Bacon/ Lautrec

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Edinburgh Festival review
Rating (out of 5)
3
Show info
Company
Potlatch Theatre Company
Production
Andy Cargill and Michael Clay (writers), Stephen Dulson (lighting, sound and technical)
Performers
Michael Clay, Ben Cave, Andy Cargill, Caitlen Edwards
Running time
60mins

The Fringe in recent years has become dominated by a selection of high profile venues and so it was good to go to a show being held in a traditional small Fringe venue, to return to what the Fringe is all about – namely anybody can come and perform, professional and non-professional. Staging small productions at affordable prices, like Bacon/Lautrec is what encapsulates the essence of the Fringe.

The show deals with two painters, both of whom were on a self-destructive path. Francis Bacon ("for me, chaos suggests images") enhanced his melancholia by drinking excessively and engaging in sado-masochistic practices. Henri Toulouse-Lautrec on the other hand was besotted with the low life of Paris, became an alcoholic and developed syphilis.

Michael Clay (portraying Bacon) and Ben Cave (as Lautrec) created a convincing performance of these artists – not an easy task when working on a small stage. They engaged the audience effectively in the story of the characters’ (almost) tragic lives.Bacon “brought his subjects to death” whilst Lautrec – with his bon viveur attitude – “brought his subjects to life.”

Times: 1.30pm, 13,15,17 August.