'Monsters' @ Belly Dancer

Our Edinburgh Chronicle continued...

2007-08-07T22:16:00.000+01:00

Dear Reader,

So much fun stuff has been going on that this blog is crying out for an update!

Well, to start with the deliciously obvious, the Fringe has really got going. This is most of our first times here and WE'RE LOVING IT. Please appreciate my Caps Lock there! The Royal Mile is electric, with all the usual barriers to conversation with random strangers broken down - there are seldom any random strangers at the Fringe, as everyone seems to be here for the same reason. Even among 2000 shows we feel at home: Ollo (Charlie) is 'Reindeer boy' with his own coterie of enthusiastic fans - have you seen him? Think of the reindeer.

Sunday kicked it all off, with the immense Fringe launch party. Did you spot us in our red tees? We loved the red spread - since we matched so brilliantly - (and the rain) and the acts were great. Some of our crew are happy to admit having fallen in love with Tom Thumb. You know who you are, Sha! Also we loved the guys from Hairline mag - check out their great website: www.hairline.org.uk - it's a vvv nifty, informed and unaffiliated guide (with a super duper orange colour scheme). And Simon Nevill who's writing a great blog for the Evening News site (tap in Fringe Benefits into their internal search feature) and starring in Guilds, which we reckon looks like a jolly bally laugh. Ultimately we loved the free drinks too. That had to be said!

Well more anon. Have a fringetastic evening.

Edinburgh's Bacon Butty Solution

2007-08-05T15:56:00.000+01:00

Dear Reader,

We've cracked it! There has been a major breakthrough in Fringe technology.
For the eternal problem of what to do before Midday in this finest of cities, is SOLVED, yes SOLVED!!! Reader, you may like to know that before this discovery was made, finding and munching your bacon butty, or any sort of breakfast fare, was an activity utterly lacking in cultural stimulation.

However, in August 2007, teams of scientists have conducted extensive tests and found that the answer is breathtakingly simple: come to Monsters @ Underbelly @ 11.15am.

They suggested in their report, published today, that it was time-efficient and beneficial for mental health to mainline your entertainment in the morning as well as after the sun had gone over the yard arm. Moreover, they found that bacon butties tasted even better when combined with Christmas cheer and icky gore, which Monsters provides in ample quantities.

All I can say, dear reader, is this: give a thought to your wellbeing as the Fringe goes on crazily about you, and come to Monsters with your breakfast.

Who Killed Santa?

2007-08-04T09:06:00.001+01:00

The burning question is: 'Who Killed Santa?'

This was the question exercising the Royal Mile yesterday as our beloved Father Christmas lay motionless in a pool of his own blood.

The blood-curdling screams of horror at the sight of this tragedy were heard reverberating, almost drowning out the bagpiper on the street corner nearby.

But one of the apparently distraught onlookers was his murderer. Who?

Was it Susan in the red dress? She may look demure, but what lurks beneath the immaculate exterior? Could she be the merciless Queen of Hearts?

Was it a playing card? Their hands were blood-spattered, and rumour has it they make ruthlessly efficient hitmen.

Or, was it Charlotte, her frantic and tormented appearance concealing a cunning criminal mastermind?

The only way to find out the perpetrator of this dreadful crime, which will cause children worldwide undoubtedly the most acute trauma, is to see Monsters - every morning, 11.15am, Belly Dancer @ Smirnoff Underbelly!

High Street Action

2007-08-04T09:04:00.001+01:00

Well top of the morning to ye all!

The 'Monsters' are stirring and ready to give you another great show.

This and every morning: 11.15am
Belly Dancer @ Smirnoff Underbelly

Production Photos - check us out!

2007-08-03T09:52:00.001+01:00

Day 1 Part B: reindeer to feed

2007-08-02T22:53:00.000+01:00

Edinburgh's friendly street community found a new (albeit temporary) member today:

Monsters' Ollo (Charlie, appearing daily in a patterned dress and a blond wig) was seen just after noon sitting at the edge of the Royal Mile, with a sign scribbled onto a scrap of cardboard:

PLEASE HELP: I HAVE 12 REINDEER TO FEED.

All donations welcome. Think of the reindeer.

Monsters' Edinburgh Escapades Day 1

2007-08-02T22:48:00.000+01:00

Today we trod the Scottish boards for the first time...and spattered them with blood!
We are all even more excited to be here after this first show, and are itching to have another go in the morning.

'Monsters' has landed and opens today!

2007-08-01T23:31:00.000+01:00

The tiger moth's engines purred us all the way here and, after schlepping our cases all the way to our base camp we're ready and set and almost go on giving you a show---

Today you might have seen us lapping up the Festival spirit on the Royal Mile in Santa Hats, chuckling ho ho ho in utterly the wrong season...and experiencing the first rush of adrenaline as we merrily distributed our trademark frankenstrein flyers to unsuspecting passers by, with the opener:

'Have you ever seen Father Christmas in a thong?'

Well, dear readers, have you? Would you like your illusions thoroughly shattered? If so, leaving aside all those of you who have enjoyed this privilege, and must be consequently scarred, you know where to come:

OPENING PERFORMANCE:
Thursday 11.15 Underbelly's Belly Dancer!

Come fly with me

2007-07-31T13:45:00.000+01:00

The journey to Edinburgh...look, no hands!

N.B.

2007-07-31T13:38:00.000+01:00

As the cast and crew descend on Edinburgh by road and sky, we have been advised by our lawyers to alert and reassure the general public (yes that's you out there;-) that:

Despite the portrayal of domestic violence which occurs in 'Monsters', no parents have been harmed in this production.

However, we can't say the same for siblings.

Who We Are

2007-07-30T09:50:00.000+01:00

We are Not/But Productions: a brand new contemporary theatre company, comprised solely of university students.

The whole production team and the writer are all under 20, and we're using funds managed and distributed by students too.

We're working with established Fringe veterans Double Edge in support of the work of talented young writers experimenting with the unusual.

Meet the Cast

2007-07-30T09:46:00.000+01:00

Behind the Scenes

2007-07-26T23:30:00.000+01:00

When & Where

2007-07-25T16:08:00.000+01:00

Venue: Belly Dancer, Smirnoff Underbelly, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Dates: Thurs 2 to Sat 18 August
Time: 11.15am (90mins)
Tickets: £7.50 / concs £6.50
Venue box office: 0870 745 3083 / www.underbelly.co.uk
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com

Do you have Monsters in your closet?

2007-07-25T16:07:00.000+01:00

Do you have Monsters in your closet?

Well, Charlie has.
And so does his entire family.
But then again, doesn’t every family?

‘It isn’t love that brings people together at times like this. It’s fear'

This brand new play lets those Monsters loose with destructive consequences: a story about a family trapped in the pressure-cooker that we know as Christmas, in a surreal world which is creepily close to our own.

Monsters roaming at the Fringe from 2nd August!

2007-07-25T12:08:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the blog that will track the movements and news of J Randall Mayflower's 'Monsters' on the Edinburgh Fringe this August 2nd thru 18th!

For some Monsters action come along to the Belly Dancer at Underbelly Cowgate at 11.15 am between those dates and join us as we throw blood, paint and figgy pudding at the face of contemporary theatre, or at the very least each other!

Check out this blog for any info you need, and we'd love your comments!