Bluffstone is Starvin'

Monday 4th August 09.30

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Once the Edinburgh Fringe shows begin to appear online, way back in February I begin the laborious process of selecting those that interest me and begin to put an itinerary together. Weirdly, the most important factors in making the final shortlist are the starting time and venue.

Take Monday for example. The original plan was to meet Darkchatters Kate, Carl, Dylan and Harri at Edinburgh Waverley at 11 30am. Due to Storm Floris they actually came up the previous day so technically there was no need to look for a show starting about 9 30 am. However, I rather like coming into the Scottish capital when the festival is just waking up from the night before. This is also a time when it can be tricky for a show to find an audience so I feel like some kind of theatrical trailblazer. It also gives me the opportunity to take a chance on a show I wouldn't normally select.

The above explains why I find myself in the luxurious surroundings of Space on the Mile, eg Radisson Blue watching "Bluffstone is Starvin". You normally have a clue about what show you are seeing from the blurb in the brochure but having read "an absurd trial of emaciation, betrayal and a pantomime horse" I was left confused, and intrigued.

And to some extent that is what I think about the play. Esme Cornish's (also, impressively the director and Dolly) play is set in the Wild West where drifters Noah and Durlin are passing through. They like the town and its inhabitants but it soon becomes clear that there is not enough food for everyone. Noah becomes jealous when Durlin shows an interest in Dolly and they have to decide where their future lies.

String Cheese Theatre are a young company and there's clearly talent here. The acting and stage presence is variable but the musicianship by the house band is excellent, with new music written by Musical Director Zach Hodges, who proves his versatility with a lovely cameo as bar tender Sam.

When watching a new play I love trying to second guess the ending and I was a little disappointed when they went down the melodramatic route. However, I was blind sided when Esme provided a beautiful and unexpected closing scene which left this reviewer rather emotional.

Bluffstone is Starvin' has its faults but it's highs are amongst my favourite moments of this fringe. And top of that list is Alex Payne's stunning version of Vance Randolph's "Starving To Death on a Government Claim".

So, if you fancy some good early morning drama head to Space on the Mile. Oh, did I mention there's a pantomime horse?

Bluffstone is Starvin' is running daily at theSpace on the Mile until August 13th (not 10th) - details here