I’d heard a lot about The Kaye Hole by Rueben Kaye before I attended it myself. I knew it received a five star review from The Student last year, and was the second-highest reviewed show of the 2023 Fringe. I knew that it was a late-night variety performance, hosted in the Palais du Variete in George Square Gardens. I knew that it would be an experience. And yet nothing could prepare me for the splendour, excitement, and thrill of seeing The Kaye Hole live for myself. There was everything anyone could ask for.
Things kicked off with Trigger Happy, performing an excerpt from one of the most buzzy shows of this year’s Fringe: Swamplesque. Next up was the hilarious French comic Celya AB, who commanded the attention of her audience and kept us laughing at every moment. Celya was followed by Jacqueline Furey, displaying some truly outrageous sword-swallowing to the background track of Cake’s “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” We were only halfway done, and I felt like I was experiencing a revelation.
Our next performance was from the comedic belter Michelle Brasier, who treated us to some wonderful musical comedy. We then witnessed some full-frontal nudity and mind-blowing fire breathing from Stamptown’s Marshall Arkley. The show concluded with an incredible encore by Tara Booth involving hula-hoops, lathered butter, popcorn, and even more nudity (… no spoilers).
Guiding and headlining the entire affair was the one and only Rueben Kaye. A show like this might fall apart in less capable hands, but there’s truly no one better suited to this job than Reuben Kaye. For an hour and a half, we were spellbound by his charisma. His dedication to
uplifting young artists, supporting queer performance, and creating a safe space for art and for pleasure is abundantly clear. He is not only a first-class performer, but a first-class advocate for art and artistry.
The Kaye Hole is wacky, thrilling, and unexpected. The entire affair feels like an expression of unadulterated queer joy. I cannot think of any show which exemplifies the spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe more.
The Kaye Hole has sold out its 2024 Edinburgh run. Reuben Kaye will be performing in London in September; more details and tickets are available here.
Images by Kyam Ross provided to The Student for press use.