David Callaghan(d)

Each year, the Minx and I like to go up and spend two or three days at the Edinburgh festival. This year it was clear that we weren't going to be able to manage any nights away, so instead we opted to make it a day trip. And this time with some of the kids. (Charlie, admittedly, is twenty-seven but she is unarguably still one of my kids.)

We took the train up from Oxenholme just after eight, arriving in Edinburgh with plenty of time to grab some breakfast before David Callaghan's show. I met David on my first trip to the Fringe, as documented here, in my old Tumblr blog from 2012. Once again, this year, I took a photograph of his hand, which once upon a time used to serve as a 'set list' for his gigs.

This year's show was a refinement of last year's but, of course, the kids hadn't seen it and I enjoyed it all over again, especially as I got to participate, this time around (see extras*). After that, Charlie, who was at university in Edinburgh, took Abi and the miniMinx on short guided tour while the Minx and I had a couple of pints with David, who recommended we go to see Jack Evans' show 'Work.'

As it happened, the Minx and miniMinx were off to find some dance, so it was me, Charlie, and Abi who went along to see 'Work'. The show started with Evans asking who liked their job. Disappointingly only Charlie and I put our hands up but as we were sat just beneath a spotlight, I don't think he saw us. 

Which was just as well as it might have spoiled the thrust of the show, which was a protracted rant around the nature of work, bosses, and so on. And very funny it was, too, if somewhat depressing that Evans can usually be confident of an audience who all hate their jobs. 

After that, we took a brief break from the Fringe to visit 'Rip It Up', the story of Scottish pop at the National Museum of Scotland. And it must be said that Scotland has produced a phenomenal amount of great pop talent. The exhibition is really well done and I'd highly recommend it, even if, inevitably, I was dissatisfied with the section on Simple Minds. 

After that, we met the Minx and miniMinx for a bite to eat and then we went to see 'Showstoppers', which the Minx and miniMinx saw at Latitude and were keen for me to see. Now, bearing in mind it's a show consisting of an improvised musical and that I dislike musicals and am also wary of improvised comedy, I really had my reservations about this.

However, a twitter friend, who apparently shares my reservations about these things, has been to see it three times, so I decided to give it a go. And it was amazing! Every aspect of it - the music, the acting, improvised dialogue and storyline - was astounding. Plus, it reached a perfect conclusion that couldn't have been better if scripted.

Then, finally, it was back to Waverley and the train home. What a fantastic day. 

*This is Charlie's photo, lifted from her Instagram 'story'. It probably breaks some rule of Blipetiquette but, hey, it's the only visual record.

****
Scale upload malfunction but 94.7 I think it was
0 words
‘A History Of Seven Killings’ by Marlon James