Nazaret Ranea, Author at North West End UK

6Dec

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Swamplesque – Assembly Rooms

The Assembly Rooms on December 5th hosted the return of Swamplesque, a show so gloriously unhinged that it had already obliterated box office records at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. If you think you’ve seen it all, imagine Shrek in nipple tassels and Donkey gyrating in velour, and then realise: you’ve barely scratched the surface. This ogre-themed burlesque and drag parody manages to toe the line between absurd brilliance and complete insanity. The show dives headfirst into the swamp of pop culture references, pulling out everything from Shrek is Love, Shrek is Life (a segment that will haunt me until I die) to a roller-skating Magic Mirror doing cartwheels to Man in the Mirror. Every number was laced with just enough chaos to keep the audience howling with laughter—or stunned into...

Scottish Opera’s The Puccini Collection – Usher Hall

25Nov

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Scottish Opera’s The Puccini Collection – Usher Hall

As a lifelong Puccini fan, there’s nothing quite like hearing his music live, and Scottish Opera’s The Puccini Collection at the Usher Hall did not disappoint. This was a moving and celebratory tribute to mark the centenary of Puccini’s death, with Stuart Stratford conducting the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and a stellar line-up of soloists. The programme was brilliantly chosen. Alongside famous excerpts from Tosca, La Bohème, and Turandot, we were treated to earlier works like Le Villi and Edgar—pieces that are seldom performed but give insight into Puccini’s evolution as a composer. The decision to include extended scenes, not just standalone arias, made the performance feel more immersive, as though we were being drawn into the emotional worlds of the operas themselves. Stuart Str...

14Nov

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Albert Herring – Festival Theatre

On Wednesday night, Scottish Opera brought Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring to the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, offering an evening of comic charm and lively satire. Directed by Daisy Evans, this fresh production reimagines Britten’s comic opera in the 1990s English countryside, a setting that adds humour and nostalgia to the story. Originally inspired by a Maupassant tale, Albert Herring revolves around its shy, naive protagonist, Albert, who’s crowned the town’s “May King” after no “morally suitable” young woman is found. The plot follows Albert’s transformation as he wrestles with the town’s rigid expectations and his yearning for personal freedom. Glen Cunningham’s portrayal of Albert captures both innocence and a quiet depth, making his character’s journey both touching and humo...

Murder on the Orient Express – Festival Theatre

23Oct

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Murder on the Orient Express – Festival Theatre

On the 22nd of October, Edinburgh Festival Theatre played host to an adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's most beloved mysteries: Murder on the Orient Express. This new production, directed by Lucy Bailey and starring Michael Maloney as Hercule Poirot, promises to be a thrilling and immersive experience for fans of classic crime drama and theatre alike. Set in the winter of 1934, the story unfolds on the luxurious Orient Express after it finds itself trapped by an avalanche in the snowy Balkans. With the train at a standstill and a murder on board, Poirot must solve the mystery before the train resumes its journey—and before the killer strikes again. The ensemble cast includes Bob Barrett, Mila Carter, Rebecca Charles, Debbie Chazen, Simon Cotton, and more. Based on Christie’s ow...

Edward Scissorhands – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

16May

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Edward Scissorhands – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Matthew Bourne's ballet adaptation of Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands made its much-anticipated return to the stage on the opening night at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. Bourne's instinct for selecting iconic stories to adapt aligns perfectly with his choreographic finesse. Originally conceived in 2005 and revived periodically since, Bourne's rendition stars Liam Mower as our protagonist Edward, a tragic figure left incomplete with scissors for hands following his creator's sudden death. Mower's portrayal captures the essence of Johnny Depp's iconic performance, as he takes us along Edward's journey from perplexed isolation to communal acceptance, vibrantly accompanied by an ensemble of archetypes and eccentrics. The ballet unfolds against a backdrop of 1950s suburbia, skilfull...

The Girls of Slender Means – Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh

18Apr

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

The Girls of Slender Means – Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh

Directed by Roxana Silbert, "The Girls of Slender Means" follows the lives of five young women living in the May of Teck Club in London during the summer of 1945. Adapted by Gabriel Quigley from Muriel Spark's novel, the play explores the post-war hopes and struggles of the characters as they navigate love, work, and survival in a society torn by war. Romance, fashion, and politics intersect as the girls grapple with uncertainty and cling to their dreams amidst the rubble of the past. The fragmented structure adds depth to the storytelling, inviting audiences to piece together the narrative while reflecting on themes of resilience and the lasting power of hope. Under Silbert's direction, the production shines with its immaculate production design, drawing the audience into a world where...

Carlos Acosta’s On Before – Festival Theatre

17Feb

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Carlos Acosta’s On Before – Festival Theatre

Carlos Acosta, one of the greatest classical dancers of the modern age, with a career that took him from the backstreets of Havana to the most famous stages in the world, is back in Scotland with his signature show On Before. On February 16th, audiences at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre were transported into Acosta's world - an electric journey through the depths of human emotion and expression. Born from personal experience and his own artistic vision, the show traces back to a pivotal moment in Acosta's life in 2010. Conceived as a homage to his late mother, it represents Acosta's most intimate and deeply personal work. Shaped by collaborations with renowned choreographers worldwide, the show's evolution reflects Acosta's commitment to his craft. As the curtains rise, the audience is invit...

The Barber of Seville – Festival Theatre

4Nov

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

The Barber of Seville – Festival Theatre

On the evening of November 3rd, 2023, opera enthusiasts gathered at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre to witness a remarkable production of Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville.' This comedic masterpiece, directed by Sir Thomas Allen, unfolded in English, featuring Amanda Holden's translation, and was a testament to the enduring charm of this operatic classic. The narrative centred around Figaro, a character known for his wit and resourcefulness, navigating a world filled with young love and the eccentricities of the elderly. Count Almaviva, smitten by the enchanting Rosina, sought Figaro's assistance in winning her heart. However, the journey was fraught with challenges, as Rosina's guardian, Doctor Bartolo, harboured plans of marrying her himself, keeping her under lock and key. This reviva...

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet – Festival Theatre

20Sep

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet – Festival Theatre

On its opening night, Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre came alive with the revival of Matthew Bourne's "Romeo & Juliet." Often regarded as a master of family-friendly productions, Bourne's latest interpretation delves deeper into the suppressed passions simmering beneath the surface, offering a fresh perspective on Shakespeare's timeless tragedy. The stage is transformed into the Verona Institute, an institution akin to an asylum for troubled youth, masterfully designed by Lez Brotherston. Its stark, white surfaces, imposing barred doors, and staircases leading to nowhere symbolize the suffocating conformity that envelopes its inhabitants. Yet, within these confines, the characters, clad in white, strive to break free with subtle acts of rebellion—flicks of the head, twitches of the arm...

Ballet Black: Pioneers – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

29Jun

By Nazaret RaneaNo Comments

Scotland

Ballet Black: Pioneers – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

For over two decades Ballet Black has nurtured their small plot in the vast landscape of ballet. Grafting together innovation and passion, building on their bouquet of diversity to represent crucial change for the benefit of their art. The company continues to lay stones along the path of intelligence and meaningful entertainment with Ballet Black: Pioneers. This show is by, about and thanks to pioneers. The opening act, Then and Now, set on a minimalist background against which each dancer takes their turn to showcase technique and talent while collectively giving body to the poetry of Adrienne Rich from her collection, Dark Fields of the Republic. The minimalism drives your focus to the life on stage, where the tightrope of dance, Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber’s violin and Rich’s wor...