This was a panel-format show where the delightful Aussie comic Alice Fraser chaired a discussion with three friends (two girls and a boy, two of whom have their own Fringe shows - I'll get to one later) about love, boyfs/girlfs, relationships and shagging. Basically nothing I know anything about so this was something of an investigative field trip. Questions and topics were harvested from Ms. Fraser's Love Bites Facebook page, stuff in the news and anything that pops up.
We were in a small venue and there weren't many of us (say, around thirty). And the show was a bit rubbish to be honest. With little to go on from us, and atmosphere somewhat lacking, the whole thing felt a bit laboured. The two girls in particular weren't particularly engaging (one of whom has her own show - I'm not rushing to that one) and my own particular nemesis who has spoiled so many events, shows and gigs for me over the years, DrunkScottishWoman, was sadly sitting a couple of seats from me (though that was hardly Ms. Fraser's fault).
The whole thing kinda meandered and then fell on its arse. Which was a shame. So to fill the remaining time Ms. Fraser asked the boy on the panel if he would do a freestyle rap (yeah, really). As it turns out the (posh, white) chap on the panel is called Chris Turner, he has his own Fringe show and freestyle rap is very much his thing. So he called out for five topics from the audience, dropped the (virtual) needle on some phat beatz (as I believe da kidz say) and proceeded to perform a hugely impressive, very clever and tongue-twisting rap about nihilism, snorkelling, Gary Glitter, democracy and gothic architecture.
A splendid ending to what had been my first proper Fringe disappointment.
FULL DISCLOSURE - This show was part of the city-wide Free Festival (The Three Sisters complex in Cowgate renames itself the Free Sisters) and while it doesn't cost to get in you are expected to make a contribution at the end. Which I did - hey, the show may have been disappointing but Ms. Fraser was rather splendid and I was a tad annoyed I couldn't stay for her solo show which started 20 minutes after this one. Alice Fraser is definitely a talent to watch out for ...
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