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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Fringe theatre reviews: Cheese and Guava or Romeo and Juliet
Five shows from São Paulo bring a dash of Brazilian flair to the Fringe, from an energised musical take on Shakespeare to a domestic drama played by blind actors in total blackout conditions. By Fiona Shepherd Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... THEATRE Cheese and Guava or Romeo and Juliet ★★★☆☆ Summerhall (Venue 26) until 25 August What's in the Kitchen ★★★☆☆ Assembly Rooms (Venue 20) until 23 August Another Sight ★★★☆☆ ZOO Playground (Venue 186) until 24 August CABARET Honest Fraud ★★★☆☆ Underbelly Bristo Square (Venue 302) until 25 August CHILDREN'S SHOWS The Mequetrefo ★★★☆☆ Underbelly Bristo Square (Venue 302) until 10 August This year, the Fringe hosts the largest showcase of Brazilian work in its history, with a batch of vibrant shows from the state of São Paulo enriching the tally. What can you learn about Brazilian culture from these visiting companies? Firstly, that nothing starts the Fringe day quite like a chaotic bilingual gig theatre take on Romeo and Juliet. In Cheese and Guava or Romeo and Juliet, the motley ensemble from the Cênica theatre company are keen to share some cultural references, not just the sweet-savoury dessert which is named after Romeo and Juliet for its delicious marriage of clashing flavours but also the music of Brazil's Sinatra, the easy listening crooner Roberto Carlos. Carlos offered easy listening escapism to Brazilians in a time of oppression as well as the fine array of 1970s album covers on parade here. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cheese and Guava or Romeo and Juliet from Cênica theatre company | Contributed The pick-and-mix intro – firstly in English, then with successive samba, Broadway and rock soundtracks, concluding with a macarena dance-off across the auditorium – is a taste of the loose, even messy rendition to come. Mercutio and Tybalt face off for a guitar duel, the balcony scene is played in lyrical Portuguese and then a less musical schmaltzy ballad and the young lovers consummate their marriage with a bilingual love duet. Along the way, Cheese and Guava is peppered with personal family histories from the cast, both sweet and sour. This Brazilian spin exudes empathy for the nurse and lashings of 'saudade' from Romeo in exile, as well as an opportunity to taste the titular dessert, before the cast strip off for a samba party which is somewhat lost in translation. Arrive hungry for La Troupe's What's in the Kitchen because these people are going to feed you, with a packed lunch and choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink for every attendee. Actor and cook Eduardo Estrella is your guide for this undemanding hour on Brazilian culinary traditions, which are as much influenced by migrant culture as the native cuisine of any county, region or city. Eduardo Estrella in What's in the Kitchen | Contributed He alights briefly on the importance of coffee, a lubricant which straddles economic inequality in São Paulo, before moving swiftly on to the next course and a tasting menu of different characters, inspired by real-life feeders, from the chef supreme to the Italian matriarch dispensing bounty, wasting nothing, to the slick world of the TV chef. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He seasons the narrative with tales of his own love affair with cooking and draws parallels with the adrenaline rush of the kitchen and the theatre, both requiring preparation, unsocial hours and a fear of the critic. This lovely lunch hour is put together with care and hospitality, if a tendency to over-explain rather than let the flavours do the talking. The polvilho crostini is particularly eloquent. From taste sensations to at least partial sensory deprivation in Another Sight. This new play by São Paulo's Blind Theater company is performed in total blackout conditions. This mean phones off, no distracting chit-chat, audience led in with hands on the shoulder of the person in front to be carefully seated and protocols in place if anyone needs to leave. For the company, it means an opportunity for its ensemble of blind actors to play sighted characters. With no option for subtitles, they have risen to the challenge of learning the dialogue in English. The play itself is a fairly standard domestic drama in which maid Maria, somewhat disdained by her employer Grace, becomes an example for how to deal with a cancer diagnosis. The script is not nearly as diverting as the experience the company have created to welcome the audience into their unsighted world where the other senses are heightened. In the darkness, you relish the smell of perfume and cooking, feel the waft of a fan, are alive to the sound of the actors' voices moving around the room and develop a more acute awareness of footsteps, the scraping of cutlery on plates, the tinkle of a doorbell and the descriptive dialogue. Once again, such touching care has been taken that we feel more like guests than observers in their midst. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A warm welcome also awaits in Fundo Falso Company's Honest Fraud. Our hosts are the utterly charming duo Rudi Solon and Ricardo Malerbi who swiftly set the scene for their fascination with magic, or as they call it 'the honest fraud'. These gentlemen scammers will not operate without a Fraud Inspector in attendance. They choose their 'credible auditor' from the audience by the tossing of a cuddly toy capybara, a Brazilian symbol of luck and general amenability, then the games begin. Their street magic-style sleight of hand is modest in scale but elicits not just gasps but shouts of wonder and disbelief in the audience. Using their lucky card deck, they pull off simple but effective feats of memory and prediction. Other games of chance are available – in this case, rock, papers, scissors done Brazilian-style. Magic is a universal language and this particular dialect is gentle and feelgood. In their show, 'no one loses, everyone wins'. Final language lesson: a mequetrefe is Latin American slang for a loser, a bum, a feckless man. What better excuse for some kid-friendly clowning action? São Paulo circus company Parlapatões present The Mequetrefo, a daft day in the life of four titular bums, from sleepyhead start to bedtime pillow fight. Sao Paulo clown show The Mequetrefo | Contributed Once roused by a mix of exercise, wind-up key and a bop on the head with a big toy hammer, our clowns aimlessly attack the day, with multiple ways to put on a blazer. Members of the troupe pull off a handful of agile solo set-pieces but this is mostly a team effort. A ladder prop becomes a bus for the clown commute and later, with the addition of a couple of colourful and highly adaptable barrels, also trains, boats and planes for their goofy perambulations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is a conventional clowning display and tradition dictates that there is no show without spurting liquids. Anyone in the front rows should heed the weather warning for Edinburgh rain.
Edinburgh Reporter
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025 – Raise the Barre rock Leith Theatre
A burst of energy from Fringe show, Raise the Barre, was introduced into Leith Theatre on Monday morning – the rock ballet spectacular which is part of Assembly Festival's 2025 programme. Cast members from the Masters of Choreography production lit up the venue with a short, high-energy performance, bringing the show's signature blend of ballet, jazz, street and break dancing to the historic venue. The performance paid tribute to the rich musical and cultural legacy of Leith Theatre. Leith Theatre shares much in common with Raise the Barre's ethos – a venue where rock music and ballet have long shared the stage. From hosting legendary acts like AC/DC and Kraftwerk to presenting ballet and opera as part of the Edinburgh International Festival, the theatre embodies the same spirit of boundary-pushing creativity and genre fusion that defines the show. Now in its first full week, Raise the Barre continues its Fringe run at Assembly Rooms until 24 August (excluding Wednesdays), with audiences praising its creative choreography, infectious energy and feel-good atmosphere. Beats on Pointe, its sister show and popular Fringe Festival favourite, returns this year and is running at the same venue until 24 August (weekends only). Show Title: Raise the Barre Raise the Barre Venue: Assembly Rooms, Music Hall Assembly Rooms, Music Hall Time: 15.20 Dates: 31 July – 24 August, except Wednesday 15.20 31 July – 24 August, except Wednesday Tickets: from £16 from £16 Bookings: or 0131 623 3030 Underbelly Preview event, McEwan Hall, Bristol Square Underbelly Preview event, McEwan Hall, Bristol Square Underbelly Preview event, McEwan Hall, Bristol Square All photos Ian Georgeson Raise the Barre at Assembly Gala launch © 2025 Martin McAdam Raise the Barre at Assembly Gala launch © 2025 Martin McAdam Like this: Like Related
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Belfast: City council set to bid to purchase Assembly Rooms
The historic Assembly Rooms in Belfast may soon be bought by the city council in a deal costing more than £2m.A committee at City Hall has agreed to make an offer to take the derelict 18th Century building out of private Assembly Rooms were the site of the famous Belfast Harp Festival in 1792, which led to the preservation of the ancient tradition of Irish of the proposed purchase are confidential but the cost is thought to be in the region of £2.7m. 'Full-circle moment' A council spokesperson told BBC News NI: "Elected members agreed that the council should purchase the Assembly Rooms and associated lands. The committee gave authority for the council to make an offer to the landowner."These lands include part of the North Street car park, 5-9 North Street and Braddell's Building, a grade B1 listed building at 11 North Street."This decision remains subject to ratification at the next full meeting of council."Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown welcomed the move and said it would be a "full-circle moment" if the Assembly Rooms returned to public has yet to be decided exactly how the Assembly Rooms would be utilised by the council. 'Huge moment' The historic building belongs to Castlebrooke Investments, which is behind the delayed Tribeca development in Belfast city in 1769, the Assembly Rooms are at the corner of North Street and Waring Street. In spite of the building's historical and cultural significance, it has fallen out of use in the past two Assembly Rooms have been placed on a list of global 'at risk' heritage sites by the World Monuments Green Party described news of the council's potential purchase as a "huge moment" for Belfast.A spokesperson said: "We are delighted at being able to secure the future of this historic building and are excited for what the next chapter of this culturally significant site will hold."The next full meeting of the city council is due to take place on 1 September, when a final decision is expected to be taken.
Edinburgh Live
28-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Veterans line Edinburgh's streets to commemorate Armed Forces Day
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh welcomed the return of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 28 as hundreds of veterans and their supporters lined the streets to mark the occasion. A parade led by the Highland and Lowland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland gathered at Charlotte Square at 10am before it proceeded along their planned route which saw them march down George Street, passing a saluting dias at the Assembly Rooms. Finishing up at St Andrews Square, crowds were then treated to an address by the Lord Provost and military. Vintage military vehicles provided by the Scottish Military Vehicle Group led the parade and were on display throughout the day, as well as vintage kit and equipment that would have been used by the armed forces over the years. It was one of many Armed Forces Day celebrations held across the country in a show of support and appreciation for the armed forces. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
STV News
28-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Scottish cities host events to mark Armed Forces Day
Events are taking place in three Scottish cities on Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day. Scotland Secretary Ian Murray said he was looking forward to 'the whole country uniting' to show support for service personnel and their families. In Edinburgh, a parade led by The Highland and Lowland Bands of The Royal Regiment of Scotland will proceed along George Street, with a saluting dais at the Assembly Rooms before finishing in St Andrew's Square. Glasgow will host a family-friendly event at the City of Glasgow College Riverside Campus – with information stands, activities and entertainment from the West of Scotland Military Wives' Choir. Meanwhile in Aberdeen, serving personnel, veterans and cadets will parade through the city centre, with the city's Lord Provost taking the salute on Broad Street. Nearly 200 Armed Forces Day events are set to take place across the UK on Saturday, with this year's national event being hosted by Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire. Speaking ahead of the events, Mr Murray said: 'I'm immensely proud of all our Scots servicemen and women and I'd like to thank them for the extraordinary work they do to keep us safe all day, every day in the UK and around the world. 'National security is a UK Government priority and we will always stand up for our military. 'I look forward to the whole country uniting for today's Armed Forces Day to show our support for currently serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.' Scotland is home to a number of of the UK's key military assets, including equipment, installations, and thousands of sailors, soldiers, marines and aviators. The entirety of the Submarine Service is based at His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, including the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and the new Astute-class hunter-killer submarines. Meanwhile, RAF Lossiemouth in Moray is one of two RAF quick reaction alert stations responsible for protecting UK airspace, and also home to a fleet of maritime patrol aircraft. Scotland is also home to a number of British Army regiments, including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Leuchars Station, the 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss Barracks, and The Royal Regiment of Scotland at Fort George. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said Armed Forces Day was an opportunity to 'thank our armed forces' for their service. 'This is the day we celebrate all they do – in ordinary and extraordinary ways – to make Britain secure at home, and strong abroad,' he added. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
