Reel to real: a show-stopping Pleasance preview finale
Up relatively bright and early on a Saturday morning (especially given that it was the first weekend of the Fringe), the Pleasance Press Launch was around to present us with some of the highlights of the venue’s programme for this forthcoming month.
Host for the event was a lively Stephen K Amos, who liked what the capital has done with that single tram on Prince’s Street – apparently the motionless carriage shows locals ‘what they could have won’, though he feigned indignation at being ignored in venue director Anthony Alderson’s notes in the Glasgow Comedy Festival programme listing some of this year’s ‘renowned’ line-up. However, appearing in Edinburgh after just filming for his own BBC 2 sitcom, Amos doesn’t really have too much to worry about at the moment…
After the ballroom glitz and glamour of Soho Stories had kicked things into gear, an immediate highlight was showcased in the unassuming youthful shape of Bo Burnham, the erudite singer-songwriter still in his teens – really? Really????? – reminiscent of Ben Folds with his spritely piano skills and sharp lyricism.
He then progressed onwards and upwards to some stand-up to deflect any accusations that his use of music is gimmicky, invoking the teachings of Socrates and work of Dali as he brought out the belly laughs in a decidedly off-kilter and intelligent manner.
Taking to the stage next, Nina Conti also shined, her deft skills as a ventriloquist showing off great comic timing as she brought an endearing Scottish granny out of her suitcase, the comedienne’s observational skills working wonders. Audience member Alan was brought onto the stage, who apparently worked for charity, provoking a lovely response from the eldery puppet of: “Good on you dear, that’s depressing but very holy…” The rubbery OAP’s stupendous psychic skills were then showcased - it was as though somebody was providing their eyes for her – before she was unceremoniously shoved back into her bag.
Reginald D Hunter is so loquacious and laidback and good-humoured that he’s like the best friend you wish you had, but realise you’re not really good enough for. He waxed lyrical about the ridiculous notion that “men like a challenge” when it comes to the opposite sex, while also noting that the Edinburgh Fringe is number one for comedy, with “number two so far behind it should be number three”.
There were a couple of musical acts to intersperse to comedy, showbiz veteran Peter Straker singing a moving Randy Newman number about Louisiana, and crooning sex kitten Frances Ruffelle also on hand as a reminder of what lies beyond the world of laughs.
The finale and showstopper was to be Reel to Real: The Movie Musical, except that an unfortunate technical hitch saw a sizeable section of the crowd scurry out – those whose lives are evidently so important that a small delay to the last act of an already impressive cavalcade of performers was evidently too much for them to bear.
Whatever the reason, they certainly missed out as this technicolour collision of live dance and vintage modern movies clashed mesmerically. Though it would take the entire show to figure out whether it’s be a total success, seeing Gene Kelly being swept about the stage on a screen to Singing in the Rain – while doubled by a tip-toed onstage artiste – was certainly something to behold. Ah, revelling in life’s joys despite the drizzle, what else is the Fringe about?
