort of highly engaging fun you don’t want to miss out on.

Can you find who the murderer is amongst the Betray-tors? Find out more info here to how you can have a go –
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-highly-suspect-murder-mystery-the-betray-tors

#Review of 1 Moment In Time @S_AlexanderMag @theSpaceUK #1MomentInTime #Magic #EdFringe #EdinburghFringeFestival #EdFringe25

1 Moment In Time –
Sean Alexander – The Confusionist

Review written by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon

1 Moment in Time focuses on just that. A moment in time in people’s lives as Sean Alexander – The Confusionist (a terrific name for a magician, I reckon), pairs this idea with his perfected magic and mentalism.

There is audience participation, which he approaches with warmth and throughout. He holds his own as no one takes an eye off what’s happening on stage.

Many tricks, although not all, are of a familiar type, but wrapped up in original stories that draw you in that bit more, that bit deeper. This is where the magic show really comes into its own. Sean Alexander is a great storyteller. What he tells you is compelling and heart-warming with a bit of wise life affirmation throughout. This, mixed with his magic tricks creates an entertaining, heartfelt show, which at times, tugs on the heartstrings. He packs in a lot into the 1hr slot.

Focusing on the magician’s hands, to study what he was actually doing, including in the close-up magic which is projected onto a screen, I, impressively, couldn’t see anything that would be a “tell” as to how he performed the tricks. He’s very accomplished in what he performs.

The finale was all done rather beautifully, although didn’t quite reach the wow factor. That factor, however, did come a few times earlier in the show in whole audience participation tricks, which I thought was a fun touch, and in performing tricks just himself or with an individual person.

I feel there’s more to come from Sean Alexander – The Confusionist…

You can check out 1 Moment In Time here: 1 Moment In Time

#Review by Lou of All Fired Up: An 80s Mixtape Musical @ARedinburgh #AllFiredUp #1980s #Mixtape #Musical

All Fired Up: An 80’s Mixtape Musical

The 1980’s are back with a bang with this upbeat feel-good musical that will have you joining in some dance moves synonymous of the era.

A burst of colour in the form of leotards and legwarmers and energised 1980’s music exploded onto the stage. Then we see a mother/daughter relationship have the age old argument of music tastes in a relatable generational tale, before time travelling again to the 80’s where older self meets younger self, told in an engaging journey of self-discovery.

The music chosen is wise and clever and sung by a high energy band, re-creating the favoured mix-tape songs, such as Footloose, Heaven Is A Place On Earth, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and more, which intelligently interweave throughout the story.

The songs chosen from the 80’s are still played a reasonable amount on the radio and easily found on streaming services, so many generations can enjoy this.

The actors/singers/dancers lift spirits and whisk their audience into a world of highly entertaining nostalgia with its vibrant, powerfully energetic, fun cast.