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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Paul Merton is one of Edinburgh's busiest stars, fronting both an improvised show and a lecture on his beloved silent movie clowns. Then again, there is no tedious rehearsal involved in his impro gig, which is packing in a crowd prepared to pay handsomely for a production that has not even been written when the curtain goes up.
This year's chums are regulars Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson and Merton's girlfriend Suki Webster plus guest Mike McShane, who, after a radical diet is only half the man he used to be and now resembles a lumpy John Malkovich. To watch them at work is like watching ducks. Serene on the surface, probably much flapping underneath.
The ad hoc action, aided by audience suggestions, constantly threw up one-off comic gems. Word games revealed Simpson's verbal dexterity and invented pub scenes gave Webster the chance to display an impressive pair of operatic pipes. McShane also hooked into a musical groove as a funky tadpole.
Vranch was the most versatile, switching seamlessly from keyboard to centre stage. Merton, hilarious as himself, should steer clear of accents.
Improvisation has become an overfamiliar warhorse recently, with made-up musicals and plays hitting the stage. But few can go comedy commando as well as this bunch. Or faster. For anyone with goldfish-sized attention spans, improv is the answer.
Until 23 August (0131 226 0000, www.edfringe.com).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
