Posts Tagged Irvine Welsh

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024: Unmissable Shows and Reviews

July 28, 2024 at 11:00 am · Filed under Drama, Edinburgh Fringe Festival ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

574 words, 3 minutes read time.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is renowned for its vibrant culture and the plethora of shows that it brings to the forefront of the performing arts scene. This year, in 2024, the festival is set to welcome back a number of shows that have previously been reviewed by Counter Culture, offering audiences another chance to experience these remarkable performances.

And They Played Shang-A-Lang – This musical extravaganza by the Edinburgh Little Theatre takes you on a nostalgic journey through the 70s with a soundtrack that’ll have you dancing in your seat. It’s a heart-warming tale of friendship and music, returning to captivate audiences at the Hill Street Theatre – Alba Theatre from August 2-25.

Get ready to be dazzled by the most exciting children’s show of the year, Science Magic: Messy Mayhem! This is not your ordinary science class; it’s a whirlwind of fun that combines the wonder of science with the hilarity of comedy, all wrapped up in a spectacularly messy package. Hosted at the Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters – Maggie’s Front Room, this show promises to be the highlight of your child’s summer. With shows running from August 1-13, 15-20, and 22-25 at 11:00 am, there’s plenty of opportunity to catch the magic. Each show lasts an hour, making it the perfect length for young attention spans.

Chamberlain: Peace in Our Time – A poignant historical piece by the Searchlight Theatre Company that delves into the life and times of Neville Chamberlain. This true-life drama provides a compelling look at the events leading up to WWII, staged at the Palmerston Place Church from August 21-24.

Trainspotting Live – The gritty and raw adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel returns, immersing audiences in the lives of Edinburgh’s most notorious residents. Presented by King’s Head and In Your Face at the Pleasance at EICC – Cromdale Tunnel, this site-specific performance runs from August 1-6, 8-13, 15-18, 20-25.

The Blondie Story – Relive the rise of one of the most iconic bands of the New Wave era in this gripping narrative. The show chronicles Blondie’s journey, filled with ups and downs, at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Grand Theatre from August 2-24.

Chopped Liver and Unions – Blue Fire Theatre Company presents a historical solo show that explores the rich tapestry of labor and struggle. It’s a powerful reminder of the past’s influence on the present, showing at Paradise in Augustines – The Studio from August 2-10, 12-17, 19-24.

When Judas Met John: Songs of Dylan and Lennon – A musical homage to two of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan and Lennon, performed by the Brothers Broke. This acoustic folk set promises an intimate evening at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall – Theatre 1 from August 2-10.

For those who wish to delve deeper into the history and reviews of these shows, Counter Culture provides an insightful look at each performance. You can find the detailed reviews for each show at the following links:

The Edinburgh Fringe continues to be a beacon of artistic expression, and the return of these shows is a testament to the enduring appeal and impact of the performances that grace its stages. Be sure to catch these shows for an unforgettable Fringe experience! Buy tickets here https://tickets.edfringe.com/.

By Pat Harrington

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T2 Trainspotting (2017)

June 12, 2017 at 1:42 pm · Filed under Film & DVD Reviews ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

*SPOILERS OF T1*

trainspotting2I’ve always said that nostalgia was the drug of choice for most people in the UK. Trainspotting was about the addictive, attractive and destructive nature of heroin.

T2 is about the warping melancholy of re-living, relishing and remembering the past. It’s a past that is re-imagined and glorified by the characters. Begbie (Carlyle) has an expression of joy as he moves his hands whilst recalling slashing someone with a knife.

We last saw Renton (McGregor) legging it with most of the £14.000 of ill-gotten loot he was meant to split with his pals. 20 years on he has come home to Edinburgh.

Sick Boy, (Jonny Lee Miller) batters him at their reunion and if you remember Begbie you can probably guess his reaction. Spud (Bremner) is friendlier but then he was left his share of the money.

There is a nominal plot about plans to convert Sick Boy’s run down pub into a brothel (or sauna as they prefer to call them in Edinburgh!) but that’s not really the heart of the film. The key part of the film is the relationship between the four male characters. Female characters don’t really get much of a look in. Anjela Nedyalkova, as Veronika, gets most time and is given some good lines (so is more than just eye candy) but this is really about the guys.

The guys haven’t matured much and are still mired in a swamp of their own making. glorifying the past. This sequel isn’t about how they have progressed but how little they’ve really changed. That’s the tragedy and the point. Of all of them it is Begbie who shows most insight. There is a moving scene with his Son where he confronts his own relationship with his Father. Tellingly, his wife is present but is just a bystander to this event. Sick Boy has ‘progressed’ from heroin – to cocaine. We see them in middle age wishing they were young again. They are at their most energetic when talking about the past or taking the risks they used to. It’s at these moments the film comes alive, Renton and Sick Boy trying to explain football to Veronika or the hilarious robbing of a Loyalist drinking club. There is real dark humour here.

T2 takes us, as viewers, on our own nostalgic trip in a clever playful way. With flashbacks to the original, Renton revisiting the “Choose Life” monologue, while the soundtrack revisits music from the original soundtrack with the twist that they are remixed versions or covers. That may be a subtle comment on the way the characters memories work.

The other stars of T2 are Edinburgh and the Leith banter/dialogue (as it was in T1). We see a lot more of it than in the original film. Not just Leith but even as far as the more affluent Meadows! It looks great (and it is).

Though T2 has a somewhat depressing theme but the humour and pace take the edge of that. It is a film that makes you think about nostalgia, friendship, betrayal, addiction, risk – in short ‘life’. Choose it!

Reviewed by Pat Harrington

See here for his review of Trainspotting 1

Director: Danny Boyle
Writers: John Hodge, Irvine Welsh (novels)
Ewan McGregor
as Mark Renton
Ewen Bremner
as Spud
Jonny Lee Miller
as Sick Boy
Robert Carlyle
as Begbie
Kelly Macdonald
as Diane
Anjela Nedyalkova
as Veronika

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