Another of this year's most prevailing themes is Theatre's cousin in passion, Sports. We here at Corr Blimey have dug out the sweatbands, strapped on the helmets, and dusted off the mats in preparation for this busy Festival Fringe season. And i…  | By Dominic Corr on July 1, 2024 | Another of this year's most prevailing themes is Theatre's cousin in passion, Sports. We here at Corr Blimey have dug out the sweatbands, strapped on the helmets, and dusted off the mats in preparation for this busy Festival Fringe season. And in prepar for darting around the city, we think it's best to Have a Gander at the great sporting stories and inspirations which bring the adrenaline to this year's Fringe. Below is a selection of the 'these go to' eleven recommendations we have for productions which incorporate sport in their storytelling: featuring a spot of cricket, wrestling, tennis, and plenty of the beautiful game. From now until August kicks off, we'll be releasing our weekly recommendations of the top theatre, comedy, spoken word, film, music, children's theatre, dance, and visual arts available to audiences across all the city's festivals. But this time, rather than focus solely on genre or performance method, we'll be looking at some of the terrific emerging topics from Climate Crisis to Food, Women Who Made Headlines and Contemporary Myths. Come along with us and Have a Gander. If you have a show coming and would like to chat with us about a Q&A or a review, please do get in touch through the 'contact' page where one of the team will get back to you!
Duck It's summer, 20025, and England is preparing to win the Ashes. Meanwhile, Ishmail, a British Indian schoolboy, is about to become the youngest-ever player in his elite public school's First XI cricket team. Setting his sights on a legacy, breaking the school batting record, things are about to heat up. Recipient of the Pleasance's Charlie Hartill Fund 2024, award-winning playwright maatin's Duck is about adolescence, the pressures of competition, and finding your identity in an environment which doesn't cater for differences. Venue 33 - Pleasance Courtyard
Running time - Sixty minutes
July 31st, August 1st-11th, 13th-18th, 20th-26th
Same Team Back after a smash-hit run in December, Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurses' Same Team: A Street Soccer Story, written with the Dundee Women's Street Soccer Team, is a deeply uplifting journey through the highs and lows of homeless football, and one group of women's chances at winning the Homeless World Cup. A joyful story of the women behind the kickabout, one of community and teamwork, featuring returning cast members, the Critic's Award for Theatre in Scotland nominated show returns as part of this year's Travfest. Have a Gander of our review of this cracking piece, performed at the Traverse Theatre back in December 2023 Venue 15 - Traverse Theatre
Running time - Eighty minutes
August 3rd-4th, 6th-11th, 13th-18th, 20th-25th
Tennis Wimbledon, 1980. It's the ultimate duel: Björn CNU versus DON McEnroe. It's a nerve-wracking battle of finger knitting, tango wrestling, dirty tricks and the best 80s style the Fringe has to offer, Tennis is an action-packed and poetic search for a true fighter's spirit. Bringing slapstick, movement, and a spot of bloodsport to the ZOO Southside this Festival Fringe, this gorgeous dance piece attempts to unravel the net in which our two anti-heroes seem to be tangled. Venue 82 - ZOO Southside - Main House
Running time - Sixty minutes
August 13th-18th, 20th-25th (14:30)
Fan/Girl Unearthing a long-forgotten obsession with football, Bryony wondered why all the girls they had grown up with, suddenly stopped playing once they hit their teens. Bryony Bryce's Fan/Girl takes us back to 1998: David Beckham wears a sarong; Geri Halliwell is leaving the Spice Girls, and somewhere in England, Bryony pretends to be Eric Cantona. A tongue-in-cheek trek through British adolescence, set against a backdrop of 90s pop and football, director Ben Target packs the show with banging tunes, comedy, clown work, drag, and audience interaction. Venue 26 - Summerhall Demonstration Room
Running time - Sixty minutes
August 1st-11th, 13th-18th, 20th-26th (12:10)
The Ghost of White Hart Lane John White, star of Spurs and Scotland, was one of the greatest footballers of the 1960s, however, in July 1964, he was tragically struck by lightning and killed at 27. Sharing John's cheeky humour, this show follows the humble beginnings of John's early days growing up outside of Edinburgh, through to football fame. It also follows the story of his son, Rob, who was just five months old when his father died. Having premiered at Spurs Stadium, this follows on from the Sunday Times bestseller by Rob White and Julie Welch. Venue 302 - Underbelly Bristo Square
Running time - Sixty minutes
July 31st, August 1st-11th, 13th-26th (13:25)
Chokeslam A true knockout solo show about one woman's love of pro wrestling. Acclaimed comedian Tegan Verheul's one-woman show, Chokeslam, leaves no Stone (Cold) unturned in their raw autobiographical debut which tackles friendship, heartbreak, and the therapeutic, and healing, power of bloodsport. Part confessional, part vigorous oral account of sports entertainment's greatest matches and their most loved characters, this humorous, and unexpectedly touching, show will make all audiences a wrestling fan. Venue 8 - Assembly George Square
Running time - Sixty minutes
July 31st, August 1st-10th, 12th-25th (17:50)
The Comedy Games with Coach Mon It's not all for the adults, as Coach Mon is pumped and ready for a spectacular sporting extravaganza. There's just one issue – her athletes have vanished! After a gold-medal run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Comedy Games needs some new contestants. Think you can step up to the mark? An Olympic-inspired kid's clown show, packed with music and sporting events like eye-brow push-ups and slow-motion running will have your little ones moving, grooving, and dreaming. Plus, you'll leave with your own custom-made medal! Get ready for some serious silliness at this frivolously fun family show this Festival Fringe. Venue 9 - The Space @ Niddry Street
Running time - Forty-five minutes
August 2nd-10th, 12th-20th (11:00)
Adam Riches: Jimmy Jimmy Connors was one of the best tennis players of all time. Then, in 1991, he was getting annihilated at the US Open by his arch-nemesis little brother. What happened next was one of sportings greatest ever comebacks, when Jimmy, fuelled by spectres of his turbulent past, winds the clock back to remind him what life would be like if you rattled the cage one last time. Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner Adam Riches makes his Summerhall debut with this fast-paced, funny and intensely physical ride, deep inside the mind of an ageing, swaggering alpha. Venue 26: Summerhall
Running time - Sixty minutes
August 1st-11th, 13th-18th, 20th-26th (21:30)
The Shadow Boxer Portsmouth's most promising featherweight boxer races towards his ultimate goal – competing in the 1968 Olympic Games and proving himself as a true champion. But can anyone control how their story will be told in an uncertain future? Venue 9: The Space @ Niddry Street
Running time - Fifty minutes
August 2nd-10th, 12th-20th (22:20)
Singin' I'm No a Billie, She's a Tim One of Scotland's most successful touring theatre productions, NLP Theatre Company are back with a brand-new re-write of the original show (which also runs at the Festival), this time with an all-female cast. Singin I'm No a Billy She's a Tim will have you laughing and crying so hard, you'll be begging for full-time. Join Billie and Timmy on their journey of discovery. Are you singing their tune? Venue 150- Pleasance at EICC
Running time - Seventy-five minutes
July 31st, August 4th-7th, 12th-14th, 18th, 20th-21st (18:00)
Interested in being featured? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we're always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming 'Have A Gander' | | | |
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