'A feat of passion, discipline and stamina' Suzanne Miller
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is over for another year, and this year's, the first to be properly out of the shadow of the pandemic has possibly been our busiest ever, resulting in over 70 shows in association with C Venues, which Robert joined as an associate producer for the season.
Catch up with our shows in detail below...
A re-imagined tribute to the life of writer Katherine Mansfield in her centenary year attracted attention from as far away as New Zealand, the only British show to feature in the KM23 centenary site listings and spotlit in the newsletter from her House & Garden in Wellington. Two Tigers made the top 12 Fringe Review List from 172 Fringe musicals and operas, garnered a coveted 5 stars from MusicalTalk (a podcast with writer Sue Casson will be broadcast later this autumn) and won enthusiastic audience reviews. An invitation has been extended by the Katherine Mansfield Society to include songs from the show as part of their centenary celebrations in Fontainebleau this autumn.
Two Tigers leading lady Lily Casson was excited to bring her own 'relaxing, delightful and beautifully sung cabaret show' (Broadway Baby 4 stars) I Heart Musicals to the stage on selected dates throughout the festival and won plaudits from The Scotsman for her 'beautiful singing voice.'
Lily also appeared alongside other acts at C's Festival Music Nights, joining her fellow cast members from Two Tigers and offering preview songs from her own show. For one night only Sue Casson & The Brannick Academy reunited on stage for a set of songs, whilst Robert Blackmore made his debut as Clarence Posit, acting as a memorable compere for the show.
The very first season of C's The Eazy Club - kicking off an evening of entertainment at C Aquila on the Mile - was put together by English Cabaret's artistic director Tom Blackmore. He led a popular series of discussions prompted by C's creative programme of shows, including climate change, identity, the female creative voice and the role of art in universal human rights,
Highlighted by the Fringe Society in their pre-Fringe line-up, the return of our topical song cycle Dreams of Peace & Freedom about the birth of modern human rights for a handful of live performances alongside C's online fringe was featured in Scottish Legal News. More performances are planned for later this autumn.
Tom Blackmore sourced and directed this year's Macbeth-inspired late show at C - Shakespeare Up Late - A Right Royal Visit, winning stars and approbation for ''harnessing the energy in a 'freewheeling chaotic and anarchic' show. (AllEdinburghTheatre.com)