Fringe Benefits

Category: Theatre, Comedy.

August can seem like a quiet time for theatres. It’s a time for them to make repairs, get ready for the new season and have a little rest and relaxation. But even if the venues did want to forego their summer holidays, they’d have a tough time getting anyone to appear, because August means one place for performers; Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh International Festival, all the festivals of Literature, Film and Art that happen simultaneously in the city, and the arguably even-more-famous Edinburgh Fringe combine to create the world’s biggest celebration of the arts every year.

But with over 2000 shows, 18’000 performers and 1.8 million tickets sold last year, quality control can become something of a problem. So if you want the range of brilliant new comedy and theatre, but don’t fancy shelling out for an expensive hotel and going elbow-to-elbow with half a million tourists and almost as many street performers on the battle along the Royal Mile, we’ve got the perfect suggestion; wait until the Festival comes to you.

Throughout the Autumn the finest comedians and performers will be bringing their festival-hardened shows to Greater Manchester, so you can get the Edinburgh experience with nothing more arduous than a ride on the Metrolink.

One of the first post-festival shows to hit town is Busting Out, an Aussie comedy-cabaret that’s already proved hugely popular with audiences reduced to tears by acts of mammary manipulation from the all-female cast. Part eye-opening, part eye-watering it’s the kind of show that’s leaving even male reviewers confused but amused, and just the kind of alternative show that finds a launchpad in Edinburgh. It’s at The Lowry on September 2nd.

Comedy is perhaps the festivals’ biggest draw, and the cream of crop are heading our way, and specifically to The Lowry, from September onwards. From big names like Sean Lock (September 25th) and Rhod Gilbert (September 3rd & 4th) to cult comedians like Rich Hall (12th November & 12th December) and Stewart Lee (23rd October) there are plenty of chances to test the resilience of your funny bone. Edinburgh is known for providing wannabe comedians with an education in stagecraft, and recent graduates from this school include Kevin Bridges, whose rise to the comedy prefect’s lounge has been swift and hugely merited (he’s in town on the 3rd and 10th October). But there are others worth catching like ever-so-slightly-twisted comedy magician Pete Firman (19th September), whose dark humour and modern style have won him plenty of attention and TV appearances, but who will benefit hugely from spending his fourth year in Edinburgh, perfecting a show that may see him graduate to playing with the bigger boys.

Perhaps top of the Edinburgh class over the last few years has been native Scotsman Danny Bhoy. A charming and naturally charismatic comedian, with more than a hint of cynicism shining through, his festival shows have been consistent sell-outs over the last few years, and he’s major box office in Australia, Canada and even the US. So maybe this will be the year when England finally takes him to heart?

It’s not just The Lowry who get all the laughs though; monthly comedy nights at The Met in Bury and The Waterside in Sale have seen plenty of pre-Edinburgh material given a run out by the likes of Seymour Mace and John Bishop in recent weeks. The Octagon in Bolton presents a double-bill of comedy featuring two comedians displaying very different attitudes to the Scottish showcase. Ali Cook is a comic magician whose dark humour and genuinely astounding magic is right now winning 4 and 5 star reviews on the Fringe. In Bolton, Cook is appearing alongside Milton Jones whose career received a healthy boost from appearing in Edinburgh, although the Radio 4 regular and 1996 Perrier Award ‘Best Newcomer’ winner hasn’t been back there for 5 years – see for yourself which approach pays off on September 4th.

It’s not all comedy North of the border though. If you’re scared of missing out on the Edinburgh International Book Festival it’s worth bearing in mind our own Manchester Literature Festival is coming in October (which is Manchester’s turn to be the festival capital of the country). And if it’s theatre you’re scared of missing out on there’s nowhere better to be. The Royal Exchange will be hosting a number of shows in its always-interesting programme of Studio Theatre events, but perhaps the one to catch of them all will be The Author.

Described as ‘Edinburgh’s most talked-about play’ by The Guardian, The Author is a piece in which the audience sits in two banks of seats, looking at each other and finding that the cast are sat amongst them. Audiences in Edinburgh are finding, as those who saw the show at its previous London run did, that their own moral compass is called into question. Shocking, inventive and thought-provoking it’s a must-see for anyone who’s ever wondered how far is too far when it comes to art.

With the best of the fest finding its way to us over the coming months, and genuinely exciting new seasons just waiting to get started, perhaps August is a time to be excited about the arts after all.

Check out a selection of artists and shows below who will be heading to Manchester after the Edinburgh festival season is over.

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