Past Events
- The Institute of Ideas at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Roundtable Rumbles
- Reviewing as a spectator sport...
- Venue: C central, Carlton Hotel, North Bridge, Edinburgh
- Date: August 10, 2003 to August 16, 2003
- Time: 10pm
- Tickets: Free but ticketed
- Booking: Phone 0870 701 5105
Following 2002's sellout run, the Institute of Ideas and Fringe present another round of late-night reviewing as spectator sport! A panel of critics and guest reviewers discusses shows on a different theme each night. Then the audience of fringe-goers and performers joins the intellectual bearpit.
Sunday 10: Dreams and the supernatural
Magic, surrealism and fantasy are all popular on the Fringe. From gothic nightmare to drug- induced ecstasy, dozens of shows explore unreal worlds. Is magic taking the place of religion? Is the line between sanity and psychosis thinner than we thought? What is reality anyway?
Monday 11: Politics and corruption
'Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' Is Lord Acton's dictum true? Popular cynicism about politicians and big business is certainly reflected on the Fringe. Is this a sign of incipient rebellion or have we lost faith in politics, and even humanity, altogether?
Tuesday 12: Morbid fascinations?
Old taboos are fading, and some argue we should be more open about death and the dead body. Many artists use the visceral effect of dead bodies to challenge the way we think about ourselves. Can theatre play a similar role? Is death on the Fringe healthy realism or ghoulish exploitation?
Wednesday 13: Identity crisis
We are constantly told that we live in a multicultural society, and that new technology is transforming the way we understand ourselves. What do Fringe shows tell us about individual, ethnic and other forms of identity? Are we any more than products of culture or biology?
Thursday 14: War and Terror
Nearly two years into the official start of the War on Terror, geopolitical strife continues to exert a powerful influence on new writing for Fringe, and on the treatment of the classics. What does the Fringe tell us about Terror and our response to it?
Friday 15: Dysfunctional families
Few people today harbour illusions that family life is all sweetness and light, and drama thrives on family discord, so families on the Fringe tend to have more than their share of problems. Are our relationships really so fraught? Are we all dysfunctional now?
Saturday 16: Visions of America
Traditionally, America has been represented as a place of hope and dreams, albeit sometimes frustrated ones. But the 9/11 terrorist attacks highlighted a more hostile attitude, and intensified doubts Americans feel about what their country stands for. How is this reflected on the Fringe?
Critics include:
- Tim Abrahams
- Guardian Guide
- Neil Cooper
- Herald
- Dolan Cummings
- Culture Wars
- Robert Dawson Scott
- The Times
- Thom Dibdin
- Evening News, Stage
- Diane Dubois
- Scotsman
- Mark Fisher
- The List
- Claire Fox
- Institute of Ideas
- Joyce McMillan
- Scotsman
- Ian Shuttleworth
- Financial Times
PLUS SPECIAL GUEST REVIEWERS
Open mike slots:
Time will be reserved at the Round Table Rumbles for performers / companies to advertise their shows in front of the nightly panels of critics. Can you sell your show in 60 seconds? Are you keen to get critics to review your play? Come and persuade them.
