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Philosophy of the World

5 stars

 Tom Cruise take note. This is not a tribute show to the Shaggs, the 1960s all female trio who were once described as the best worst band ever. The latter may be part of the reason why Mr. Cruise bought the rights to the story of the three New Hampshire sisters forced by their father to form a band which they named after a hairstyle, but its not what this show by the three dervish-like provocateurs who make up the In Bed with My Brother troupe is about. 

 

IBWMB’s core trio of Nora Alexander, Dora Lynn and Kat Cory have instead spewed out a furious three-act explosion that begins with wordless re-enactments of the Shaggs brief lifespan, pulsed by techno driven captions and some hardcore callisthenics. Once the band splits up, those on stage take no prisoners as they run riot to illustrate how, as with the Shaggs, it is men who are the problem. 

 

This is illustrated by actor Nigel Barrett, as the women rise up to invoke the spirit of Andy Warhol’s would-be assassin Valerie Solanas by way of Pussy Riot. The result is a wild and raucous assault course emancipation. There are essays to be written about this show. 

 

Summerhall until 25 August, 10.45pm.


The List, August 2025

 

Ends 

 

 

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