Edinburgh Fringe: Mission Complete
Just before the Fringe started I set myself a challenge…and I think I just about did it. Here’s what I set out to do…
1. See as many shows as I can, at least one per day, doubling up where I have to miss a day - Yup! 35 shows (plus a food festival, an abandoned show, and a Friends of the Fringe reception) over the course of 26 days, means I managed an average of 1.36 shows per day.
2. See things I wouldn’t normally see (as well as some I normally would - I do want to enjoy myself) - Yup! I Witnessed a load of stand up and comedy (good and bad) which is my normal first choice, but also caught a few plays, some cabaret, a bit of jazz, a grown up circus, some puppets, and a rubbish magician.
3. Give an honest and frank review of the shows I see, and places I’ve been - Yup! See the blog.
4. Take a shed load of pictures - Yup! In addition to the pictures here I took a large number of selfies and tried to capture how amazing Edinburgh looks during the Fringe.
5. Make this Fringe one to remember - Yup! It’s certainly not one I’ll forget in a hurry; terrible shows, great shows, awesome nights/days out with friends, colleagues, family, and of course Karen my long suffering girlfriend (who didn’t moan once about my festival obsession), a lot of drinks, gorgeous summer weather, a tonne of rain, and a lot of street food. August has been amazing.
Having had a week to reflect on my Fringe antics, and had my first week being able to spend time in my livingroom since July…I thought I’d round up some of the highlights/lowlights of this challenge, and compile my very own awards list…
Here we go…
Best Show
Winner: ‘Oh My Dad - Christ on a Bike.’ - the more I think about it the more I want to see it again.
Runner-Up: ‘Susie Yousseff - Check Yousseff Before You Wreck Yousseff’ - exceeded all expectations.
Worst Show
Winner: ‘Get Fit with Bruce Willis’ - still recovering from spending a Saturday morning watching this. The flashbacks should stop eventually.
Runner-Up: ‘La Clique - Encore!’ - should have come with a warning. Mentally scarred for life.
Best Booze Garden
Winner: The Pleasance Courtyard - great for a celeb spot, plenty of loos, good selection of drinks and quick service.
Runner-Up: Edinburgh Gin Garden St Andrews Square - when the sun is shining this is the place to be.
Best Street Food
Winner: We Sell Dumplings (Assembly George Square Gardens) - saved me from falling into a drunken coma more than once, only 3 quid for 6 dumplings!
Runner-Up: Harry’s Grill (Underbelly George Square) - burgers. Grr.
Best Venue
Winner: George Square Gardens Piccolo - superb atmosphere in here.
Runner-Up: The Attic @ The Mash House - air conned, comfortable, and just the right size.
Worst Venue
Winner: The Pleasance Grand - too big to capture the atmosphere of the Fringe, but the sweatiest venue I encountered.
Runner-Up: Espionage - A free venue granted, but even the bar in there is terrible, warm beers all round.
Outstanding Low Point
Winner: Slipping on a flyer and doing the splits. Nothing says humiliation like being mistaken for a drunk lying on the ground, when in fact you can’t stand up because your legs have just gone through a trial separation.
Runner-Up: Having a panic attack in the dark. I should really have been prepared for this, but it seems nothing could prepare me for panicking I had gone blind and hyperventilating in the pitch black. Credit to Karen for getting me the hell out of there.
Outstanding High Point
All of it. See you all next year.







