ED2019 Cabaret ED2019 Preview Edition ED2019 Three To See

Three To See 2019: Cabaret Treats

By Caro Moses | Published on Wednesday 31 July 2019

ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses helps you navigate the Festival with her Three To See tips. This time three cabaret treats.

Super Hugh-Man | Assembly George Square Studios | 31 Jul-26 Aug (pictured)
This is a show that really jumped out at me from the pages of the Fringe Programme when I first perused the Cabaret section a few weeks ago. Then I realised, that’s probably because it’s played to acclaim at the Fringe before. But I missed seeing it last time, which is why I added it straight to my 2019 priority list. And then, because I am not selfish, I thought I’d tell you all about it too. It’s a solo show following the journey of a young Maori who finds himself, through the inspiration of his hero, coming to realise that it’s okay to be a different kind of man. It’s delivered via the media of comedy, storytelling, dance, song and Maori cultural performing arts, and we already know it’s excellent. Listing here.

Just Desserts | Underbelly Cowgate | 1-11 Aug
This is another import from down under, and I recommend it to all of you out there who have a sweet tooth. For lo, it involves dessert. No, not just in the title, real dessert: the star of the show, award-winning Australian cabaret star Michelle Pearson creates and serves up delicious confections, all while delivering a hugely entertaining and interesting show. “Featuring a live rock-pop-powered soundtrack, this sensual chanteuse explores empowerment, social pressure, our obsession with perfection and desire through song, sex and sugar”. Super. Listing here.

Ada Campe And The Psychic Duck | The Stand’s New Town Theatre | 3-25 Aug
For our final cabaret pick, I thought we might head over to Edinburgh’s New Town for a date with the wonderful Ada Campe, who brings her Psychic Duck show back to The Stand’s New Town Theatre for another run. Ada, the comedy alter-ego of performer and researcher Naomi Paxton, is a comical and brilliant raconteur who is keen on audience participation and has a long and entertaining story to tell. And from what I have heard (I’ve not yet had the pleasure of seeing it myself) this show is truly bonkers. But you know, bonkers is good, especially when it’s a show involving clairvoyant anatids, and particularly if you’ve been recently overdosing on highbrow edfringe tragedies. Listing here.