Creators: Jo Clifford and Maria MacDonell It might be the first story most of us hear, that of the duckling who found themselves different to the rest of their flock. With big, floppy wings, elongated feet, and a different shade of feather to their brothers and sisters. The Ugly Duckling is certainly one of the first instances we have with the concepts of acceptance and pushing against the normative ideas of appearance. Now, Edinburgh-based writers and creators Jo Clifford and Maria MacDonell bring a spin to the tale, a contemporary adaptation of The Not So Ugly Duckling which brings the…
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.
Creator: David Rosenberg and Glen Neath It’s funny what a bit of darkness does to a sane mind. True darkness that is, different from the kind of the cinema or your bedroom. In this complete eradication of light, our mind does most of the work for two of Darkfield’s immersive experiences at this year’s Festival Fringe. As the company renowned for their intense audio experiences concocts new ways to strike the imagination, they have inadvertently created two of its most fearsome, and technically engaging pieces ever. The first, and shorter of the two, explores the psychology of a group of…
Writer: David Visick Director: Tim Marriott Thunderous sound effects dramatically open the show, broken by a humorous comment and the audience relax. The stage is bare apart from two wooden boxes, and two actors, but the stage is full, full of energy, exuberance and talent. Sharp, witty repartee flows seamlessly between Hamlet (Tim Marriott) and Yorick (Nicholas Collett). Hamlet’s dead father wants revenge for his murder, but how? There are shades of, Rosencrantz and Guidenstern, Waiting For Godot, Stoppard, Monty Python, and many others. While this is centred on Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, Hamlet, it wonderfully overflows with a plethora…
Writer: Chris Burgess A young musical theatre graduate, Billy Kerr, comes on stage and gives a big introduction to the star of the show, Sue Kelvin. One of Midler’s most famous songs, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy opens the show, great opening; two good singers, and a fantastic story to tell, what could go wrong? Midler said “When I’m on stage it’s a party”, so is this one? As a young, ungainly, overweight, unattractive poor Jewish girl, Kelvin desperately wanted to achieve something in life. She learnt of Midler’s success, identified with her and immediately became her lifelong fan. Her full…
Writer: Sarah Richardson Director: Ciara Elizabeth Smyth Sex is pretty great. Sometimes. Well, occasionally. Alright, it’s fine. And yet, for the most talked, sung, joked, and written about the subject, sex is still a surprising taboo for some. Particularly, with the intent of marginalising women and concentrating their sexual exploration and autonomy to as restrictive a means as possible. Making its in-person Festival Fringe debut, GirlPlay by Sarah Richardson evolves from its previous digital audio production into a fledged production which undresses the gatekeeping of masturbation, bodily autonomy, grief, and the high and embarrassing lows of sex. In transitioning to the stage,…
Writer/Composer: Jenny Stafford Director: Penny Cole Color Inside the Lines. How often were those words hammered into us as children? How often did we follow the expectations that were laid out before us? And just how long did we live with this before rebelling in this mini act of defiance and finding peace. It’s refreshing to have a musical where the fate of the universe, the history of a great nation, or a herd of anthropomorphic creatures aren’t scuttling around. Sometimes, especially now, the world just needs a humble, humorous, and touching piece which speaks to audiences on their level…
Writer/Director: Tim Marriot Simple table and two chairs instantly establish ‘office’. Head of department Nicky (Angela Bull) is due for her annual appraisal by senior manager Jo (Nicholas Collett). Nicky is happy with her job and wants to keep working, but Jo has other ideas. Their characters are quickly established, having a good relationship on stage bouncing off each other well, their controlled silences and looks, saying as much as their words. All the text is revealing in developing the situation and informing the audience about the two people on stage, nothing is superflous. Their back stories gradually unfold explaining…
Writer: Helen Banner Director: Jess Chayes There generally are two ways to begin a show, with a bang or quietly, this is the second way. A very substantial set, establishing authority, (Carolyn Mraz) large solid table, leather swivel chairs, wood door, actor enters, sits, fine. Second actor enters brief conversation giving nothing away, intriguing, third actor enters, still little information as to situation. References to previous involvement of the three still give little away and so it continues, ad infinitum for 80 minutes. Sarah ( Laura Jordan) the leader takes Lee ( Joy Sunday) and Paige ( Sarah Street) through…