Marina Funcasta reviews Simon McBurney's performance of Basil Bunting's "Briggflatts," likening it to T.S. Eliot's work. While the production captivates with its modernist themes and engages the audience, it sometimes struggles with pace and deeper exploration of Bunting's darker biographical aspects. Ultimately, the experience highlights Bunting's connection to his audience.
"Stories for Boys," directed by Hope Wishart and written by Kieron Barry, captivates with its unpredictable narrative and surreal elements. The play explores love and mortality through whimsical characters, Asso and Basso, amidst absurd skits by a chorus. Its unique design enhances its dreamlike quality, blending comedy and tragedy seamlessly.
Written by Mirren Wilson Directed by Tanya MacDonald Review by Dominic Corr Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose: Tickets ★★★★ PALS is a terrific double finger to the lack of Scottish voices, particularly Scottish women, at the Fringe. Or, more specifically, in a way that isn’t a derisive stereotype for comedic purposes. It’s a clean, simple, yet … Continue reading Review: Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 – PALS
Written and Performed by Amy Conway Directed by Beth Morton Review by Dominic Corr Touring Tickets ★★★ We know there is nothing more deafening than silence, but breaking a cycle of it echoes louder than thunder. No matter what, the ripples still exist—in silence, unchallenged. It would be wrong to say that Catafalque was an … Continue reading Review: Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 – Catafalque
Created and Performed by Ruxy Cantir Directed by Shona Reppe ★★★★★ It might seem a tight fit, being in ‘The Jar’ with an enormous fork looming overhead, but once opened – an explosively mysterious absurdity is what entrances audiences into a cabaret-styled wander through the picking process, one richly influenced by performer and creator Ruxy … Continue reading Pickled Republic – Assembly Roxy
Co-created and Performed by Lucy Ireland and Jim Manganello ★★★★ The sombreness of the affair strikes the moment you walk into the Assembly Roxy, a venue already basking in a more gothic and even macabre glow with its architecture. From the memorial-styled programme, the crushed velvet curtain, to the lilies standing to attention on either … Continue reading Totentanz – Assembly Roxy
Based on the book by Édouard Louis, translated by Lorin Stein Adapted and Directed by Nora Wardell ★★★★ Politics is a life or death game – a chess board where the hands moving the players know not the weight they wield. Surrogate production’s touring piece, Who Killed My Father, is based on Édouard Louis’ (translated by … Continue reading Who Killed My Father – Traverse Theatre
https://youtu.be/s8AMy2Oh-7I Written by Piros Zánkay Story by Gábor Hellebrandt and Péter Bergendy Directed by Péter Bergendy 2020/115mins/Hungary ★★★ The dead outnumber the living. Surviving the Great War, Tomás finds himself amidst the deceased in an open grave following an explosion which should have claimed him. Mistaken for dead, it is only after the observations of … Continue reading Post Mortem – Review
Written by Martin McDonagh Directed by Lyn McAndrew ★★★★ Family just ain’t all it's cracked up to be, is it? But if you think you’ve had it bad, wait until you see what Maureen must put up with. At the beck and call of her mother: making tea, porridge, and stirring the Complan. Or is … Continue reading The Beauty Queen of Leenane – The Brunton Theatre
Written & Performed by Jo Clifford and Lesley Orr Directed by Amy Liptrott ★★★ When is the right time to talk about Covid? How, or even should we reflect during an ongoing pandemic? When are we able to talk and share the experiences and stories of those who struggled, those who did not make it? … Continue reading The Covid Requiem – Pitlochry Festival Theatre
