Mar/110
The Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is called the biggest cultural celebration in the entire world. The origins can be tracked back to the late 1940s when the Edinburgh international Festival was first developed. Each and every year, the festival is growing in size and popularity as more folks from around the world choose to pay a visit to the area and take part in the different festivals. The Edinburgh Festival is really not just one single celebration but a number of independent festivals all going on within a 3 to 4 week period of time.
Among the most popular of all of these festivals is the Edinburgh International Book Festival that takes place in the last three weeks of August each year. It happens in Charlotte Square which is in the center of Edinburgh. Professing as being the largest festival of the type around the world, this particular book festival boasts several political and cultural talks and debates along with the favorite kid's program.
One more well-liked Edinburgh Festival is called the Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This particular festival has gotten exceptional reviews coming from a number of news sources as a result of its good reputation for featuring award-winning entertainers and events. The event centers around comedy, kid's shows, cabaret, opera and much more.
The Edinburgh Comedy Festival is another well-liked choice. For those who like a good chuckle, this collection of comedy shows is a must see.
For your music addicts around the world, the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is the place to be. For ten days every year, folks come from worldwide to hear the musical stylings of many famous performers such as Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis among others. Every year, the music artists come from all corners of the globe to perform for a group of enthusiastic travelers and locals. On top of that, Scottish music artists share their skills with the crowd too. Obviously, the blues is a main aspect of this celebration so other entertainers who have come in the past were names like BB King and Buddy Guy.
The largest jazz event in the UK even offers "Jazz on a Summer's Day" that takes place out in Princes Street Gardens just under the Edinburgh Castle's shadow. This particular celebration is free and displays the top entertainers from the Festival.
There is plenty to do and experience during the Edinburgh Festivals every year. Individuals come from across the world to experience these displays of culture and entertainment. There is truly nothing like it in any other section of the globe, and it is growing bigger each year.
If you are considering a Scottish vacation and you are currently looking for guest houses and Edinburgh hotels then please consider taking a look at our listings of hotels in Edinburgh
Aug/090
Opera Glasses: A comedic Review of Shear Madness
Chances are, you have heard of Shear Madness, perhaps from a friend, or relative, and are considering attending a performance. My recommendation is that you should not attend, unless you would like to feel physical pain, and suffering from extreme laughter. However if you feel like you cheek and stomach muscles are in healthy enough shape, you may be able to endure this marathon of laughter. Opera glasses are very necessary for a performance of this type.
The stage is set to take place at a unisex hair salon. The usual gossip takes place. As in real life, for some reason, people seem to think they need to share their utmost secrets with their hairdresser. So many funny lines take place as well as an intriguing storyline. The people acting are extremely believable characters. You have the snapping gum pretty hairdresser with a gorgeous figure who is an airhead, the brightly colored clothing character played by the homosexual hairdresser (fabulously played by John McGivern in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when I attended), a high class society woman, policemen and the different clientele that comes in. Of course, one man is a hunk which makes John McGivern's character giggle with glee.
Shear Madness is truly an evolutionary play; this is because it is always changing! What I mean by this, is that many of the words that are spoken in the play are not actually in the script but rather are given as improvisations by gifted comedians, in fact, much of the things talked about in the play focuses on current local and world news, you will never know what to expect. One of the things I found most amusing about this performance, is that many times, actors are caught off guard by the other actor's improvised lines, and you see them trying to contain their own laughter. For this you will surely want to bring your opera glasses as not to miss a beat!
Shear Madness is very much an interactive play. As you attend, you will find that performers will periodically ask the audience for their opinions about the developing story. Many in attendance will shout out their answers which often vary wildly. This aspect alone will make this play unforgettable in your mind. If find that your seat is in the first few rows, be prepared, as you may find yourself as centerpiece of a joke. Remember, that all jokes are just in good fun.
Aside from the typical chit chat you find in a beauty parlor, Shear Madness' plot turns to a murder mystery. The person who is killed is always the same; it is the owner of the parlor. The owner lived above the parlor prior to being murdered, and you will see that any of the characters potentially could have been the murderer. You will be working and trying to figure out who the murderer is; your opera glasses will help you to not miss any subtle hints.
Here is where Shear Madness gets fun. The owner of the salon is the one that is always murdered in this play, but the killer will vary from performance to performance, based on clues presented. Also the audience, based on the clues chooses who the murderer must be. This may sound odd, but is a very funny development. Many (like me) see the play over and over so that they can see the different endings!
This play is often called the longest running, or second longest running non musical performances. Many critics have given this play wonderful reviews, because of the witty comedy and wonderful performances, which is why of course; this play has been around for so long.
Opera glasses are always a crucial element in attending any performance, but especially this one. If you don't bring your opera glasses, you are sure to miss moments, clues and laughs. Make sure you have a pair in hand before you walk out the door to go.