Super Second Rate

Music (storytelling, live music)

  • Accessibility:
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 18 months

Description

While clearing out her family home, Leah discovers a letter her father wrote suggesting she lacked what it takes to become a professional musician. But cellist Leah Coloff just won a Grammy and has played alongside the greatest names in contemporary music – from David Bowie to Debbie Harry. Hear her story, told through spoken word, music and song in this funny, humane show. 'Leah Coloff plays and sings with artful angularity and a rock-inflected assertiveness' (New York Times). 'As part storyteller and part singer/cellist, she seamlessly embodied the two distinct worlds.' (ICareIfYouListen.com).

Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].

General venue access

  • Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
  • Accessible entry: Via a door from street level and a lift.
  • Wheelchair access type: Temporary Ramp, Lift (Building Lift)

  • Stairs: Information not supplied

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Ali Krasner 79 days ago

I came into the show without any background info about Leah. Lovely mix of classical & original music and engaging storytelling. Her singing and playing is beautiful - would’ve loved more music in the show!

Yuko Kurahashi 81 days ago

In the past years, I have enjoyed a couple of professional musicians’ one-person story-telling works. One is Mona Golabek’s The Pianist of Willesden Lane. I also attended several works by Hershey Felder, known for his “impersonation” of famous composers. Leah Coloff’s Super Second Rate, comparable to Golabek and Felder’s works, has unique and universal elements that can be therapeutic to Coloff herself and her audiences.

https://theatrereviewskurahashi.wordpress.com/2024/08/13/telling-a-story-to-and-with-the-cello-leah-coloffs-super-second-rate/

Clare Fletcher 81 days ago

Leah’s storytelling was compelling and engaging. She is clearly highly talented and has a great, interesting story to tell. The beautiful cello pieces were joyful to listen to- and her own songs were perceptive and quirky! Another Fringe recommended show!

EW 82 days ago

We decided to see Leah based on the great reviews about her show but left disappointed. As a Grammy winner, we were surprised that she didn't play a single complete cello piece, but rather chose to play a few bars here and there, and sang 3 full songs accompanied by the plucking of her cello! Go if you like good storytelling, but if you want to listen to good cello music, give this a miss as no cello music is actually played! 3/5.

Shirley 85 days ago

Tremendous show full of emotion, mastery, entertaining and yet thought provoking and so touching. I loved the different styles of cello Whether you are a parent or grown-up child (aren’t we all?) it’s a show that’s funny, very relatable, and so naturally delivered, I loved every minute. and I’ve never seen someone sing and play like that. A true artist and inspiration. Thank you Leah. I totally related to your story and loved how you carried us with you and plucked at our heart strings.

Edward Yanisch 86 days ago

Coloff's SUPER SECOND RATE is a masterwork of storytelling, music, and musicianship. Her account of love for and struggle with her demanding first cello teacher -- who happens to be her father -- will resonate with anyone who has conflicting feelings about a strong parent. And her songs and cello playing are sublime.

Molly Kittle 89 days ago

Experiencing Leah was a true pleasure. I walked into the show unexpectedly, not knowing anything about it, and within the first five minutes found myself alternately laughing out loud and unable to hold back tears. A skilled and practiced artist in so many disciplines, Leah is extraordinary to behold. She effortlessly wove heart, humor, and music into a unique, vulnerable, personal story that also managed to intersect with my own. The show is threaded with heart stopping moments that underscore our deep well of shared human experience. As Leah excavated the stories she’d been handed she was reclaiming her power and inviting us to do the same. What a versatile performer, skilled cellist, captivating storyteller! I'm telling everyone I meet about this show.


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

TheatreReviewsKurahashi 77 days ago

Coloff’s show empowers all those who deal with similar skeletons and ghosts of their parents.

Read the full review

Edinburgh Festival Magazine (4/5 stars) 78 days ago

The songs in this performance were wonderful.

Read the full review

Broadway Baby (4/5 stars) 80 days ago

Personal and unusual; presented both as an autobiography and a mini concert.

Read the full review

Theatre Reviews Kurahashi 81 days ago

Her original songs—“I am,” “Advice,” and “Dear, Sincerely”—are a testament to her creativity and artistry in the area of composition of non-classical music and poetry.

Read the full review


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

Please login to add a review


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.