An Act Of Grace – Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, theSpace @ Niddry Street

Writer: John Muggleton

Director: Lindsay Laviolette

After their excellent, award-winning production of Burn two years ago, Ottawa Little Theatre make a welcome return to the Fringe with another sassy and surprising mystery thriller from the inspired pen of John Muggleton. Or is it a dark comedy? Discuss.

The company run their own theatre back home and are all volunteers, but there is nothing amateurish about them. This is world class community theatre. Once again, they have produced an absolute gem of a show, perfect for the Fringe – gripping, intense, edgy, highly amusing – yet comfortably packed into an hour. Having said that, its distinctively dark themes and the liberal use of the f-word mean it won’t suit everyone.

The shock opening sees a man urging another to shoot a hooded woman, in what appears to be a pleasant suburban setting. Thankfully, we’re then taken back in time, to see what led up to such a calamitous situation. Sometime local golf legend Chuck (Kurt Shantz), now a financial adviser, engages in awkward small-talk with lawyer Tony (Christian Giansante), in the well-appointed home of the titular Grace (Venetia Lawless).

They wonder, as do we, why they’ve both been invited round. Very quickly, we’re shown chinks in Chuck and Tony’s armour; their well-observed unease produces plenty of tense laughter. When Grace joins them, we learn that she has only months to live and has a rather unusual plan. The company is giving away badges that celebrate one of her lines.

How the witty and well-confected yarn plays out from there, you’ll have to discover for yourself. The plot is so important in this piece, I have no desire to spoil any of its twists and turns. What I can tell you is that Muggleton’s quickfire dialogue positively crackles and fizzes. The superb cast and masterly direction make this a stand-out Fringe experience. It works well in the thrust theatre space, too. Having already attracted an enthusiastic crowd to their first show, I imagine the company will be playing to many more festival-goers, before returning to Canada in triumph.

Runs until 24 August 2024 | Image: Contributed