Bard in the Botanics' production of "Emma," directed by Gordon Barr and adapted by Jennifer Dick, offers a lively outdoor rendition filled with humor and charm. The cast, led by Esme Bayley, engages the audience with vibrant performances, despite some pacing issues. Overall, it presents a delightful exploration of romantic misunderstandings amidst a comedic backdrop, suitable for summer enjoyment.
'The Kibble Palace often houses the less family-friendly part of The BITB season. Caged inside its wrought iron, The Duchess of Malfi feels tightly enclosed and charged with menace.' says Dominic Corr ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - The Duchess of Malfi. Runs at The Kibble Palace, Glasgow, until August 1st
Gordon Barr’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello at the Kibble Palace offers a gripping modern critique of institutional tribalism set in a military context. The minimalist staging, coupled with outstanding performances, notably from Adam Donaldson as Iago and Manasa Tagica as Othello, emphasizes the chilling dynamics of manipulation and trust, resonating with contemporary themes.
Sunny Afternoon at The Playhouse offers a nostalgic journey through the 60s with vibrant design and engaging performances. While its jukebox biopic structure feels predictable, the infectious energy of the cast and immersive music create a memorable experience for the audience.
by George Bernard Shaw, Reimagined by Stewart Laing Review by Eloise Robertson Traverse Theatre ★★★★★ Stewart Laing’s reimagining of Saint Joan is potent. It brims with innovation through its narrative framing, experimental soundscapes, and the bold multimedia twist of its Epilogue. What’s more, it is carried out with absolute precision in the performances of the … Continue reading Review: Saint Joan – The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Written by Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie Directed by Jemima Levick Review by Dominic Corr Tour Dates ★★★★ History rarely arrives with such swagger, but SCOTS marches back around Scotland, briefly to The Dundee Rep, with a tartan‑tinted skid-mark in its breeks, and a renewed sense of theatrical purpose, delivering a renewed show which balances … Continue reading Review: SCOTS – The Dundee Rep
By Kathy McKean, after Euripides Directed by Gordon Barr Review by Eloise Robertson Bard in the Botanics ★★★★ It is a rare treat to know instantaneously that you can trust a performance to carry you through its script and deliver you neatly to its conclusion. The moment Isabelle Joss opens as the Nurse, the audience … Continue reading Review: Medea – The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
https://youtu.be/vCpeYT6FwFg Written and Directed by Gordon Barr Review by Dominic Corr The Byre Theatre ★★★★ What’s the use in wishes, when all your festive hopes are granted by the Byre Theatre once more, this time for a more local spin on the classic Arabian tale: Aladdin. A riotous, tightly knit pantomime bursting with humour, strong … Continue reading Review: Aladdin – The Byre Theatre, St.Andrews
Written by Henrik Ibsen, In a New Version by Kathy McKean Directed by Gordon Barr Tickets from £19.00 ★★★★ The female Hamlet (only better). That’s how some describe Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, the notoriously complicated woman of wit and word, always yearning, confined more so than they are free. The Norwegian tragedy, of a general’s daughter, confined … Continue reading Review: Hedda Gabler – Bard in the Botanics, Glasgow
