#backrow presents

15th August

Backrow Presents... (@Banshee Labyrinth, 21.45, Free)

This seemed appealing as the principle behind it was showing an old B-Movie in a small backroom cinema along with live commentary from comedians.  So far, so Mystery Science Theater 3000.  The film on the night I went was Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, a 1964 schmaltzy film often considered one of the worst ever made.  Part of me thought that this would make rich pickings for humour, but on further consideration, it doesn't take so many comedic chops to take the piss out of something so bad to begin with.  The movie (albeit cut down a lot to fit in with the time slot) was indeed quite amusing.  The commentators unfortunately were not, and I left thinking that I'd rather just watch the film and make my own observations.  Internally.

Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana Sit in a F*cking Yurt at 11pm and Provide Comedy and Commentary to Bad Wrestling Matches (@Stand In The Square, 23.00, £8)

I've listened/watched Brendon Burns for quite some time and this was one of two shows of his I went to.  Despite often skipping his wrestling-based podcasts (as I know little of wrestling) this was among the best shows I saw while in Edinburgh, predominantly to do with the guest he had on that night: JESSE VENTURA, professional wrestler and former governor of Massachusetts.

I felt a brief frisson as the name was said, and then from my right entered James Adomian made up as Ventura.  OK, so it was an imitation, but a committed and incredibly funny one.  Youtube offers a clip of something similar a few years back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QLh4SCclkM

Staying in character for the duration of the show, Adomian had Burns and Cabana in stitches, and this was intermingled with old wrestling footage that was surprisingly entertaining even for someone not versed in the culture such as myself.  Top marks.

16th August

Authors Live: Cackle along with Julian Clary and meet The Bolds! (BBC at the Fringe, 11.00)

Perhaps I might not normally go to a literary event aimed at children but this was free so what the hell.  Julian Clary and illustrator David Roberts introduced their characters the Bolds, a family of hyenas attempting to live in secret within regular society.  Despite the context of the event, Clary still managed to be filthy at times, and in response to a child's question about other books he'd written strongly recommended that they avoid his adult books, as well as his autobiography A Young Man's Passage. Roberts entertained the crowd with live illustration of the characters, with extra suggestions coming from kids in the audience.

Zero Quest (@Silk, 13.50, Free)

Comedian Calum McInnes invites his audience to join him on a Choose You Own Adventure show which takes different turns based on audience suggestion.  On the day I attended, I felt significant involvement due to a smallish audience.  Entertaining but a larger pool of suggestees might help improve it.

Australia Is Fucked (@The Library Bar, 15.30, Free)

Kieron Butler is Australian – Quelle surprise – and he's angry about a lot of things.  Initially this show dealt in a lot of well-trodden ground by visiting Australian comics: it's hot there, being coarse, it's a long way away but towards the end the show displayed more promise when genuine anger showed through.  If that could be finessed then I think it could be more of a draw.

Guy Montgomery and Rose Matafeo Are Friends (@Espionage (Laughing Horse), 16.30, Free)

I wanted to see Guy Montgomery as I've been a keen listener of his (and Tim Batt's) Worst Idea Of All Time podcast.  Guy didn't disappoint, with energetic flights of fancy and and angry shouting keeping the energy up with skits about deities flat-sharing, as well as his thrusting 'hip dip'.  Rose Matafeo passed me by a bit somewhat but had some good moments.  I sensed a bit of uncertainty in her delivery that might have put me off a bit.

Chella Quint – Adventures In Menstruating (@Stafford Centre, 19.30, Free)

Part comedy, part activism, all educational.  Chella Quint charts the history of menstruation becoming something shameful in Western society with songs, slides and twister.  I was the only guy in this particular perfomance but it definitely was something for everyone.  When the guitar was picked up, I did have a bit of a wobble however but it held together well.

Everything Is Milk (@Counting House, 21.15, Free)

Two comedians, Alistair Beckett-King and Nick Elleray shared an extremely hot and humid attic at the Counting House.  First was Beckett-King, playing up every bit of his gangly ginger frame to cover veganism and his resemblance to John the Baptist.  He was perhaps one of my favourite acts of the time I was there.  Next was Nick Elleray, an Australian beta male with a witty and downplayed sense of humour.  A good combination of acts.

17th August

Mark Thomas – Trespass (@Summerhall, 17.00, £10)

The umpteenth time I've seen Thomas (I reckon I'm a fan) and this 'work in progress' seems anything but.  The theme is the privatisation of public space and what one can do about it through direct action.  Shock horror – I really enjoyed it and I'll probably see it again on it's run next year.

Cult of Dave (@Liquid Rooms, 18.35, Free)

Dave Alnwick does magic tricks, but more than that it's a rapid fire series of mental tricks that he presents with a geeky flourish.  Most impressive is his reading of people in the audience and his mathematical ability. Immensely likeable to boot.

Sing For Your Life (@Underbelly, 20.40, £11)