'In this way I shall preserve many things that would otherwise be lost in oblivion. I shall find daily employment for myself, which will save me from indolence and help to keep off the spleen, and I shall lay up a store of entertainment for my after life.'

For James Boswell posts please follow the labels on the right.

This blog mainly contains reviews from the Edinburgh Festivals from 2008 to 2010 which I wrote for the Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. These reviews cover everything from comedy to contemporary dance; children's theatre to Handel.


Sunday 23 October 2011

Caroline Mabey’s Go Go Go Coffee Show Review

Caroline Mabey’s Go Go Go Coffee Show

The Fringe is often criticised for charging audiences to excess for what is often thirty minutes of dribble from a socially dysfunctional school drop out. Showing for free, Caroline Mabey thankfully avoids the gut wrenching feeling the Fringe goer can get as they see their £10 die on stage in front of them in a hail of pointless, meandering froth. This act of mercy from Mabey may have inadvertently saved her life. The Porteous Riots – which sprang from the Scots unwillingness to pay for taxed booze in 1736 – would be nothing compared to the mob that could erupt if the Fringe started charging for shows like this.

It’s certainly stand up comedy in its most surreal state. Another way of saying this is that it’s a poorly thought out, rambling show which barely holds together. The central idea of the performance is Mabey’s relationship with coffee. Certainly the coffee your reviewer consumed half an hour prior to the performance was necessary to stop this review degenerating into a series of ‘Zzzzs’. Beyond this there isn’t even a hint of coherence. Perhaps she should stick to tea.

It’s free, and Mabey has undeniably got some charisma – although so do some ham sandwiches and turnips.

*

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