Skip to content

FringeGuru

 
FringeGuru's One To Watch from the Brighton Fringe 2013

FMN AwardThe last few acts of the Brighton Fringe have played themselves out, and all eyes are starting to look to Edinburgh. But before we head north, we've some important business to complete... as we reveal the winner of our One To Watch award for Brighton 2013. It's a pleasure and an honour to be able to recognize the shows that left the strongest impression on our reviewing team.

This award is different. We haven't automatically recognised the most technically-accomplished of this year's shows - that's what our five-star ratings are for - but instead, the acts we'd like to see more of.  On this page, you'll find the shows we found most heart-warming, most quirky, most filled with promise... or somehow, indefinably, most in keeping with the true ethos of the Fringe.

Our new One To Watch award replaces our previous Editors' Choices.  For the first time this year, we've picked a single winner - together with six nominees, which we've listed in no particular order.


Winner

   
Sleeping Trees Odyssey  

The Sleeping Trees Odyssey

In this wild-eyed, fast-paced romp through Homer's Odyssey, faithfulness to the classics never gets in the way a ripping good yarn.  Recounting the tale as they recalled it, the three storytellers of Sleeping Trees use mime, music and some exceptionally well-crafted humour, melding clever verbal sparring with highly physical theatre.  For its engaging new approach to Homer's greatest hit, The Sleeping Trees Odyssey is our One To Watch this year.  Full review >>

   

NOMINEES

   
The Gambit  

The Gambit

We were drawn to this two-hander by its pop-up street performances - but we stayed for its soaring rhetoric, and thoughtfully poignant themes.  A sometimes-mournful analysis of a friendship lost, The Gambit featured daring writing and compelling acting, from an emergent but clearly-talented new company.  They win this nomination for the boldness of their vision, and their hard work bringing theatre to unexpected corners of the Fringe.  Full review >>

The Angina Monologue  

The Angina Monologue

A public health information campaign crossed with a Carry On movie, The Angina Monologue was funny and thought-provoking - and showed a streak of genuine courage, too.  Primarily exploring the psychological effects of a physical collapse, Doug Devaney's self-penned monologue delivers an important message, and an unexpectedly powerful conclusion.  Script, performance, and direction all contribute to this warm and well-structured production.  Full review >>

Mess  

Mess

Also tackling a difficult theme in a newly-engaging style, the semi-autobiographical Mess is a musical about life with anorexia.  Describing the condition in all its complexity, Caroline Horton's show had a confident rhythm, and delivered fine interplay between three compelling characters.  For its honesty and creativity around a challenging subject, Mess wins our next nomination.  Full review >>

Puddles  

Puddles

An unusual romance set in a call centre, Puddles showcased all that's best about performing at the Fringe.  Filled with sketches, skits and songs, the series of vignettes combined elegantly into a larger narrative strand - delivering a beautifully-balanced story of companionship and play.  Skilful writing and deft direction brought out the fine details of this joyously quirky piece of drama.  Full review >>

Vesta  

Vesta

Surreal and grotesque, Vesta demanded a lot from its audience: the courage to engage with it, the stomach to stay with it, and the insight to assign it a meaning.  Defying convention and spurning traditional narrative, Vesta was vivid and cruel, challenging observers to spot personal motifs amidst its contorted physical imagery.  Such daring work will never delight majorities, but we're proud to salute it as a vital and vibrant component of the Fringe.  Full review >>

Jewel  

Jewel

In Jewel, our final nominated show, a magnificent Claudia Jeffries offers a surreal and disturbing glimpse inside the world of the beauty pageant.  In the process, she unleashes a slew of challenging ideas about the way society values women, and the business of performing femininity.  Filled with energy, and bravely physical, Jewel is a show that tackles big issues - yet has the heart and the storyline to make us care about the fate of one little girl.  Full review >>

   


Congratulations to our winner and nominees.

FMN awardFringeGuru is proud to be part of the Festival Media Network, a trade association dedicated to building and improving standards for independent media at the Fringe. Our winner and nominees are entitled to use the FMN Award logo.

That's the end of our coverage of the Brighton Fringe 2013.  The directors of Fringe Guru Ltd would like to thank our reviewers Ben Aitken, Alice de Cent, Mathilda Gregory and Darren Taffinder; our copy-editor Jennifer Mills; Kata Gyöngyösi, Rosie Blackwell-Sutton, Julian Caddy and everyone at the Brighton Fringe; Dru Moore from the Brighton Fringe website; our colleagues from the Argus, Broadway Baby, Child Friendly Brighton, FringeReview and Latest 7; the managers and press officers of all Fringe venues; and most importantly all the promoters and performers who welcomed us into their shows for their invaluable support and assistance this year.  We'll see you again in 2014!

Brighton 2013 Five Stars

5 stars Theatre
Jewel


5 stars Theatre
The Trials of Harvey Matusow


5 stars Theatre
Puddles


5 stars Theatre
Bianco


5 stars Theatre
A Girl Called Owl


5 stars Theatre
My Robot Heart by Molly Naylor


5 stars Events
Horlicks and Armageddon


5 stars Theatre
Bitch Boxer


5 stars Theatre
Mess


5 stars Theatre
The Sleeping Trees Odyssey