back from edinburgh fringe

Yes, we are back from a month worth of poetry debauchery and hangovers. Time at the Festival is a thick liquid concept - all days lasting for weeks, everyday the same, the month feeling like an afternoon...


...the SHORTFUSE shows went well, considering the early time slot, and audiences with an open mind (by that I mean audiences that didn't have an expectation of what a 'poetic spoken word' show was prior to the lights down) were converted as illustrated by reviews posted online:


Ian Thomas 19 Aug 2003


Go see them - NOW!


Poetry with Sticks of Rock, Magic tricks and Electric guitars? This trio set me up for a great day - go see. NOW. go on. Nathan will go far, Bette's already been, and tells a great tale about it. Dean? hmmm - the jury's out on Dean, bit more variety perhaps?




Gordy Chortles 16 Aug 2003


If i say its a poem then it is ...


I loved these 3 witty and intelligent poets and it really set me up for the day.




captain futility and family 15 Aug 2003


stunning


Bette O'Callaghan - david lynch's bitterer sister. Dean Wilson - little boy lost. Nathan Penlington - 21st century roger mcgough in harry potter's rack-stretched body. words of wisdom provided by all three. go listen.


 


Three Weeks were also converted to the spokenword:


Nathan Penlington, an act truly worthy of praise! His section is a smooth blend of comedy, storytelling and poetry. His writing and stage presence are both enjoyable and understated.


SHORTFUSE also performed in the 5065 Lift at the Pleasance Courtyard. The largest audience we had was 11, the lift holds 12 max...almost, almost a sell out show!! Audience members had to fill out comment cards upon leaving the lift, they gave us some great reviews:


Darlings, your poetry was to die for! ***** - Sarah, Nottingham
Excellent, very funny and an uplifting experience ***** p.s Do you do private parties - Carol, Glasgow
Poetry should be intimate and it doesn't get more intimate than in a lift **** Great! - Joan, London
V different styles (the 1st guy Nathan was great!) V good! *** Lindsay Cundall, Leeds
Humm, different! Bette is sharp & funny. Nathan that is a nice scarf, enough pretending you are a bastard. I'm glad I experienced it - Aelish O'Rork, Fort William
Bette O'Callaghan - very good + funny. But I'm glad I'm not her daughter! Dean Wilson - too much like the 'the Streets'. Nathan Penlington - get over it, it's only a scarf! **** Fiona Grant, Glenrothes
A delightful + amusing 1/2 hour. Nice contrast in styles. **** - R. Gren, Hull
A gang of moral degenerates ***** - Tim, London
Funny, but realistic *** Natalie Orbaum, Leeds
Very good + entertaining - Anon
Excellent show - I liked the lady the most! *** - Deirdre, Wrexham
Personal poetry, honest, intimate and relevant. A great experience! *** - A
We also had the misfortune to share the lift with a Scotsman reviewer and a claustrophobic woman.


 


Overall the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2003 was a good year for poetry and storytelling, with comics from Owen O'Neil and Daniel Kitson paving the no man's land between pure stand up and performance poetry, Def Jam Poetry illustrating the differance between UK and USA poetics, John Hegley running ahead with the baton for UK performance poetry with sell out shows at the Assembly Rooms, and Express Excess, Aisle16, Big Word and SHORTFUSE all flying the flag for the range of performers and performance styles that fall together in the same bracket - some of who are clearly pushing outwards into other realms.


Diversity is always worth celebrating.


 
28.8.03 14:19