Top 10 Things to see at the Edinburgh Fringe

At this year's Edinburgh fringe I saw 35 shows, around 1% of the total on offer but here are my top recommendations. There were a couple of notable shows that did not quite make the top 10 recommendations: “Keith Moon: the real me” for Who fans, “Now that is what I call Brexit” for musical satire fans and “Paris de Nuit” for circus fans but here are my favourites ten.

The Dots ★★★★★

The Dots are a sophisticated singing trio, elegantly dressed, stylishly choreographed and word perfect ..at least they were until the soprano stormed out and the mezzo died. The remaining Dot Helen played by Helen Colby decides to carry on with under rehearsed understudies, Macey Cherett who wants to incorporate magic and Nerine Skinner an enthusiastic amateur. The joy of this show is that they each totally inhabit these comic creations.

Knock Knock ★★★★★

It is devised and performed by the Founders of Hot Coals Theatre, Clare-Louise English and Jo Sargeant who work so well together. You hardly notice that there are no words as they use movement and facial expressions synchronised with the beautiful underscore to tell their story. With their comical noses and Harris's sumptuous beard, so much of the emotion is expressed through their eyes and they exploit this wonderfully, never rushing the moment and always aware of the audience watching them. 

EDINBURGH FRINGE REVIEW: Knock Knock at the Assembly Roxy

Hot Coals Theatre have hit headlines this Fringe as their unique charming style of theatre without words has not been classified as d/deaf accessible because it does not have BSL signing and yet both performers are BSL trained and have designed the show to be accessible for all without signing.

It is an extraordinary mix of physical comedy, clowning, mime and dance used to create emotionally engaging storytelling. "Knock Knock" explores what happens when a botanist, Pepper, knocks on the door of a forest dweller, Harris. 

It is devised and performed by the Founders of Hot Coals Theatre, Clare-Louise English and Jo Sargeant who work so well together. You hardly notice that there are no words as they use movement and facial expressions synchronised with the beautiful underscore to tell their story. With their comical noses and Harris's sumptuous beard, so much of the emotion is expressed through their eyes and they exploit this wonderfully, never rushing the moment and always aware of the audience watching them.

REVIEW: Knock Knock at the EM Forster studio and on tour

Hot Coals Theatre are establishing a unique charming style of theatre without words that is an extraordinary mix of physical comedy, clowning, mime and dance used to create emotionally engaging storytelling. Their first production "A storm in a tea cup" dealt with old age and was inspired by Chekov's "Three sisters". Their second "Finders Keeper" explored the love between a parent and child and was inspired by the story of Moses in the Bullrushes. This third production "Knock Knock" explores what happens when a botanist, Pepper, knocks on the door of a forest dweller, Harris and reminded me of the TV ad for TV Licensing when a couple fast forward through their life together. 

It is devised and performed by the Founders of Hot Coals Theatre, Clare-Louise English and Jo Sargeant who work so well together. You hardly notice that there are no words as they use movement and facial expressions synchronised with the beautiful underscore to tell their story. With their comical noses and Harris's sumptuous beard, so much of the emotion is expressed through their eyes and they exploit this wonderfully, never rushing the moment and always aware of the audience watching them.