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| Edinburgh : A&E : Theatre: Reviews |
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Theatre listings > Homers -
World Premiere
However, this is a show that warms up beautifully as it goes along. After a rather unspectacular beginning, Philip Howard and his cast comes up with the trumps. Theatrical styles from realism to slapstick comedy and postmodern fragmentation are thrown at the unsuspecting audience. And the best of all, Iain F MacLeod's script is genuinely funny, with interesting well-rounded characters who have been given extra depth and edge by a superb cast. Everyone has acted their little socks off in this show. Alastair G Bruce's Alex is profoundly appealing, and Mary Gapinski creates a good counterpart with her at once powerful and fragile portrayal of Mary. Annie Grace is excellent as the family's matriarch, while Iain Macrae's Calum is a dark tragicomic father-figure that imprints himself strongly on the audience's minds. Though the character of Micheal does not allow much manouvering space for young Alasdair Macrae, he makes the best of it, but it is in the roles of Minister and Shooey that his comic talent truly shines through. And who cannot but mention Stephen Docherty's unforgettable performances as Priest and tightlaced Mrs Gunn. So, yes, there may be nothing new in this show, but there is plenty of first-rate set design (Mary Robson), unobtrusive lighting (Renny Robertson), nifty directing (Philip Howard), good music score (Anna Mhoireach), innovative use of language which includes both Scottish and Gaelic, and truly inspired, energetic performances from the entire cast. Another night spent at the Traverse, one could say? But one well worth spending. © Ksenija Horvat 10 October 2002 The Text of the Play which doubles as the programme is published by Nick Hern and is available from them, the Traverse Theatre and good book shops. Cast: Alex - homers from Glasgow. Fourteen. Alastair G Bruce Mary - homers from Glasgow. Fourteen. Mary Gapinski Calum - parents of the family Alex and Mary are sent to stay with - Iain Macrae Catherine Ann - parents of the family Alex and Mary are sent to stay with - Annie Grace Micheal - their son. - Alasdair Macrae Miss Scott - the Schoolteacher. - Iain Macrae Christopher the Ceard - schoolboy from a family of travellers - Stephen Docherty Minister - the village minister; devoted Elvis fan - Alasdair Macrae Mrs Gunn - Miss Scott's sidekick. - Stephen Docherty Andrena - a Lewis woman with unusual serving suggestions for Hebridean delicacies - Annie Grace Alasdair Mor - her lamb castrating husband. - Iain Macrae Priest - a Glaswegian-born hermit ex-priest.- Stephen Docherty Whaler - a whaler (now retired) - Annie Grace Pig a butcher who Alex goes to for his apprenticeship in Glasgow. -Stephen Docherty Shooey - Butcher apprentice. - Alasdair Macrae All other parts played by members of the company: residents of Stornaway, schoolchildren, movie stars, etc. Musicians Quee MacArthur, Iain F Macleod and Anna Mhoireach Traverse Theatre's production of Homers After opening 9 - 19 October (not Mondays) at 8pm Edinburgh Traverse Theatre 0131 228 1404 or www.traverse.co.uk Tour begins 21 Oct at 8pm Inverness Eden Court Theatre 01463 234234 www.edencourt.co.uk 23 Oct at 8pm Islay Bowmore Hall £5 tbc Tickets on the door 24 Oct at 7pm Isle of Jura Jura Hall Tickets £5 (£3) 0131 228 1404 or www.traverse.co.uk 26 Oct at 7.30pm Mallaig Mallaig and Morar Community Centre West Bay 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk 29 Oct at 7.30pm on Skye Broadford Village Hall £6 (£4) 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk 30 October at 7.30pm Skye, Aros, Portree £6 (£4) 1 November at 7.30pm Lewis, Stornoway Town Hall, Tickets from An Lanntair on 01851 703307 2 November at 8pm Lewis Ness Hall, £6 (£4) 0131 228 1404 or www.traverse.co.uk 5 November at 7.30pm Benbecula Liniclate Community School Theatre £6 (£4) 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk 7 November at 7.30pm Isle of Barra Castlebay Community School £6 (£4) 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk 9 November at 7.30pm Oban Corran Halls Sat 9 November 7.30pm Tickets £7 (£6) reserved on 01631 567333 www.corranhalls.com Or Traverse Box Office 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk Tour ends TEN YEARS OF THE TRAVERSE'S HIGHLAND TOUR & WRITERS PROJECT 1993 LOOSE ENDS by Stuart Hepburn 1994 GRACE IN AMERICA by Antoine Ò Flatharta 1995 KNIVES IN HENS by David Harrower 1996 FAITH HEALER by Brian Friel 1997 LAZYBED by Iain Crichton Smith 1998 HERITAGE by Nicola McCartney 1999 HIGHLAND SHORTS: 7 short plays by Highland & Island writers 2000 AMONG UNBROKEN HEARTS by Henry Adam 2001 THE BALLAD OF CRAZY PAOLA by Arne Sierens in a version by Stephen Greenhorn 2002 HOMERS by Iain F MacLeod and next year 2003 OUTLYING ISLANDS by David Greig Theatre listings >>
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