Minging Detectives - verdict on last year's show

It was a real relief to clear the air, talking to a group of Socks fans at our penultimate Edinburgh Preview for Socks Do Shakespeare in Bristol last week, to address the Minging Detectives question. They brought it up, not me, two folks saying, quite independently, "we saw Minging Detectives last year", with a tone to the voice that said it all.

It's been the elephant in the room since we performed it last year, and I've put it behind me now. But finally, having got a new show together which (if the previews are anything to go by) is actually funny, and works structurally, I can look back at 2015's show and say what needed saying. Let's be honest, Minging Detectives wasn't very good.


Re-reading my blogs from Edinburgh 2015, you can see I was troubled by it at the time. I was quite miserable in fact, and the misery never completely lifted. I was performing a show which didn't quite work and which was letting our regular fans down, without doing much to attract new ones. Our ticket sales kept up with previous years (though week 3 saw an unusual decline) but we had next to no reviews, and I can't help feeling our lack of positive word-of-mouth must have been a tangible factor.

So why wasn't Minging Detectives as good as our other shows? To look at the promotional materials you'd think it was our best. It certainly had more Twitter ads, my favourite flyer design, and I was particularly proud of the cartoon ads full of puns that I made for the show. Trouble is, I probably spent more time doing those than I did writing the show.

A big difference between spring 2015 and this year is that I spent an awful lot of time working in schools last year, without so much time at my desk writing. This meant that I had more money saved up by the time of Edinburgh, but it also meant less attention had been given to the writing and re-writing that a show requires.

This year we've had a very good Edinburgh Preview schedule, which has given me a good number of shows, with time enough in between them to write and rewrite things. We previewed our very first Shakespeare material in Leicester in February - half of which made it to the final show. We continued scattering Shakespeare items throughout the touring shows, then by May in Brighton & Birmingham we had Previews which very closely resemble the show we ended up with. All that was missing were some running jokes, smoother costume changes, and crucially their "breaking up" song towards the end. Then we spend June with next to no shows, meaning I could write all the missing stuff, edit it together, then the nine Preview shows in July were perfect for practising, polishing, and getting it right. If the Edinburgh run is as good as the last two Preview shows in Bristol and Blaenavon, then we will be very happy.

2015 looked like this. In June I had two previews where the Minging Detectives hour was still peppered with, and relying on, material from the previous year's show. This only left 5 previews in July to try and complete the structure and material, a task that was never quite achieved.

Also too much of Minging Detectives material was 'marmite'. Love it or hate it stuff which left audiences either divided or cold. Beginning with the songs, The Black & White Minstrels Old Man River Police had far too many old references, and left some people unsure whether we were being ironic or just racist, while Hello Muddah Intifada was what the phrase "too soon" was invented for. Even my favourite song in the show, Tie A Yellow Ribbon, had toilet humour that wasn't to everyone's taste.

Then the sketches lacked any greats. Gangsta Drug Dealer was good, and a lot of people were fond of the running gags in it, but it didn't lead anywhere much. The TV parodies like The Sweary and The Killing weren't quite funny enough. And the ending of the show, where we wound up doing a bank robbery, was just rubbish. I shudder when I think of the Coppers Cabana song, which was awful. Brrrrrrrrr. (Don't look for these on Youtube, they never made it up there). Added to this, I had recurring problems with losing my voice - a result of doing art classes during the day throughout our Edinburgh run, something which I have chosen not to do this year.

So, can I just say sorry to everyone, Socks fans and newcomers alike, who came to last year's Minging Detectives, for the show not being up to our usual standard. It had to happen sometime, and 2015 was that time. All I can do is reassure you that 2016's Socks Do Shakespeare sets out to make up for last year's disappointments. We hope you'll enjoy it.

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do Shakespeare every night at 10.30pm at the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe August 2016. BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment

★★★★★ "Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous" - Brighton Argus May 2016
★★★★ "Eat your heart out, Olivier" - What's On May 2016 
★★★★ "Comedy genius at work" - Theatre Bath April 2016 

Aug 3 - 29 - 10.30pm The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe 

New Socks Do Shakespeare t shirt

Here it is in its full glory, the Socks Do Shakespeare Limited Edition t-shirt. So who wants one?

The new Socks Do Shakespeare t-shirts are available now, with priority being given to the punters of our show at the Edinburgh Fringe. If you want one, speak now. Here's how:

IN EDINBURGH: Whenever you're in town, text me on 07931 810858 with the size you want and we'll fix up a rendezvous. (The queue on the way into the show, or just after it is good. Or any day, out on the streets, I can meet you). These shirts are just £15 each.

BY POST: If you can't make it to Edinburgh and want to order one - pay £18/$28 by Paypal to sockpuppets@sitcomtrials.co.uk including in your order the size you want and your full address and a shirt will be yours by post.

Be quick, once this short print run have gone, they've gone.

The t shirts are black, bearing the new Socks Do Shakespeare roundel, as you can see above. Available sizes are:

Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL, Female Small and Female Medium.



On our return in September, as consolation, we have a goodly supply of Classic Socks t shirts still available, but we won't be able to post any of these till then. Sorry.

You can also find a bizarre range of Classic Socks design merchandise over at our WeeShoppie on Cafepress, including hats, pants, thongs, golf balls, jigsaw puzzles, clocks, mugs and a dog hoodie. You heard me.

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do Shakespeare every night at 10.30pm at the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe August 2016. BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment

★★★★★ "Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous" - Brighton Argus May 2016
★★★★ "Eat your heart out, Olivier" - What's On May 2016 
★★★★ "Comedy genius at work" - Theatre Bath April 2016 

Aug 3 - 29 - 10.30pm The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe 

Norwich to Newcastle & all points NSEW - my July Travels

Coffee and a Tardis. One of these things I have, one of these I could use more of on my travels.

How many miles? I can't begin to imagine. But here's what Kev F's travels in July look like already.

Having driven back from Hexham on the last day of June, I was straight off to Romsey the following day. Then to Norwich where Hev and I stayed over for two nights while I did art classes there on the Saturday.

To Derby where the Socks did an afternoon Sunday show, and home. Then, after a day in the studio, to Birmingham for classes. Then I have half my Wednesday wasted by a school (local luckily) who's invited me in to sort out my DBS certificate, which will then stand me in stead for all my other schools, then they can't do it cos they'd forgotten I was coming and haven't got time to do it. I have one day in my office, and they waste half of it. Thankyou, school that shall remain nameless, but is local and I'll have done 3 days there this term.

If it's Thursday it must be The Sitcom Trials in Dalston, then on Friday it's the Socks in Dartmouth. Saturday is the Sitcom Trials in Birminghham, and on Sunday the Socks doing an afternoon show in Tring. And home.

And first thing Monday morning I get the 7am flight to Newcastle (not cancelled this time, thankfully), in order to spend half a day on a boat doing a class for The Beano.

Tuesday, a day in the office, Wednesday get the car serviced and get the Socks' Edinburgh poster artworked while I'm at Robins & Day waiting to pick it up.

Thursday, Socks in Harborough, staying over with Mum. Friday and Saturday, making the three hour dash to the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, having not know when my classes started, schlepping a flipchart up hill and down dale, then sweltering in a tent for some strenuous but enjoyable classes. Overnight in Lowestoft inbetween (what, you thought I'd be camping? In these shoes?)

Then from day 2 at Latitude to stay again with Mum in Kibworth (thus missing the Cardiff Sitcom Trials, the only one of the 6 Heats that I couldn't make it to). Sunday morning I zoom from Kibworth to Sheffield for a Socks afternoon show, then to Manchester for a 6.30 Socks show, followed by the Sitcom Trials at 8.30. Yes, three shows in a day. Followed by the drive home to Clevedon, getting in at 1.45am.

Then three luxurious days without any travel, oh the luxury - including two of the hottest days of the year, which I actually got the chance to take advantage of. Got the artwork for the back of the Socks Edinburgh flyer done, sat out in the park.

Thursday to Barnes where I did a Comic Art Masterclass in the afternoon followed by a Socks show in the evening, both good (and apparently Alistair MacGowan was in the crowd and liked the show, which is nice.) Hev and I stayed over in Richmond, at the lovely Richmond Hill Hotel, where I'm typing this. Tonight the Socks in Bedford, tomorrow the Sitcom Trials in Glasgow. Monday half a day class in Yeovil, Tuesday & Wednesday, classes in a local school, Thursday the Socks in Bristol, Friday an art class in Porthcawl followed by the Socks' final Edfringe Preview in Blaenavon.

It's looking like Edinburgh will be marginally more restful than the month leading up to it. It's good to be busy.

To recap, that's: Hexham, Romsey, Norwich, Derby, Birmingham, Backwell, Dalston, Dartmouth, Birmingham, Tring, Newcastle, Bristol, Market Harborough, Latitude, Lowestoft, Kibworth, Sheffield, Manchester, Barnes, Bedford, Glasgow, Yeovil, Backwell, Bristol, Porthcawl, Blaenavon and next stop Edinburgh.

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do Shakespeare at the Edinburgh Fringe August 2016 - see the previews in your town!

★★★★★ "Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous" - Brighton Argus May 2016
★★★★ "Eat your heart out, Olivier" - What's On May 2016 
★★★★ "Comedy genius at work" - Theatre Bath April 2016 

July 8 - Flavel, Dartmouth
July 10 - Tring Festival 
July 14 - Market Harborough Theatre
July 17 - Sheffield New Barrack Tavern 2pm

July 17 - Greater Manchester Fringe , Kings Arms Salford 7pm

July 21 - Barnes Fringe
July 22 - Bedford Fringe
July 28 - The Lansdown, Clifton, Bristol - NEW DATE ADDED
July 30 - Blaenavon Rhymney Brewery 
Aug 3 - 29 - 10.30pm The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe  

The Socks' First Gig / Worst Gig

Esteemed comedy website Chortle runs a feature where they ask comedians about their First Gigs, Worst Gigs etc. Here were our replies...

Chortle First Gig Worst Gig

First gig?

The Scottish Falsetto Socks first appeared as part of The Sitcom Trials (which is also on at Edinburgh this year, its Grand Final is August 23rd). Kev F (the writer) had written a couple of two handers that he didn't want the actors to bugger up. So he turned up at the writers meeting with socks on his hands and did a silly voice. A new act was born. (NB: ...then handed over to us, two actual socks who genuinely talk, and sing and all the rest).

Worst gig?

We once played in a bandstand at the Adelaide Fringe, to promote our show that night. The front of the stage got mobbed by 6 year old kids, all shouting "we can see your willy". This lasted for the whole 20 minute set. And was, we should also point out, factually inaccurate. It was mostly bollocks.

The weirdest gig?

If every act has had to perform on the dance floor of a night club where the lights were on a sound-to-light system so they flashed with every consonant you spoke, or done a gig full of 5 year olds after which the Mayor of Hartlepool (for there it was) received a letter of complaint stating that, because of us, a mother had had "to explain the word cock to my five year old", then we've done gigs no weirder than anyone else.

Favourite show, ever?

Every year we write a different one hour show, from Socks In Space the sci fi show, through the horror show Boo Lingerie, to last year's crime show Minging Detectives. Obviously we think this year's show ...Do Shakespeare is our favourite.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

Last year's 'Hello Muddah Intifada', a song sung by a British kid who's run off to join Islamic State seemed to divide the room. "I thought we'd be liberating, we do more de-capitating" was one of the lines you could call 'Marmite'.

Who's the most disagreeable comic/promoter/agent you've come across in the business?

One act, who shall remain nameless, was doing a show so popular at Edinburgh they needed extra slots, so they were given the slot before ours. Of course they didn't finish on time, cos they were so big and famous, so our get-in time came and went. Then the start time of our show passed too. We figured we'd help out the act after us by sneaking backstage and setting up props ready for a swift handover. So we ended up only starting 20 minutes late instead of 30. The next day I got a sniffy email from my venue's technical manager, not (as I expected) apologising for Starry McStarpants overrunning, but telling us off and threatening us with a fine for sneaking backstage during Star-Who-Had-Obviously-Reported-Us-To-Teacher's overlong set. I was well pleased when that jobsworth got sacked. Starry act remains popular with some people.

What's your best insider travel tip, for touring comics?

Greggs gives you gout. (Obviously run that one past the lawyers, maybe change it to Ginsters). Eating nothing but salty sludge in pastry is a very bad diet, but when you're looking for food after 11pm when all but late night petrol stations have shut, this is what'll happen.

The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?

We can't see the audience during the show (because we're blinded by the lights obviously, no other reason). So finding out you've had famous people in is fun. We've had Jack Straw in before now, luckily neither of us bombed that night.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

As long as people keep coming to see us deliver our earnest attempts at serious art, which somehow get engulfed in a slurry of music hall routines and tortuous gags every time, we'll be happy. And we like to think they will be too.

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Do Shakespeare is at Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe from 3rd - 29th August at 10.30pm. More info and tickets available at http://tinyurl.com/soxedGB16

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do Shakespeare at the Edinburgh Fringe August 2016 - see the previews in your town!

★★★★★ "Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous" - Brighton Argus May 2016
★★★★ "Eat your heart out, Olivier" - What's On May 2016 
★★★★ "Comedy genius at work" - Theatre Bath April 2016 

July 8 - Flavel, Dartmouth
July 10 - Tring Festival 
July 14 - Market Harborough Theatre
July 17 - Sheffield New Barrack Tavern 2pm

July 17 - Greater Manchester Fringe , Kings Arms Salford 7pm

July 21 - Barnes Fringe
July 22 - Bedford Fringe
July 28 - The Lansdown, Clifton, Bristol - NEW DATE ADDED
July 30 - Blaenavon Rhymney Brewery 
Aug 3 - 29 - 10.30pm The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe  

Trumpocalypse - a wall of Trump comics by kids

I blogged a while back, when kids had come up with Donald Trump based titles for the comics we made in their Comic Art Masterclasses. Well, the trend shows no sign of abating, with these examples culled from classes at Latitude Festival, Bucharest, Hexham, Swindon, Birmingham, Bethnal Green, Chorley, Plymouth, Birmingham again, and Darlington.


We're only halfway through the year, and the election's not until November, so I'm expecting a lot more of this nonsense still to come. Trump is far and away the personality kids have chosen to feature in their work more often than anyone else. Simon Cowell still gets selected the most as the person to put into my demonstration strip, but to be drawn on the front cover, it's the wiggy nazi every time.



Kev F Sutherland, as well as writing and drawing for The Beano, Marvel, Doctor Who et al, runs Comic Art Masterclasses in schools, libraries and art centres - email for details, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. View the promo video here. 

"A hit show once again" - North West End Socks review

Never let it be said we only retweet our best reviews. Here's one which, in Edinburgh Fringe terminology, "reads like a 4". From North West End's Poppy Stewart, reviewing Socks Do Shakespeare preview in Manchester on Sunday.

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Do Shakespeare - King's Arms, Salford

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre have been a fringe favourite for years, first created in 2005 and appearing in many festivals and touring ever since. Writer and performer Kev F Sutherland blends comedy sketches, audience suggestions, music and songs to form a usually hilarious show, this year focusing on the works of Shakespeare. I've seen several performances previously at the Edinburgh Fringe, and so my expectations were very high.


Unfortunately on this occasion, my expectations were not met. Sutherland's patter was often falling on deaf ears, with the majority of the audience seeming to anticipate a more serious show. As probably the only Scot in the room, I enjoyed some of the local references, but again these weren't greatly received.

Negatives aside, Sutherland is clearly very good at what he does. His two sock characters (who both have the same voice, confusingly) have a well-developed relationship and demonstrate some impressive costume changes! There was clever use of music, combining popular music with the plot lines of Shakespeare. Sutherland also proved his considerable knowledge by taking audience suggestions and improvising gags on the spot.

When the spoof scenes came they were great, but the long 'fannying about' in between lost momentum quickly, and made the audience lose interest. The show still feels a little confused, and probably needs more development before its arrival at the Edinburgh Fringe. However after seeing the popularity north of the border, and the way Sutherland thrives off audience reaction, I'm sure he won't have any problems creating a hit show once again.


Reviewer: Poppy Stewart
Reviewed: 17th July 2016
North West End Rating: ★★★

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do Shakespeare at the Edinburgh Fringe August 2016 - see the previews in your town!

★★★★★ "Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous" - Brighton Argus May 2016
★★★★ "Eat your heart out, Olivier" - What's On May 2016 
★★★★ "Comedy genius at work" - Theatre Bath April 2016 

July 8 - Flavel, Dartmouth
July 10 - Tring Festival 
July 14 - Market Harborough Theatre
July 17 - Sheffield New Barrack Tavern 2pm

July 17 - Greater Manchester Fringe , Kings Arms Salford 7pm

July 21 - Barnes Fringe
July 22 - Bedford Fringe
July 28 - The Lansdown, Clifton, Bristol - NEW DATE ADDED
July 30 - Blaenavon Rhymney Brewery 
Aug 3 - 29 - 10.30pm The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe  

"Highly recommended for those who are still children at heart" - Sheffield Socks Review

Always love a nice review. This is from a blog by @ClaireAChapman, reviewing the Socks, and the other acts, doing their Edinburgh Previews at Sheffield's New Barrack Tavern on Sunday afternoon.

Kicking off the afternoon to evening, in the beautiful walled suntrap of a pub garden, was the Scottish Falsetoo Sock Puppet Theatre, who will be performing their show "Scottish Falsetoo Sock Puppets Do Shakespeare" at the Fringe every day from 3 to 29 August, with no show on 23 August, at 10.30pm Gilded Balloon Teviot for £5. The best way of describing the show is a one-man adult Scottish Punch and Judy show with socks, full of bad but very funny Bard related puns and hilarious original and re-worded songs, including my favourites "Fuck Up Some Shakespeare" and a unique version of Blur's "Boys and Girls", plus plays and a sonnet performed as never before. Highly recommended for those who are still children at heart and agree Shakespeare comedies are not funny enough.

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do Shakespeare at the Edinburgh Fringe August 2016 - see the previews in your town!

★★★★★ "Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous" - Brighton Argus May 2016
★★★★ "Eat your heart out, Olivier" - What's On May 2016 
★★★★ "Comedy genius at work" - Theatre Bath April 2016 

July 8 - Flavel, Dartmouth
July 10 - Tring Festival 
July 14 - Market Harborough Theatre
July 17 - Sheffield New Barrack Tavern 2pm

July 17 - Greater Manchester Fringe , Kings Arms Salford 7pm

July 21 - Barnes Fringe
July 22 - Bedford Fringe
July 28 - The Lansdown, Clifton, Bristol - NEW DATE ADDED
July 30 - Blaenavon Rhymney Brewery 
Aug 3 - 29 - 10.30pm The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe  

Adventures of UniPig - comics by kids from Latitude to a DFDS Ferry

Never let it be said that Uncle Kev is capable of saying No when offered paying work. So if DC Thomson say we'd like you to do a comic art class on a DFDS Seaways ferry docked in Newcastle, what else can I do but leap at the chance?


Great fun it was, and lovely work was done by pupils from local schools. They took away their photocopied comics, caricatures and the works, and had great photo opportunities with Dennis, who was there in his full costumed glory. So then the call goes up: would you like to do your classes for two days in a series of tents in a field on the hottest days of the year so far?

So it was that I found myself at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, working for Culture Works East, and teaching kids how to do comic art, while swatting off insects and sweating like a trooper. We didn't have a photocopier, so they didn't go away with a comic in their hands. But a couple of their teachers were there, so I might be getting return bookings out of the event (which was a well-paid event, might I add). Did I say two days at Latitude? I did, here's what else they came up with...

And I also managed a day working in a regular school last week, St James Primary in Rednal. Here were their comic creations. (Uonca Aveso was one of these titles suggested along the way - we pick the best from 30 suggestions - where the poor kid has tried to write something and neither it nor we could work out what they had in mind. Your guess is as good as anybody's.)

The celebrities these kids suggested for the demonstration strip were Simon Cowell, Dynamo, James Bond, Nigel Farage, David Attenborough, Lionel Messi and Barack Obama.

Kev F Sutherland, as well as writing and drawing for The Beano, Marvel, Doctor Who et al, runs Comic Art Masterclasses in schools, libraries and art centres. After a morning or an afternoon every pupil goes away with a photocopied comic containing a strip by every single one of them, and an individual caricature by Kev F. Please email for details, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. View the promo video 

Socks all over the Salford Star

See the Socks, all over the Salford Star.

GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE HITS THIRD WEEK IN SALFORD

Star date: 16th July 2016 GREATER MANCHESTER FRINGE ROUNDUP As the Greater Manchester Fringe hits its third week, Anthony Murphy highlights a few of the shows that audiences still need to see in Salford. From the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Do Shakespeare, to War Stories, to National Killing Day, there's a mix of comedy, gravity, fantasy and the absurd... The Greater Manchester Fringe enters its third week and with record participation from Salford venues this year, the next couple of weeks provide a veritable feast of entertainment for Salfordians. This Sunday 17th July sees the Kings Arms host the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre Do Shakespeare. This show brings a Scottish taste of fair Verona to Salford, via the ingenious method of a pair of socks interpreting Romeo and Juliet. There's also excerpts from other Shakespearian classics such as Hamlet and Coriolanusas well as the biting satire of Two Gentlesocks Of Verrucca. Winning rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe, this one hour show starts at 6.30pm and entry is £6 (£5concs).Tickets can be bought here https://www.ticketea.co.uk/tickets-scottish-falsetto-sock-puppet-theatre-do-shakespeare/

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre do Shakespeare at the Edinburgh Fringe August 2016 - see the previews in your town!

★★★★★ "Accessible, contemporary and ridiculous" - Brighton Argus May 2016
★★★★ "Eat your heart out, Olivier" - What's On May 2016 
★★★★ "Comedy genius at work" - Theatre Bath April 2016 

July 8 - Flavel, Dartmouth
July 10 - Tring Festival 
July 14 - Market Harborough Theatre
July 17 - Sheffield New Barrack Tavern 2pm

July 17 - Greater Manchester Fringe , Kings Arms Salford 7pm

July 21 - Barnes Fringe
July 22 - Bedford Fringe
July 28 - The Lansdown, Clifton, Bristol - NEW DATE ADDED
July 30 - Blaenavon Rhymney Brewery 
Aug 3 - 29 - 10.30pm The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe