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Edinburgh: A&E: Theatre Reviews of Past 2005 Tours by Scottish Companies. |
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Past Tours listings/reviews
index.| Current Tours listings/reviews
index.| This month's Listings.| Theatre home page. | 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. To contact Theatre Editor, Thelma Good thelma@edinburghguide.com
Adventures Of The Baron - The Working Party - In a new version based around poems commissioned from Scotland's poet laureate Edwin Morgan, devised by the actor Benno Plassmann and Director Martin Danziger. Suitable for Adults and teenagers. Review - Entertainment with elucidation. Toured in Scotland in Autumn 2005. Dirty Dusting - - Three 70-something hard working cleaners are facing the axe. They are past their best, beyond their sell-by-date and over the hill but they certainly won't take their redundancy lying down. So they set up a phone-sex service but no one knows what they doing not their bosses, their families or their very willing customers! Review - Good if not clean fun. Toured to Edinburgh and Glasgow in November 2005. Ubu The King - Tron Theatre Company / Dundee Rep / Bite:05 / Barbican / The Young Vic - As part of Young Genius - Alfred Jarry's glorious, scandalous Ubu The King is given a contemporary twist in this adaptation of Alfred Jarry's play by David Greig. Gerry Mulgrew stars as the vulgar and foul-mouthed Ubu as an elderly Macbeth for our modern world. Aided and abetted by his wife, Dad Ubu rises to power by assassinating King Vassily of Khazakstan and taking his crown. Review - More comic delusional than political satire. Toured in Scotland and London in Nov - Dec 2005. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Royal Lyceum Company Co-production with Nottingham Playhouse and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry - Tennessee Williams's play set in the hot deep south is directed by Richard Baron and explores families, secrets and the difficulties of being intimate. Review - Fiery, eruptive Big Daddy but too jocular elsewhere. Toured to Nottingham Playhouse and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh in Autumn 2005. The Snow Queen - Theatre Modo - When a shard of glass from a magic mirror turns Ed's heart as cold as ice, his best friend Girda knows she has to rescue him. Help Girda on her journey to the Ice Palace. Will her courage and friendship be enough to rescue Ed from the Snow Queen? An interactive production using story-telling, music and movement. 4-7 year olds. Review - Very watchable. Toured in Scotland Autumn 2005. Half Life - Necessary Angel Theatre Company (Canada), Perth Theatre and The Tron Theatre A co-production. - What shines through when memory fades away? Clara and Patrick meet in a nursing home and begin to fall in love, thinking they are rekindling an old flame. While the couple rediscover beauty and love in the twilight of their lives, their relationship sparks different reactions in their children. John Mighton offers clues and plays tricks to keep us guessing at the truth. Directed by Daniel Brooks.This Perth Theatre co-production is touring Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa. Review - Acutely toned. Toured in Autumn 2005 to Scotland and Canada. The Story of the Blues - YDance - Scotth Youth Dance. A new dance theatre piece for childre over 7, performed in the Supper Room, Brunton Hall. Review - Contrasting but meldable.Toured begins Toured in Scotland in Autumn 2005. I Was A Beautiful Day - Traverse Theatre Company in association with An Lanntair, Stornoway - World Premiere. The new play by acclaimed Scottish playwright, Iain Finlay MacLeod (Homers), I Was A Beautiful Day is a moving, humorous tale of resilience, survival and cartography. It was commissioned to open the new An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. After opening at An Lanntair in early October, the play will tour the Highlands and Islands. Directed by Philip Howard Traverse 2. Review - Exhilarating ending. Toured in Scotland in Autumn 2005. A Taste of Honey - TAG Theatre Company - Fresh from their success with their revival of David Harrower's Knives In Hens earlier this year, TAG present another modern classic - Shelagh Delaney's A Taste of Honey. Set in late '50s Manchester, it follows a young teenager as she struggles with poverty, pregnancy and a neglectful mother. Review - Equally taunt and brittle. Toured in Scotland in Autumn 2005. Autumn 2005 Tour - Scottish Dance Theatre - Includes new work by Rui Horta Mute asks when do secrets become lies. Review - Ensemble of distinctive and individual dancers. Toured in Scotland andEngland Autumn 2005. Big Baby or The Nine Days' Wonder - Visible Fictions Theatre Company - A curious satirical tragedy in divers scenes and centuries by Brendan Murray. Every parent thinks their child is the best thing since sliced bread. But Janet and John have created someone very special indeed: a day-old baby who can talk! However, with great ambition comes great risk. Review - At best like an animated Hograth. Toured 30 Sept - 5 Nov 2005 in Scotland and to Bolton England. Borderland - 7:84 Theatre Company - Set in spring 2005, after the murder of Robert McCartney and before the IRA's commitment to decommission weapons, Borderland is an insightful and hopeful story. This new play by Andrew Doyle is an exploration of Northern Irish politics, a tale of brotherly loyalty and a tense thriller. Review - Buy the text if you can't go. Toured 22 Sep - 5 Nov 2005 in Scotland. Where's the Power? A Rap Opera - The Elements World Theatre Company - A mix of dance styles and music explores power and how it shifts. Review from the 2005 Fringe. Toured 29 Sept - 29 Oct 2005 in Scotland The Gunpowder Plot - TheatreFusion - By Thomas Gemmell written to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawkes' attempt on Parliament. Set the next night when Fawkes stands at Traitor's Gate, William Shakespeare arrives - an old unpublished play of his seems remarkably similar to the recent explosive events. Is there a conspiracy far greater than Fawkes' treason? Then King James, Fawkes' intended victim, arrives. Toured 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2005 in Scotland. Damages - Rapture Theatre - Scottish premiere of the 2004 London hit comedy . Three journalists and a lawyer have to decide whether they will run with their scoop about a Children's TV presenter? Wit and politics mix in Steve Thomson's play. Review - Engrossingly directed and acted. Toured 17 Sep - 29 Oct 2005 in Scotland. Katie Morag - Mull Theatre Company - Marie Hedderwick's stories of the little girl who lives on an island and has two very different grannies adapted by Lisa Grindall. Review - Not quite as charming. Toured 25 Aug - 31 Oct 2005 in Scotland. My Old Man - Magnetic North Theatre Productions in assoc with the Tron - Sam is a big star playing on cruise ships with his big band. But he's also an old man in hospital who can't fit his past together. A new play from the acknowledged Tom McGrath. Review - Disturbing glimpse. Toured in Scotland in Sept/Oct 2005. Accidental Death of An Anarchist - Borderline Theatre - Dario Fo's comedy in a new translation by Joe Farrell about police, interogation and a man who refuses to conform. Review - Riotous Ride into Political Satire. Toured in Scotland Sept-Oct 2005. Loot - A co-production between Perth Theatre and The Byre Theatre - Two young bank robbers, Hal and Dennis, stash their ill-gotten loot in the coffin of Hal's recently departed mother. Fay, a sexy young nurse with a secret past, and Truscott, a devious detective, get involved. In Joe Orton's macabre farce laced with comic outrageousness. Directed by Stephen Wrentmore. Review - Wonderful slap-slick and physicality. Toured to St Andrews & Perth Sept/Oct 2005. I Love You Numb - Cat In A Cup - part of Arches LIVE! - A devised performance in collaboration with young people and experimental electronica band 7VWWVW. Cat In A Cup return with an ambitious community-based devised project exploring perceptions of mental ill health in the twenty-first century. Review - Misses the essential lip of communication. Toured to Glasgow and Edinburgh and to schools in Sept 2005. Ubu - Theatre Modo - An intensely physical production that combines twisted clowning cabaret with staggering visual narrative of Jarry's play. Directed by Martin Danziger. Songs and lyrics by Nick Underwood. Review - Tight direction, gutsy acting & production. Tour May - July 2005 in Italy, France, Germany and Scotland. Hedda Gabler - theatrebabel - Graham McLaren's directs and designs this new adaptation of Edmund Gosse's translation of Ibsen's play about a woman and the men around her. Review - Harsh eroticism. Tour begins Toured April - May 2005 in Scotland and England. If Destroyed True - Paines Plough in a co-production with Dundee Rep Ensemble - World premier of a new play. Douglas Maxwell's satire on community and communication with a sparky, perceptive comedy where a small town try to pull off a huge con which proves that things can't only get better! Review - A morality play for our time. Toured Dundee and London in April - May 2005. Hoops, hAtS & AcrObAtS - Ruby Worth (Scotland) - Imaginate Children's International Theatre Festival - A band of friends play with objects and hats that appear and disappear in a fun dance theatre peice choreographed and directed by Ruby Worth to music by Tom Bancroft. A dance commision by Imaginate. 5 - 9 year olds. 45 mins. Review - Sparkling mood. Toured in May - June 2005 in Scotland. Brazil 12 Scotland 0 - Birds of Paradise Theatre Company - part of Ya Basta! a response to G8. - In Brazil communities invade unusedn land in Scotland we undertake feasability studies Ian Stephen uses music, dance and storytelling. Toured April - June 2005 in Scotland. Cinderella's Sisters - Catherine Wheels Theatre Company in association with Brunton Theatre (Scotland) - Imaginate Children's International Theatre Festival - In Mike Kenny's play Pam and Penny were the princesses of ballroom dancing. But at the championships their younger sister, their step sister, Cinderella danced her way to glory. And Pam and Penny became just Cinderella's Sisters. Now they are back with a vengance. 8 - 12 year olds 50 mins. Review - Energetic, humorous reinvention. Toured May and June 2005 in Scotland and England. Such Is Nature - Cat In A Cup (Scotland) - Imaginate Children's International Theatre Festival - Wilde's a storytelling owl in a rotten tree who one night tells the Midnight Cat a story. A debut production blending music, text and dance from a new physical theatre company. 7 - 12 year olds, 45 mins. Review - Strange lugubrious humour. Toured May and June 2005 in Scotland. Blue Orange - Rapture Theatre Company - In Joe Penhall's playthere's a battle of wills between two doctors looking after a patient who believes himself to be the son of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. As the drama unfolds his story becomes unnervingly plausible. Review - All respond to the rhythm and pulls. Toured April - June 2005 in Scotland. Mancub - Vanishing Point - World premiere Written by Douglas Maxwell (Decky Does A Bronco, Helmet) and adapted from the book The Flight of the Cassowary by John LeVert, Mancub is a beautiful and absurd story of a boy who seems to be turning into animals. Review - Rich strongly compelling theatrical power. Toured May - June 2005 in Scotland and England. The Emperor's Opera - benchtours - In a dilapidated town on the ragged fringes of the new Europe a major new opera is eagerly anticipated. The approval of the state critic is all that's needed. Review - Accents muffle humour. Toured Spring 2005 in Scotland. Magic Spaghetti - Licketyspit - With real cooking a new promenade show mixes Scottish and Calabrian folk tales to come up with a childrens' show to make them smile. Backstage Performance Space. Review - Buonissimo!! Tour April - May 2005 in Scotland. The Curve Foundation Dance Company - Live music and exceptional dancers combine in The Curve Foundation Dance Company programme of Merce Cunningham's 1970 seminal piece SIGNALS, and new works by Portugal's rising star Rui Graca including the World Première of SAVALIANA, and the UK Première of POISON (A piece for 7 dancers performed at the Brunton Theatre only). The company will also bring back Rui Graca's FIRST DRAFT (2000) and Henry Oguike's 2002 piece VIOLET. Review - Find the replay button. Toured April 2005 in Scotland. Pyrenees - Tron Theatre Company and Paines Plough co-production - New play by Scotland's foremost playwright David Greig is directed by Vicky Featherstone, outgoing Artistic Director of Paines Plough and Artistic Director designate of the National Theatre of Scotland. A naked unconscious man is found in the Pyrenean snow. A female British Consulate official tries with him to find out who he is. Review - Attain theatrical peaks. Toured to Dundee, London and Watford in April and May 2005. Beckett 2: The Basement Tapes - Arches Theatre Company - Krapp's Last Tape & Rockaby Directed by Andy Arnold a season of exclusive performances promenaded in a hidden Arches basement space - audience numbers will be limited. Both pieces feature recorded voices as well as live performance Featuring Andrew Dallmeyer in Krapp's Last Tape and Kay Gallie in the Scottish premiere of Rockaby. Review - Awesomely perfectly pitched. Krapps Last Tape and Not I went to Belfast and Rockby and Krapps Last Tape toured in Scotland in April and May 2005. Spring 2005 Tour - Scottish Dance Theatre - Two brand new pieces In Fact You Can by choreographer Micheal Popper and another by Austrian choreographer Willi Dorner danced by a exciting and life enhancing company based in Dundee and acclaimed in the world. Review - Dynamic and versatile. Toured March - May 2005 in Scotland England and Wales also Jersey. A Different Language - Suspect Culture - Suspect Culture's new show follows two solitary people, one Italian, one British, as they search for that one perfect person who will be their soul mate. Written by Italian playwright, Renato Gabrielli and performed in English and Italian. Review - Immensely watchable. Toured March and April 2005 to Scotland, England and Italy. David Hughes Spring 2005 - The highly acclaimed dancer in a vibrant programme includes especially commissioned works created by three of Europe's leading contemporary choreographers, Cesc Gelabert, Pit Fong Loh and Javier de Frutos, together with the revival of the hugely popular L'Apres-Midi d'un Faune by Siobhan Davies. Toured Jan to April 2005 in Scotland. Watching Bluebottles - A Right Lines Production - A one-man show based on the life of a village hall-keeper. Written by Euan Martin and Dave Smith, who were responsible for the hugely popular "Who Bares Wins" (2004) and the award-winning comedy ceilidh murder mystery show "The Accidental Death of an Accordionist"(2001). Suitable 10+ and last 1 hour 20mins without an interval. Tickets can be purchased online from www.neatshows.org.uk and, subject to availability, on the door. 12 - 19 March 2005. Toured in NE Scotland. Mary's Wedding - Co-production between Perth Theatre Company and The Byre Theatre - Given its European première at The Byre Theatre in 2003, this poignant love story, set against the background of World War I, by Stephen Massicotte tells the story of Mary and Charlie, a young couple from wildly different backgrounds. Review - Pains of Love and War. 17 Feb - 9 April 2005 in Scotland. Girl with Red Hair - Royal Lyceum Theatre Company and The Bush Theatre - World Premiere of new from Sharman Macdonald, (The Winter Guest, When I was a Girl…). In a small west coast Scottish town grieving over a young death three generations find the summer and possibly hope. Review - Lingers and wraps round the mind. 19 Feb - 16 April in Edinburgh and England. Passing Places by Stephen Greenhorn - Borderline Theatre - When Scots Brian and Alex steal a surfboard they are forced to make a quick departure north. Review - Things are over stressed. Tour begins 11 Feb - 12 March 2005 in Scotland. Look Back in Anger- Royal Lyceum Theatre Company - Presented in association with Theatre Royal Bath Productions. - Starring David Tennant in John Osbourne's pivotal play revealing how fifties Britain was when all pubs were closed on Sunday and the class system was in place. It's Sunday and Jimmy's trying to find his life while Alison irons and Cliff seeks relaxation. Review - Intriguing and powerful. 15 Jan - 19 Feb 2005 in Edinburgh Royal Lyceum Theatre and Bath Theatre Royal. Heal! - Sounds of Progress - Belinda longs to finally meet her father. But who will Dr Dennis Taupe really turn out to be? Written by TMA Best Musical Award nominees (Mince! 2001) Forbes Masson and Gordon Dougall, Heal! is presented by Sounds of Progress, Scotland's leading integrated music theatre company. World Premiere . Review - Chills of delight. 24 Mar - 9 Apr 2005 in Scotland. Knives In Hens - TAG - David Harrower's renowned and much-translated play in a new production directed by Guy Hollands. A young newly-married village woman goes to the miller to have her grain ground. Her conversations with him and her husband reveal both sexual tensions and differences in the way they see the world. Review - Production dilutes play's power. 3 Feb - 16 March 2005 in Scotland. Boiling A Frog - 7:84 - Adapted from Christopher Brookmyre's acclaimed political thriller, 7:84's new production follows the exploits of investigative journalist not afraid to bend the law for the sake of a good story. Review - More bite in the novel. Tour 3 Feb - 2 April 2005 in Scotland. Future tours listings | present tours listings | This month's Listings by venue | Theatre home page 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 isthelma@edinburghguide.com
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