The 2022 Edinburgh International Festival Fringe promises to be like nothing we’ve seen in decades, or perhaps ever. The first full staging since pandemic restrictions were lifted, there’s been an overwhelming appetite from performers to get back into the maze of pub function rooms, re-purposed cold stores, and for the select few: fully functioning theatres.
In this series of #SNAPCHATZ, I put 3 questions to artists scheduled to appear this year, and ask you, dear reader, to consider each for your August delectations.
Matthew Zajac on Nightlands from Dogstar Theatre Company
📍 Summerhall – Old Lab
📅 Aug 3-14
🕖 8:45pm
🕖 Running time (approx.): 1 hour
👥 Written by: Jack MacGregor
👥 Performed by: Dogstar Theatre
💰 From £8.00
🎂 12+
🎭 Wheelchair accessible
Who are you/what is your show?
I am Matthew Zajac, Artistic Director of Dogstar Theatre Company. Our Fringe show is Nightlands by Jack MacGregor at Summerhall.
What sets your show apart from the rest?
There will be few shows on the Fringe, if any, that have such topical relevance. This is a psychological thriller about the mentality which has spawned today’s murderous Russian regime. It’s set in an abandoned Soviet mining settlement on Svalbard in the winter of 1999, just before Putin became president. It’s essentially an argument between two caretakers in this frozen industrial shell. Sasha yearns for past Russian glory, while Slava looks to the possibilities of a better future. We know how it ends. Only last week, the Russians were threatening Norway over Svalbard as it continues with its deadly combination of humiliation and entitlement. Jack was inspired to write it after visiting Svalbard.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
I’m glad to say that Dogstar seems to attract a broad spectrum of people to its shows, especially when we tour. People from all walks of life who want to be entertained and who also want to grapple with the big questions facing us. This is my ideal audience. You could also throw in a variety of forward-thinking notables like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, George Monbiot, Miriam Gurba Serrano, Andriy Kurkov, Steve McQueen, Sanna Marin and, of course, Volodomyr Zelenskiy.
Kaye Adams on How to Be 60: Live!
📍 Gilded Balloon Teviot – Debating Hall
📅 Aug 23-24
🕖 2:00pm
🕖 Running time (approx.): 1 hour
👥 Created by: Kaye Adams
💰 From £15.00
🎂 16+
🎭 Wheelchair Accessible
Who are you/what is your show?
We are Kaye Adams and Karen Mackenzie and the show is the first ever live edition of our podcast ‘how to be 60’
What sets your show apart from the rest?
About 40 years
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
To be honest anyone with a pulse is welcome. You get to this age and you learn that beggars can’t be choosers
Vanity von Glow and Beth Brickenden on Drag Queen Wine Tasting
📍 Mono Restaurant – The Wine Bar
📅 Aug 4-14, 16-28
🕖 12:00 midday
🕖 Running time (approx.): 1 hour 30 minutes
👥 Created by: Vanity von Glow and Beth Brickenden
🎂 18+
🎭 Wheelchair Accessible Venue
Who are you/what is your show?
We are drag queen Vanity von Glow and sommelier Beth Brickenden, bringing Drag Queen Wine Tasting to Mono Restaurant this Fringe!
What sets your show apart from the rest?
This is the first ever drag queen wine tasting event ever to come to the Fringe! You get to taste wine whilst being entertained, and even a tasty snack thrown in for good measure.
Your dream audience turns up to see the show, who’s watching?
Celine Dion is the ultimate diva, so we’d want her swigging away at some wine!
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