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The Night Before Christmas - TheatreFusion. Anthony Neilson's alternative adult Christmas play. Gary and Simon find an elf in a warehouse on Christmas Eve in a short, potent, hilarious antidote to the panto which is strictly for adults only. (Not suitable for children, or elves).
Review - Spoiled by too many ingredients.
5 - 27 Dec 2002
Homers - Traverse Theatre Company directed by Philip Howard Alex and Mary are 'homers'. Boarded out from children's homes in Glasgow to the Isle of Lewis in 1967 without a word of where they were going. Poignant, touching and hilariously funny by Iain Finlay MacLeod who wrote the memorable Alexander Salamander (the story of a Teenage Pyromaniac)
Review - Warms up beautifully as it goes along
9 October - 9 Nov 2002 in Scotland
Factory Girls - 7:84 with Frank McGuinness's play set in the 1970's in a shirt factory in Donegal where 5 women face redundancy. Directed by Guy Holland
Review - Women working are the heart.
3 Oct - 9 Nov 2002 in Scotland
The Scottish Dance Theatre - Four pieces Highland, Daddy I'm Not Well, Inside Somewhere and Revenge Of The Impossible Things, included in the tour.
Review - Two contrasting pieces show breadth and delight.
SDT info number is 01382 342600
19Sept - 26 Nov 2002 in UK
The Birdcatcher - A man hunts birds but one day he hears a beautiful song. Tabula Rasa Dance Company's multisensory production for children and all, with music by Mike Zolker, Dance by Shamita Ray, Puppets by Shane Connolly, Choreography and Story by Claire Pencak.
Tours in Scotland and 3 English dates including Borderlines Festival in London
Review - Largely imaginative and magical takeoff.
28 Sept - 12 Nov 2002 in UK
A Skull In Connemara - Mull Theatre Production of Martin McDonagh's 2nd play in his acclaimed Trilogy after The Beauty Queen of Leenane and before The Lonesome West.
Review - Whipped up to fine effect by cast's cracking pace
After its summer season in rep on Mull Toured in Scotland 20 Sept to 9 Nov 2002
There Was A Man- Mull Theatre Production of Tom Wright's play about Burns Scotland's National Bard with John Langford
Review - Intimate and intense
after season at Mull Little Theatre Toured in Scotland 18 Sept to 6 Nov 2002
Joy of the Worm - Arches Theatre Company, devised by Pauline Goldsmith and Skye Lonergan, Featuring Twitch (Optimo), about our desperate and frantic pursuit of happiness. Directed by Andy Arnold Part of GCC's Inspirations Festival.
Review - Mire of confusion with tantalising flashes
Opened in Sweden and then in Glasgow Oct 2002
Without A Trace by Carol K Mack Sounds Of Progress - The true story of Maria Paradies, a brilliant blind pianist for whom Mozart composed a piano concerto. When she got sight she lost her ability to play the piano. One of Scotland's leading music theatre companies take you on a journey of love, trust, betrayal, despair and self discovery.
Review - Bitty structure exacerbated
September - October 2002 in Scotland
Parking Lot In Pittsburgh - Byre Theatre Company tours Anne Downie's dark comic play about those who stay and those that return.
Review - Sharper, tighter and well tuned. It's fuelled by a fine rebuild
Sept - Nov 2002 in Scotland
Your Turn To Clean The Stair - Rapture Theatre with Rona Munro's play about tenement life and a woman who thinks she sees a ghastly deed done. Munro's Iron has just had a great reception winning awards at 2002 Fringe.
Review - Comedy turns into a dark nastiness
13 Sept - 19 October 2002 in Scotland
Closer - TheatreFusion with the Scottish premiere of Patrick Marber's internationally aclaimed play about 2 men and 2 women trying to be closer.
Review - Acting is raw, convincing
12 Sept - 12 Oct 2002 in Scotland
The Good Woman of Setzuan - TAG Theatre Company. By Berholt Brecht, translated by John Willett. Directed by James Brining. A poor woman becomes wealthy but decideing who to help gives her problems.
Review - Entertaining, prompting thought
September - November 2002
12 Sep - 2 Nov 2002 in Scotland
Sunset Song - Prime productions scaled up re-production of their highly successful Sunset Song with Cora Bisset reprising her performance as Chrissie
Reveiw - Full of songs and Scottish passion
27 Aug - 2 Nov 2002 in Scotland
The Old Neighbourhood - Rapture Theatre Scottish Premiere of David Mamet's latest play. Follow Bobby as he revisits the places of his youth and see how past and persent intertwine.
Review - Note perfect and brittle edged in its balance
Oct 2002
Gagarin Way - Traverse Theatre Company's touring Gregory Burke's Fringe and London hit play with Michael Nardonne and John Stadhl, directed by John Tiffany. Sardonic, acidly funny.
Review - Edgy and caustically, accurately funny
August - Oct 2002 in Scotland till 5 Oct then Norway and the Sweden.
Going to New York
The Great McGonagall Entertains - Devised by Chris Ballance with Actor John Shedden in the great poet's 100th year which will be remembered for a very long time! Encounter William Topaz McGonagall and his reactments of Bannockburn and the highlights of Shakespeare.
Review - A Dramatic Gem
Toured Dundee & Edinburgh in Sept/Oct 2002
51 Pegasus - Grey Coast with Ian McDonough's new play about friends, the pull and push of the Highlands. Directed by Tom Magill, designed by Moley Campbell and with music by Andy Thorburn of Blazin' Fiddles.
Review - Hinting at a more complex universe
Toured 4 Sept to 5 Oct 2002
The Odd Couple - Byre Theatre Production with Gerard Kelly and Andy Gray directed by Ken Alexander setting Felix and Oscar firmly in Scotland
Review - Takes off into laughter land
Toured
29 Aug - 5 Oct 2002
Chariot Of Light - Extraordinary 'site-specific' performance event, directed by Benno Plassmann of The Working Party Ovid's Phaeton story told through dramatic use of industrial and natural locations at the historic town of Bo'ness (nr Linlithgow). Part-show / part-installation - riding a steam train on the way! Board the Chariot ~ a mythical journey powered by sound, light, performance, pyrotechnics & poetry
Review - Most stretching and extraordinary
September 2002
Romeo And Juliet - Cutting Edge Theatre Company. Outdoor but not promenade production of Shakespeare's romantic Tragedy in historic surroundings. Venues in August selling tickets themselves
Review - Not a promenade performance more's a pity
Tour
11 July - 10 August 2002
Jessie Kesson - A Good Crack at Life - Attic Theatre Co. presents Jenny Lee in her devised play about the life of the orphan girl who became a fine, spirited writer. Directed by Sue Wilson
Review - Jenny Lee is a one-woman riot
17 April to 7 August 2002
Cherry Orchard - Benchtours with Checkov's comedy directed by Gerry Mulgrew in a visual, vibrant version with original live music from Alan Tall
Review - Blossoms as Chekhov intended
18 June - 27 July 2002
As You Like It - Glasgow Repertory Company Wander with Orlando and Rosalind into the Forest of Arden from the Court, meeting some extraordinary people along the way in a promenade performance of Shakespeare's comedy. Performed in Summer 2002
Review - Enthusiastic life in real surroundings
The Tempest - Glasgow Repertory Company. Prospero's Island comes to the Botanics making it mysterious. Performed in Summer 2002
Review - Clinging to the wreckage quite a few fine performances
Kabuki - Titus - Glasgow Repertory Company Based on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus Performed in the Kibble Palace in the Botanics using Kabuki theatre influences Lasts 1hr 15 mins with no interval. Performed in Summer 2002
Review - Scoular's magnificient Lavina
Running Girl - Boilerhouse in their new large scale promenade production where a woman runs through a city before dawn in the time it takes to bleed to death with surround sound and action. Reviews - Acting on the run
June 2002 in Glasgow and Edinburgh
Invisible Man - Vanishing Point A tale with very few words about a man dreaming of freedom, a woman who makes violins and knocks at their door. Devised by the company directed and designed by Matthew Lenton and Kai Fischer, digital imagery by Chris Rowland Scottish premiere
Review - Freeing our imagination with very few words
June 2002 in Scotland and England
Speed the Plow - Rapture Theatre David Mamet's comedy about two guys who try to cook up the perfect screenplay Directed by Michael Emans and designed by Lyn Mc Andrew Review of Rapture's Simpatico by Sam Shepard
May and June 2002 in Scotland
Wee Witches - Wee Stories Theatre for Children. Seea Brightstar's adventure into an outrageous world of raucous witches. Written and Directed by Virginia Radcliffe, Designed by Catherine Lindow, Original music by Timothy Brinkhurst
55 mins for 3 7 years old and their families
Review - Inventive delight for young audiences.
4 May - 22 June 2002 toured in Scotland and one date in England
Helmet - Traverse Theatre Company & Paines Plough directed by John Tiffany. Roddy and Sal are trying to get life and computer games to go their way in this new play from exciting Scottish writer Douglas Maxwell
Review Virtual surreality in very lively and original piece
Toured Scotland and England 8 March - 9 June 2002
Uncle Vanya - theatreBabel Tom Lenonard's new version of the Chekhov play directed by Graham McLaren
Review - A revelatory revival.
Toured in Scotland and England 24 April - 1 June 2002
Bills New Frock - Visible Fictions & Centre Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum An American cast and a dramatised version of Ann Fine's novel about a boy who woke up a ....girl. 8+yrs
Review - Bill's strange day is vividly imaginative
Toured in US and Scotland Spring 2002
Lifeboat- Catherine Wheels Theatre Company in association with Brunton Theatre New Play by Nicola McCartney about two girl who willed themselves to survive on a upturn lifeboat in the Atlantic in WW2 10+yrs 70mins
Review - Buoyantly accomplished
Toured in Scotland 7May - 8 June 2002
The Four Horsemen - Rowan Tree Company Judy Steel's contemporary play about farming, foot and mouth and the Common Ridings.With John Nicol, Douglas Russell and Fiona Steel.
Review - Reflecting changes in Border life
Toured in Scotland May 2002
Singles Night - lookOUT in assoc with Paisley Arts Centre. Playwrights Kate Dickie, Matthew Lenton, Kathy McKean and Ronan O'Donnell give us four short plays. This was lookOut's last production before it ceased.
Review - Showcase of Scotland's newest
Toured in Scotland 12 April - 11 May 2002
Starting Point Zero - The Working Party Sheer improvisations, a celebration of the beauty of the human being at play. 5 performers with jazz, commedia dell'Arte New writing and performance Art make futures in the now. Dedicated to John Cage, every performance will be different.
Review - uniquely absorbing and enchanting piece
Toured in Scotland May 2002
Lament - Suspect Culture Devised by the company with 5 actors. Against live music they try to raise a smile as sorrowful songs echo round the planet
Review - Stuck in a miasma of their lack of faith
Toured in Scotland & England 3 April - 24 April 2002
Perfect Days - Borderline Theatre tours Liz Lochhead's Fringe hit Directed by Ann Scott Jones With Elaine Collins, Una McLean and a full supporting cast. Babs is hitting the big four O what is this successful woman going to do next?
Review - Humour sparkling and the pain sharper.
Toured in Scotland 5 April - 18 May 2002
Lachlan's Choice Hotel- Brunton Theatre Company's final production - Simon Little's play about a mutinational, a hotel, a manager with new ideas all set in the summer of World Cup Finals. Touring
Review - Playing right up to the whistle
Toured in Scotland 22 March - 27 April 2002
Farm Land- Grey Coast Theatre Company. Bess Ross's play about dreaming of Montana when it's Sutherland's hills outside.
Review -Too many sterile lines
Toured in Scotland 6 March - 6 April 2002
Club Asylum - macRobert and Company of Angels. Directed by John Retallack choreography by Andy Howitt with exciting fusion of theatre, dance and music takes us into the world of the young refugees and the young Glaswegians. Strong language 14+
Review Lively yet thought provoking look
Toured in Scotland Spring 2002
Cave Dwellers - 7:84 bring us Nicola McCartney's play where three people from different conflicts try to survive in a cave.
Review Brennan's intensely physical and utterly captivating
Toured in Scotland 14 Feb - 23 March 2002
Mum's The Word - Six women, six stories with Blythe Duff, Lorraine M McIntosh, Libby MacArthur, Julie Coombe and Carole Anders. Funny touching look at what we've all made someone go through.
Review Celebrating Mums
Toured in Scotland 30 Jan - 23 March 2002
The Pearl - Visible Fictions & Paisley Arts Centre adapt John Steinbeck's novel about diver Kano who finds a prefect pearl and his life changes. Review of previous Visible Fictions production
Review Steinbeck's original gets lively chorus
Toured in Scotland 7 Feb - 16 March 2002
Women on the Verge of HRT - Borderline Theatre Company with Marie Jones's play directed by Anna Newell starring Lindy Whiteford, Annette Staines and Rod Young. Two women, have Daniel O'Donnell and a waiter aiming to age with verve.
Review of Borderline's production toured 2001 with 2 of same actors
Toured in Scotland 2 Feb 16 March 2002
The Bear and The Proposal - Benchtours bring their tour of 2 Chekhov one-act jokes prior to their major new production of The Cherry Orchard in June
Review Two gems of energetically theatrical performance
Toured in Scotland 11 Feb - 7 March 2002
The Dearly Departed - X Factor Dance Company from Scotland directed by Alan Greig, designed by Miranda Melville, soundscore by Tom Murray. World premiere
Review Outstanding movement of impact and touching undertones
1 Feb - 6 March 2002
Oleanna - Theatre Informer in Mamet's play about sexual harrassment, did or didn't it occur? Go and see whether your partner agrees.
Review Frightening real and certain
Toured in Scotland 11- 23 Feb 2002
Fermentation - Grid Iron in association with Citizens Theatre Glasgow. Director Ben Harrison presented the talented and exciting Grid Iron Company's promenade show of his new adaptation of Angelica Jacob's novel set in France with pregnant Odissa, fire-eater Serge, sexual fantasy and magical cheese making.
Review Joyous, surreal, sensuous journey
Toured in Scotland 31 Jan 02 - 16 Feb 2002
Menu 1: Wrong Side Up - Menu Productions presented 3 fascinating European plays
Ist course - Man To Man by Manfred Karge, director Gowan Calder, translator Anthony Vivis As the Weimar Republic dies and being a man has its problems Ella takes the identity of her dead husband.
2nd - The Man with the Flower in his Mouth by Luigi Pirandello, directed/translated by Kate Nelson. Two men at 1am wait one for an early train, one waits to faces sinister forces.
And for afters - La Festa (The Anniversary) by Spiro Scimone, directed/translated by Jenny Varney. A typical Italian family have mundane rituals. Funny, but disturbing, La Festa cracks the cosy stereotypes of modern family life.
Review Good Night Out menu of great courses
Toured in Scotland 30 Jan - 16 Feb 2002
The Seagull - Dundee Rep's and Rimas Tuminas's fabulous production toured to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness Review of the production seen in Oct 2001. See it and marvel at Lithuanian/ Dundee Rep's fusion.
Toured in Scotland 22 Jan - 16 Feb 2002
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Although every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in these pages, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions.
Theatre Editor, Thelma Good's e-mail is>thelma@edinburghguide.com
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