EDINBURGH FRINGE: Sam Blythe: Method in My Madness (a one man Hamlet) at Assembly George Square Studio Four***** Animal Farm at Assembly George Square Studio One*****

With well over 3,000 productions to choose from, seeing two shows by the same actor is a bit of an indulgence.

But indulge myself I did after seeing Sam Blythe’s stand-out performance in Method in My Madness. As I left the auditorium I was already booking a ticket to see his other show less than two hours later.

The Fringe’s most prolific producer, Olivier Award-winning Guy Masterson can always be relied on to bring top rated shows to Edinburgh, and this year is no exception.

Although he didn’t direct this play it carried his hallmark excellence with Blythe giving a tour de force performance as a man of whom we could ask – to be or not to be Hamlet?

When he thinks he is being watched he lapses into the character of Hamlet every time he wears a red nose, swapping roles seamlessly (and playing a very convincing ghost) and at a pace which would floor many, especially as he also brings clowning, physical theatre and magic into the mix.

It’s a show which works well in an intimate space and yet the magnificence of the performance deserves an audience the size of a West End theatre. So how could I not hang about for Blythe’s next show!

Animal Farm is one of Masterson’s own stalwarts and was directed by him. Together they make a winning combination.

I couldn’t believe the energy Blythe puts into this show, having given his all less than two hours before (and daily until the 24th).

In a one-man marathon he inhabits the characters of all of the animals in George Orwell’s political satire, again using physical theatre as well as a multitude of voices.

Must sees if you can!

Image: Sam Blythe in Animal Farm

Sam Blythe: Method in My Madness (a one man Hamlet) is at Assembly George Square Studio Four at 10.40am until Aug 24 assemblyfestival.com

Animal Farm is at Assembly George Square Studio One at 1pm until Aug 24 assemblyfestival.com