Edinburgh Fringe 2009

Thanks

To everyone who finds themselves here. Thanks. To everyone who doesn't Sorry.

To those of you who helped in everything I do. Thanks.

To everyone who came to my party. Thanks, many thanks.

To all the people I respect on the street my greatest thanks. To my friends, "my family" (my new family- the community that matters), all my kindest wishes and greatest thanks without you I can't do what I do.

To my work for allowing me the time off to do this, thanks.

To Canon and Calumet. Thanks for your support.

A Birds Eye View of The Fringe 2009

Edinburgh Fringe Guide 2009 - The Compact Version

Giraffes Can't Dance
Blunderbus Theatre Company
The Spaces @ Royal College of Surgeons, Nicolson street.
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=15258
http://www.blunderbus.org/Default.aspx
Blunderbus Productions have been bringing colour and magic to the Fringe over the years. Their colourful characters a delight to all young and old. This is a must see show for those of you with young children to entertain.

Magic Porridge Pot
Sleeping Beauty and The Time Lords
Three Potter Pigs
Zombie Prom
Spotlites Theatre Production
Spotlites @ The Merchant Hall, 22 Hanover Street
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/group.php?id=20099
http://www.spotlites.co.uk/index2.htm
Spotlites Theatre are the hardest working promotion theatre group during the Fringe. They spend almost as much time on the High Street as me. And it's that dedication to their art that gets them a place here. Shows for children that will keep the adults entertained too.

Chris Cross is Escaping From Reality
Chris Cross/ PBH's Free Fringe
The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=13546

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Black and White Rainbow
Just The Tonic @ The Caves, Enter from The Rowantree Bar, 253 Cowgate
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=16371

The Dark Party
The Dirty Brothers
Underbelly's Hullabaloo, George Square Gardens
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=16375
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYeAkJCEkU0
Rising from the embers of The Happy Sideshow; Shep Huntly, Dirty PAT and the great Gordo Gamsby bring us a new show to temp fate with reality.
From my first viewing of what the Happy Sideshow I was hooked on that that was wicked. And wicked this will truly be.

Get Up Stand Up
WMD Awareness Programme/ Mirth Control
The Jazz Bar, 1a Chambers Street
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=13693
http://www.comeclean.org.uk/index.php
The promotion team for Get Up Stand up are the hardest working group of pink t-shirted flyerer's on the Mile, in the shadow of St. Giles they promote entertainment, comedy and awareness to issues we sometimes tend to forget. Always slightly different something not to miss.

Ian Kendall's 18th Birthday Magic Show
Ian Kendall
The Zoo, 140 The Pleasance
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=14275

Kiosk of Champions 2: Kiosk of Champions!
CKP
Pleasance Dome, Potterrow, 1 Bristo Square
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=15087
http://www.kioskofchampions.com/show.html
Back at the Fringe with their sequel to Kiosks of Champions Stuart Goldsmith and Richard Sandling Prove there is life in a second coming. Sequels come and go this one's here to stay.

Seymour Mace and Peter Slater: Sundayland
CKP by Arrangement with Ashley Boroda Entertainment
Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=15100

Seymour Mace Presents Funshine!
Seymour Mace/ The Stand Comedy Club
The Stand Comedy Club II, 16 North St. Andrew Street
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=14349
From the early days of my fringe life I ran into Seymour. Now he courts fame starring along side Johnny Vegas in Ideal on BBC3.

Mayhew: Live- Free
Mayhew
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=14047
Mayhew I missed the wet year; yes 2008. But this time they're back and in a dry venue.
Here because their passion for words inspired. And I'll do my best not to miss. So do yourself a favour don't miss them too.

For more dates and info on Mayhew visit their Myspace page.

In The Pink- Fabulous All Female Capella!
In The Pink
C, Chambers Street
http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=14503
I first ran into In The Pink a couple of years ago; just off the train and heading for the Mile. A delight to see and hear amid the hustle and bustle of the High Street. Oh so much better to listen to in the comfort of a theatre venue.

Doctor Faustus

Zigzag Creations

The Monkey House @ The Zoo

http://www.edfringe.com/ticketing/detail.php?id=15267

Stunning costumes and fabulous make up make this a show with the draw the High street needs.

Tramworks and The Mound

Princes street is currently the biggest building site in Edinburgh's beautiful city centre. With work progressing "slowly" on the contraversial tram project.

For those tourists that do arrive views of the castle from the shopping side of Princes Street are obscured by high fencing and access to the gardens and the mound are severly restricted. So it's a world of two halfs. If you're interested in shopping it's one side of the street. And photography and relaxation it's the other. And to combine the two it's a long walk to the east end, west end or the Mound to cross the

So what does this mean for the Mound.

In talking to one vendor at the Mound.
"numbers are down around 40% this year."
A big blow to him and the National Galleries; his neighbours.
The other reaction from the tourists he's getting is they had no idea this (The Tram Works) were happening."If they did know that Edinburgh was going to look like this, they would have stayed away."
And the message they seem to be taking away and will be passing on to those at home.
"Stay away until the work is finished."

So numbers this year might be good. With the £ not as strong as with previous years. But next year Edinburgh might just have a tourist drought

For this years Fringe and street performing at the Mound it could be just the boost that the galleries and the ice cream vendors are looking forward to. The Mound full of people instead of a large space almost devoid of tourists on a sunny afternoon.

Preparing For The Fringe 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen are you ready for the Fringe 2009.

Are you coming to Edinburgh to visit.
Are you coming to Edinburgh to perform.

Well all going well I'll be back. Armed with a camera, again all going well.

So be prepared for another year of reports, reviews and loads of photos.

And now that I've got my new space on the web parked for later.

I have a space for all the people that would like their show promoted here.

All the best. 06/02/09 01:22

Dyslexia has it's advantages (12.5.9)

Not wanting to start another post I thought I'd add this little bit of information. Over the last few weeks one or two visitors have arrived at my many blogs while looking for images. Lucky for me it seems that the rest of the world is dyslexic. Having tagged images without checking the spelling I'll never get traffic to my blogs unless the person searching cant spell.

If I could spell I'd get more traffic, but the fun is getting traffic from those people who can't.

If you're interested do a google image search for contraversial and you'll see what i mean.

And for those of you that can't be bothered here are two of my three most popular images

that bring visitors to my blogs.

And the third image that brings people here is

Street Performers and The High Street

The High Street in August is a buzz of activity. With casts and crews promoting their shows. Flyer's of all colours and sizes change hands.

The crowds that flock to the High Street are drawn each and every year by the multitude of buskers and performers from all over the world.

These performers come to the High street because Edinburgh is the premier street performing Festival. Without them would there be the crowds, the buzz, the atmosphere that is central to the outdoor Fringe in Edinburgh.

The energy that they bring to the High street carries a price, normally a few £'s dropped into their hat. But such a small price to pay for what makes the High street the place to be during the run of the Fringe.

So what if there was no buzz. No roar of chainsaws, no cracking of whips, would the Fringe be the Fringe the people come to Edinburgh to see.
Would the people that spend their days wandering up and down the Royal Mile be there. Would they spend their money in the shops, coffee houses and bars that adorn the Mile? Or would they look somewhere further afield for the entertainment they truly desire in August.

Easter Weekend on the High Street

It could have been August on Saturday; apart from the fact it was dry and sunny. The High street was buzzing. The crowds of tourists had decended on Edinburgh on mass.

Chris Cross, Todd Various , Figo and Scott were on the High street performing.
Pop the baloon man was weaving his magic art.

Armed with a camera I found my balance not lost from last year and found a bollard that didn't wobble.

It may be only April, but with a bit of sun and the £ not as healthy as last year, my prediction is that we might just have a lot of people in Edinburgh this year. Might be a good idea to book now!

What's to say that June and July could be the new August for everyone.

Sunday 19th of April

The clouds broke again and the Sun finally showed it;s face on the High street. The High street was agin rocking to the blues.

Saturday had been cold and overcast. Sunday I just could not believe how warm it was in the sun.

Magic on the Mile.

In one small part of Edinburgh.

The sun was the spotlight for everyone.

Canon Week at Calumet Photographic Edinburgh

Calumet Photographic Edinburgh were one of the few Calumet stores where there was not much going on; the staff were there to answer all the questions and queries. With Canon support spread thinly through the rest of Calumet's many stores Edinburgh were lucky enough to have for a few hours street entertainer, comedian and magician Todd Various pop in.

Todd performed his outstanding cups and ball routine, as well as his other crowd pleasers the pen through Dollar & his magic rope tricks.

His straight jacket and chain escape routine he left for the world outside; maybe another day.

Sadly on that particular day the crowds Todd normally perform to were a little on the thin side. Perhaps next time he'll be filling the place to the rafters.

For those who witnessed his skills on the day the finale was finished off with the same zest as with any street show. But the final reveal was that of a Canon digital SLR camera. Now that is magic!

The Canon G10 Compact

Over the last few years I've been using digital camera; but haven't owned one. Last week I took the plunge and bought my first digital camera.

I got the Canon G10. A compact camera with the specifications of a good digital SLR.

It will mean I'll not be quite as obvious on the High Street during the Festival. Not have as much to carry. And mean that I may just change the way I'll be shooting things during the Fringe. But every year with a different approach I can bring my unique outlook on what I do.

So bring on August Mr Brown's up for a new challenge.

First results are pretty impressive and produce bigger files than the cameras I've been using over the last few years; which is scary for a compact of it's size.

First impression of the camera are pretty good. There are loads of different things to play around with in terms of settings. So I have a month to get used to all it's idiosyncricities before the Fringe proper starts in August.

I've been taking photographs now for the best part of 25 plus years. But every day I do I run into situations I've not run into before.
The same with my camera equipment. There are things one camera can do, will do that another won't, etc.

So in buying my new Canon G10 compact I decided to give myself about a month of getting to know it. Finding my way round the buttons and dials. As well as the digital menus and sub menus.

Whether you own just one camera or have multiple bodies, my best advice is "make sure you know it works" even the best and most expensive camera might have a problem. And there's no point in buying one just before you do a truly important job.

Be prepared. Keep your instruction book to hand. And test, test, test to destruction before you do something that your reputation depends on.

You wouldn't buy a car to drive round the World the same day you start. So why do it with a camera.

If your lively-hood depends on it, why risk the humiliation of poor quality images or no images. Wouldn't it be better to have tested it first?

That's my advice to everyone, amateur and professional.

And still people out there in the real world don't follow these simple rules.

If you like the look of what the Canon G10 does why not

buy it now!

August 1st Crowds on the High Street

The Jazz and Blues Festival first Festival to start the ball rolling in Edinburghs Festival season.

The sun shone and street performers where there to take full advantage of the numbers on the High Street and at the Mound.

I ran into friends old and new. And apart from one or two random hiccups. Had a fantastic day.

If I have more days like this I'll not survive the Fringe.
My newest friends and aquantinces must have been a bit suprised when I wandered up and said you're Mayhew.

Had great fun listening to them and photographing them. I'd missed them last year. So I was there with bells on today.

I'd just spent a day working on my computer and listening to tracks on their myspace page.

The end of the day came and it was home to sort what I got today. To blog it and facebook it.

And start again tomorrow

August 2nd And it all Happens Here

Everyone comes to Edinburgh, because it's the venue to be seen in. A city that is a theatre under the sky. No other city has the architectural backdrop that makes a festival quite so special.

The Art of Street Photography

The Jazz and Blues Festival kicked off on Saturday with a bit of noise and colour. Samba drummers and dancers where at the City Council buildings on the High street. Crowds of people flocked into the courtyard to watch and listen to the proceedings. There I headed to to see if there was anything that took my fancy too.

Then I spotted a familiar face the "I have a press pass photographer and I can go and stand anywhere I want". With no consideration for the crowds of people already there taking photos. He strode around obscuring the view and I guess ruining a lot of peoples photographs. He didn't even seem to be taking any photographs at the time.

Good street or press photographers are discreet and will at least acknowledge people they are about to get in front of.

Arch White and myself are watchful of who we get in front of. We move to get a photo, we move to get out of the way of the audience.

That's why we get invited into a performers space, because we respect the street, we respect the performer and we respect the audience watching.

So if you get a press pass to go anywhere during the Fringe use the eyes in the back of your head because I do.

Street photography is about that "shot." But it's also about how you get that shot. Small children would rather watch the funny performer, than the disrespectful photographer.

And for those photographers out there who publish for profit a Fringe press pass is a required item of clothing.

August 4th Tick Tick Tick

As the opening day nears the High Street draws the world to it's cobbled way.

As crowds gather whips crack and chainsaws roar.

August 5th Worse than waiting for Christmas

Out of the bubble Theatre
That Thing About Men

The Sixth and 7th It's Here!

Fringe 2009. It's official three weeks of madness. And killer seagulls!

August 8th Will I Survive The Fringe

I flyered Alan Cumming. And a few photos too of course. I had to good a day. Or too many shots to choose from.

A new and beautiful cast wander the streets. This is Fringe heaven.

Doctor Faustus from ZigZag Creations

August 9th Take But Don't Give!

Chauntecleer And Pertelotte

Abigail Unwin Smith

A visual treat on the street. The cast of Doctor Faustus have made my day two days running. By the end of their run I'll have become that professional stalker I'm credited for through out my Fringe history.

The beauty of that is that most of my favourite subjects from over the years have become great friends, and keep coming back to check on my work on my blogs, and facebook.

Doctor Faustus from Zig-Zag Creations

Once again the photographers that stalk the High Street are very slow to give, if at all to the street shows and statues.
Don't take without some thought. Your living might be photography, theirs might be what you see on the street.

August 10th Monday Blues

Metamorphosis

August 11th Too Many Wow Moments in One Day

Dull, with a chance of rain. Thats how the day started.

I was lost for inspiration for a while.

Then it hit me once again today. Like a freight train with full beam headlights.

Pazzaz, and deadly style stalked the street again today.

August 12th Glorious, but not all day

Friends in High places. Thank to Alan Laughlin for the vantage point.

August 13th Five Minutes Off The High Street

Sitting in the City Cafe for the last few nights, I've been talking to four performers; who have set up camp with their brilliant but truly risque and British take on life.

Their show lasts all day so to catch everything would be a massive task. Thanks for alowing me these few photos.

August 14th Did Someone Forget to order The ark

Silly, but I like it.

went for the world record bollard balancing today. 11am till 2.15pm. That must be a record somewhere.

August 15th Why are Good Days Sometimes Bad

August 16th Slight Hic-up

August 17th Wonderful Reviews

People stop me in the street to say they like my photos. That's always a bonus.

August 18th The Big Picture

August 18th The Rest of The Day

August 19th Busy, Yes Very

August 20th Which Blair Street Circus Project

August 21st On A High

August 22nd A Big Wave

August 23rd Computer Bashing

A day infront of the computer preparing for the big Party.

August 24th Will I Survive Today

August 25th The High Street Has a Hangover

August 26th Portraits Galore

August 27th The Day Anna Met Stickman Up Close

August 28th Longing For Sleep

Rain People

Porn The Musical

Metamorphosis

Don Juan in Soho

August 29th Waiting For Night

Ella Bella

Tempo, Shut Up Play

Marina

August 29th A Few Moments Away From The Mile

August 30th Run Eddie Run

August 31st. More Days

For more news, reviews, stories and lots more photos. Edinburgh Fringe 2009 part 2 has just started. Just in case you didn't find yourself here.

The Catch Penny Club at The City Cafe

On Thursday the 14Th of May the venue The City Cafe Blair Street was host to a different type of event That of The Catch Penny Club. A little bit of old school vaudeville theatre. Comedy, magic escapology, balloonology and music.
The evening hosted by Nicholas J. Johnson, magician Scott Smith, balloon man Pop, escapology Todd Various Comedy Michael George Quinn and music Stuart Crout.
Nicholas compered the evening with a mix of comedy, misdirection and even science. How many people were going to rush home and try the stunt with the cup.
Scott Smith Edinburgh based Magician our first act on opened his magic act in silence and held the audience silence too. Card magic and a sublime finish where the risk of injury to himself as great as any magicians big finish.

Pop brought his origamic latex skills to the stage and folded and twisted to screams of delight as his creations evolved. The added bonus feature to Homer had the crowd in stitches.

Todd Various and his escapology routine were a bonus from the street to amuse the indoor audience.

Michael George Quinn played the comedic game and won. An artistic comedic game of doodles and a death defying tightrope finish to end had the crowd roaring in the isles.

To finish the evening we had Stuart Crout. Or as his 2,500,000 fans on youtube know him Pockets (Kazookelele) Stuarts style and skill on stage are those honed again from the long hours busking on the High street and those performing at many different pubs and clubs around Edinburgh.

Stuart was joined on stage by friend and fellow uke player Alexander John Highet.
The audience responce to his version of The Final Countdown as if there were a stadium full.
The curtain call of everyone on stage produced a riotous round of applause. The Catch Penny Club could easily become a regular event in The City Cafe. I know I'll be there with or without my camera.

A Catch Penny Club Update.

A pre Fringe taster at the City Cafe Blair Street

on August 4Th.

From 7.30pm

for more detail

contact The City Cafe Blair Street

0131 220 0125

Carnival, A Venetian Masqurade Ball

The erotic to exotic. From vaudeville to burlesque. Red Crow VIP Events put together a show to stimulate the senses.

From the decadance of the Venetian Carnival to the stage of the Moulin Rouge. The place to be on Friday the 13Th was The Caves, Niddry Street, Edinburgh.

This was to be a night of theater on the Fringe, my type of theater.

The performers, one and all gave their time to be there. To amuse and astound, add colour to a dark February night.

The stage was set the rehearsals over, the audience in masquerade splendor. The costumes stunning. The music pulsating. The night a sure fire hit before it had even started.

The Devil and his host of souls took to the stage. Each one more tempting than the last. The sideshow antics of a whip and knife thrower. To the sultry energetics of a beautiful pole dancer.

Fan dancers flirted with us. A naughty nurse and a a dangerous Dorothy; complete with red shoes, spiced the night with glamour.

The beat of the Can Can rubbed shoulders with the echoes of Arabia. As belly and sword dancers took us on tour in music, colour and passion.

Fire performers lit the dark in spirals of flame and daring. An event not for the weak of heart, a heartbeat away from the ecstasy of excess.

A night where I a photographer was running out of space to store the images I needed or desperately tried to capture. Where Mark our videographer for the night from Klaklak kept thanking me for the invite.

For those of you that missed the night, alas the sorrow. Still Red Crow VIP Events are not over yet. There's more to come later this year. Darker and dangerous. For me another must see I'm sure.

And you never know going by the audience response to the night, I'm sure that it's possible that Carnival, A Venetian Masquerade Ball may just arise again in a whole new venue due to popular demand.

Carnival, A Dark Caberet for The Senses

Firestar Mel of Red Crow VIP Events, had come up with the idea of hosting a variety night sometime back. Ally and herself had been to other events, but theses had not lived up to their expectations.

So the idea for Carnival, A Masqurade Ball was born.

To be bigger, better and most of all more entertaining than the rest.

The cast and crew.