Working Differently - Edinburgh Fringe edition - Blubber, 23 and Me, 16 Postcodes

Three shows about shifting identity and a moan about reviewers using phones

I saw a lot of shows at Edinburgh. Most of them were pretty good, but one thing that really bugged me was reviewers making notes on their phones during productions.

It’s really rude! It is distracting for the audience and disrespectful to the poor performer who is trying to fight for attention with your phone light. It’s not just a young people habit either; I’ve seen young newbie reviewers doing it, yes, but also people who have spent most of their lives dealing without a smartphone in their pocket, so why start making notes on it now? when pen and paper has served perfectly well for most of your life? And when an audience member asks them politely to put their phone away; the arrogance! ‘I can’t! I need it!’ one reviewer snapped back this week. This only further took attention away from the performance.

I’m always excruciatingly self-conscious when I take out my pen and paper, especially if I’ve ended up in the front row. I’m paranoid that the simple action of my scribbles will throw…