We took the train from Stirling to Edinburgh and arrived mid morning, in time to pick up our pre booked Fringe tickets and also visit Fran and her McAnaraks buttons in the West End Fair.
After visiting the fair we headed over to the first of four Fringe shows. To
First stop was to see Helen Keen - It's Rocket Science at the Gilded Balloon. The show was great - loved the puppetry, however being in a small dark venue with no windows or air conditioning, with 20 other strangers, I did discover that I suffer from claustrophobia. So a lot of calming thoughts and tic tacs (they seem to help?!) and I managed to get through the 60mins of being in a confined space, in the dark, being too hot and feeling panicky. Perhaps having beer beforehand was a bad idea too.
Then it was off to Edinburgh's finest drum shop for some retail therapy, followed by venue number two....Pleasance Courtyard. On the way to this venue, while waiting to cross a road, I heard a male Welsh voice say that he 'was going to pop into the watch shop to get his watch fixed'. On turning around, I found the voice belonged to Rhod Gilbert. THEEE RHOD GILBERT. Of course at this point I get all fangirl and can't speak, let alone cross the road....but I managed to cross and proceeded to try to hide behind a few branches in the hope I can snap a picture or two when he comes out. So this next bit it a bit like, Where's Rhod...
Really...are you sure....??
Not that convincing huh...yeah I was disappointed too. Ah well, I thought.
So moving on up to Pleasance, we found a lot of peeps in the Courtyard. Having located the Cellar for Jessica Ransom's - Millions show, we duly waited outside. At this point, I'm thinking the 'Cellar' is probably not going to be great for the claustrophobia. Let's face it, nothing says claustrophobia like a small dark windowless space. Great.
So whilst contemplating this and ensuring tic tac supplies are to hand, I glance up to someone (Liverpudlian) asking me if this was the queue for the cellar. 'Yeah, it is' I murmur back, looking up slowly. Then realise that I am addressing John Bishop. He's got sunglasses on and whilst I am busy doing a double take he's grinning at me. Fab! So, what do I say now that doesn't sound completely dumb. That will be nothing then. He was a great sport though and let me take a picture.
Jessica Ransom had an awesome show. I did feel for her when she saw John Bishop in the front row of her gig and did a double take. Seeing as there was about 35 people in the
Before going into the cellar, after seeing John, I turned round to see the Radio 1 recording studio, just above the cellar..and look who is here.
I think maybe Rhod was on Radio 1 that afternoon with Scott Mills, but I can't be sure. Right after I took this picture Sarah Millican came over to talk to Rhod. The remaining pictures did not come out very well, so you'll have to take my word for it!
The third show was with Hardeep Singh Koli called Chat Masala. Hardeep cooked pork and carrot curry for the audience and had four guests on stage whilst he did this, including Arthur Miller and Storm Large. Another great show, touching on some serious topics at times, but also was very amusing at others.
The final show was Chris Addison. More to follow.....
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