Writer: John Lutz Adaptor: Rebecca Reid Director: Gordon Greenberg In a theatrical landscape populated with book, TV and movie adaptations, along comes Single White Female. Based on Barbet Schroeder’s 1992 film, which was in turn based on John Lutz’s 1990 novel SWF Seeks Same. Rebecca Reid’s adaptation takes the essential themes of the film but tweaks them to varying degrees of success in this new stage version. Instead of creating a 1990s-set re-make, it is firmly planted in our social media saturated world. Allie’s faithful furry companion Buddy, arguably the most memorable event in the celluloid version, has now morphed into teenage…
Author: The Reviews Hub - Scotland
The Reviews Hub - Scotland
The Scotland team is under the editorship of Lauren Humphreys. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. We aim to review all professional types of theatre, whether that be Commercial, Repertory or Fringe as well as Comedy, Music, Gigs etc.
Book: Enda Walsh Music and Lyrics: Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová Director: John Tiffany Can a flawless production save flawed material? Director John Tiffany remounts his original creative team to launch Alan Cumming’s debut season as Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Bringing Once to a Scottish stage for the first time should be a triumph. Despite boasting a stunning set design and a splendidly talented cast of actor-musicians, the five-star execution cannot stop the underlying material from frequently stalling. Set in Dublin, the story follows two characters known only as Guy and Girl. This choice underlines the idea that…
With a show title referencing an unwise observation that, in her hijab, she looks like a Russian Matryoshka doll, Fatiha El-Ghorri belligerently faces down all preconceptions. Doing Taskmaster last year has greatly raised her profile. But it’s still bracing to hear a comic only semi-jokingly berate the audience when she forgets a word, grasping frustratedly for meaning in what she admits is a menopausal fug. Smashing stereotypes about quietly passive, traditionally dressed Muslim women, her stage persona is someone who could start a fight in an empty room. And lengthy is the list of those that El-Ghorri has apparently squared…
Support for the evening is a young inexperienced trio called the Damsens. In complete contrast the very experienced and talented Wildhearts take to the stage in a cacophony of amazing noise. Much love and enthusiasm fills the room as the audience enjoys a fabulous set. Ginger, the lead singer, has been prolific on social media and built up the band’s following through his interactions. In real life, he lives up to his reputation of being a “good guy” and captivates the crowd with his banter in between songs. Ginger admitted Japan used to be his favourite place to tour but…
Writer: Willy Russell Director: Debbie Hannan Rita is desperate to escape. Trapped by a husband who demands she stay exactly as she is, she seeks salvation in higher education. Enrolling in an Open University course, she even goes so far as to change her name from Susan to Rita in a fierce, immediate bid for a brand-new identity. Enter Frank, a thoroughly disillusioned, alcohol-fuelled tutor who wants to meet her exactly on her level. While Rita craves a radical, total transformation, Frank is hesitant to alter her raw, unfiltered perspective on literature. The timeless brilliance of Willy Russell’s text shines…
Writer: Danny Robins Director: Matthew Dunster Jenny believes her new house is haunted, but her fiercely rational husband, Sam, insists there is a scientific explanation for everything. Over a tense dinner party with old friend Lauren and her new partner, Ben, the four decide to stay awake until 2:22am to discover the truth. The true standout element of 2:22 A Ghost Story is the fantastic, clever writing of Danny Robins. The brilliance of the script lies in its structure: throughout the entire evening, the friends clash over their beliefs, scepticism, and superstitions, all while a live ghost story seamlessly unfolds…
Music: Matthew Kilner Producer, recording & mixing engineer: Douglas Whates Mastering engineer: Christoph Stickel Cover image: Mark Quinn Anyone who enjoyed the Matthew MKilner Quartet at Cowdray Hall during the Aberdeen Jazz Festival will have been watching out for his promised EP. It has now been released and is called Lives Move Like Circles. Although it is only three songs long they last for just over 19 minutes. The other two songs are called Kindred and Hygge. Matthew Kilner wrote all three beautiful pieces of music and plays them on his saxophone. He is accompanied by Graeme Stephen and Kevin…
Book: Jake Brunger Music: Pippa Cleary Lyrics: Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary Director: Judith Stephen Most people will be aware of the Great British Bake Off television series, which Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood judge. Each series follows a group of contestants, and their back story, as they try to win the title of Great British Baker. It is intriguing to see how such a TV show will transfer to the stage, and be a musical. AOC Productions do a great job of replicating the renowned set of a large white tent. There’s a very large cast providing the: contestants,…