Random Fringe night out

Did some work, then met English Rose for some Fringe stuff. She ducked out before the final one, which I met Cyclops to see.

Fringe show #36: Ladystache
These girls were so nice, so likeable, and they had clearly put a bit of effort into their act. Sadly it wasn't funny though. Thing is, it wasn't offensive or inappropriate or completely off the mark. It just didn't really have anything much funny in it. I don't really know what to make of a bunch of entirely neutral sketches, I've not seen anything like it before. One of the girls had some great accents and facial expressions, and the other did an excellent Bjork impression. Otherwise... well... erm...
Rating: 2*

Fringe show #37: Breathless: A Dramatic Cantata
So I really have no idea what this was about. I think something around loss and 'the show must go on'. It was multimedia and multidisciplinary, with singing and spoken word and physical theatre and film, plus throw in a random bondage-looking cape, some partial nudity and a sparkly sequinned jacket. It was laced with doom, very dark and very self indulgent. If you were going to parody a Fringe show this is exactly what you would come up with, and I loved it for that, although it was serious. My rating is slightly inflated to represent this guy's sheer balls for doing something so ridiculous.
Rating: 2.5*

Fringe show #38: The Chris and Paul Show
Chris and Paul performed a series of largely silent sketches which tended to be based around their mischievous and child-like personas. These guys were extremely likable and it worked very very well. The approach felt fresh and different and was often very funny. I loved the balloons, I loved the cookies, I loved the spelling bee, I loved the fire... and they got me on stage which was scary scary. Really good. Liked it.
Rating: 4*

Fringe show #39: 50 Shades! The Musical
Ah 50 Shades. Yes, I've read it. And the sequels. Unlike many of the people in the queue so I have no idea what they made of it. This was a one-off performance which was a rehearsed musical performed by a bunch of people who usual do improv musicals. It was funny and cringey and very well received by the audience. The singing was good, the costumes were silly, the dancing was fine, and the cast really threw themselves into it. Content-wise, the books have so much to parody that there was plenty of material there for them to work with. They did a decent job, and there was some intelligent stuff in there about the power dynamic in the Ana/Christian relationship and some amusing bits that were embellished for comic effect. Loved the song where Christian explained how he likes to be when he is in bed with someone. However it did seem remiss that they failed to mention Ana's inner goddess or the apex of her thighs. Instead they put a lot of emphasis on her... er... bottom... which those who have read the books will know is barely mentioned, along with a particular act which might relate to that area which is certainly not undertaken in the series and is probably mentioned once in the context of hard limits. Anyway, I laughed a lot and I could have watched it for longer so overall it was pretty good.
Rating: 4*

MrsCyclops recommends:

- The Chris and Paul Show

Fringe stats:

- Total shows: 39
- Total cost: £90.75
- Average cost per show: £2.33