The Timothy Bile Show @The Edinburgh Fringe

The ThreeWeeks review of The Timothy Bile Show:

This attempted spoof of Jeremy Kyle et al starts off well, with an accurate portrayal of the sort of stuff that fills such programs; abusive boyfriends, girlfriends sleeping around, unexpected pregnancy and girls getting outrageously drunk. The best actor is the lead, but no one else shines. Too much emphasis is placed on the anger of the guests (telling each other to shut up at frequent intervals) and not enough on the public's need to watch such interactions, nor on the reasons for the host's involvement, It's a shame, because these are more interesting and are also the things the play had intended to explore. It's no satire of popular culture, however much shouting there is.

theSpaces on the Mile@the Radisson, 6 - 21 Aug (not 8, 15), 7.05pm, £6.00 - £7.00, fpp 297

tw rating: 1/5

The original review is here.

A Pirate's Life For Me! @ the Edinburgh Fringe

The ThreeWeeks review of Act II Theatre Company's Treasure Island, a children's show:

It's not just the 'Treasure Island' rip-off of a plot that lacks magic in this underpowered children's show. There is a plot device (which sounds magical) towards the end that really belongs in a fairy tale, not a pirate story; unfortunately, the lengthy songs don't allow time for that story to really develop. To be fair to the cast, they try hard to involve the children, giving them a vote on all the important decisions along the way, plus, most of the actors double up their roles, and do it in a clever way; they haven't cleared up all of the flaws involved, however. This show might be okay for your six-year-old, but don't expect anything magical.

tw rating: 2/5