A Gift of Nightmares – Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh

Storyteller, Ines Alvarez Villa, brings to vivid life two stories of her own creation in the deep-padded luxury of the Cinema Room at Banshee Labyrinth. Thankfully, background noise is low (not always the case!) and we are able to sink into the colourful fabric that Ines weaves for us.

Both stories are allegorical and centre around the danger of averice, of excessive greed of always wanting more, and prioritising personal gain over integrity. In the first, caution is cast aside when a group of sailors happen upon an abandoned galley. Unable to resist, their curiosity gets the better of them, and whilst they reap the treasure rewards from the silent ship, they also inadvertently invite something else along for the ride!

The second, which I preferred, is more in the style of classic fair tale, with a ‘hero’s journey’ storyline. A young boy, plucked from an orphanage, learns the skills of building violins from an old luthier. Over time the boy becomes an accomplished apprentice with a special talent for building the most exquisite musical instruments, far exceeding the works of his master. Finding and shaping the right materials becomes his life’s work, but where will it end, and when will he know when he has completed his quest?

Ines’s deep-throated Spanish tones only add to the flavour and richness of the servings. Having said that, if it was me, I might have been tempted to augment the stories with additional visual and aural texture, given that the cinema room has this on offer.

However, a very pleasant hour of storytelling.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 2nd November 2024

North West End UK Rating:

Running time – 1 Hr