Scotland Archives - Page 23 of 133

My Name is Rachel Corrie – ZOO Southside

11Aug

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

My Name is Rachel Corrie – ZOO Southside

Rachel Corrie was an American who was killed in 2003 by the Israeli army. She stood in the path of an armoured bulldozer which was about to demolish a Palestinian house in Rafah, Gaza. At the time of her death Rachel, who was 23 years old, was working with other foreign nationals for the International Solidarity Movement. ‘My Name Is Rachel Corrie’ is based on her journals and emails. They were edited by the actor Alan Rickman, and the journalist Katharine Viner. Rickman also directed the premiere of the play at the Royal Court Theatre in 2005. Rachel had youthful ambitions to be a writer, and this play shows that she was immensely talented. Her writing is powerful and moving, crackles with sparkling imagery and is often poetic. She started keeping a journal when she was a child....

11Aug

By Danielle FarrowNo Comments

Scotland

Macbeth @ ZOO Southside

It isn’t really the done thing to start a review by simply quoting from the show’s blurb, but here it is - and why? Because The Barden Party absolutely delivers on what it promises: “A thrilling, saucy rendition of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Macbeth… with a sassy, sexy bluegrass flair… transforming Macbeth into an unforgettable experience full of music, mischief and magic.” ( Read in full here: www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/macbeth ) The Thane of Fife’s relationship with the throne of Scotland unfolds with all the glorious language, tension and moments of humour that makes “the Scottish play” so popular, augmented by song (something that previous centuries have also seen). Macbeth’s ambition is spurred along by her crown-focused husband and the Wyrd Brothers’ witchcraft - most p...

Frank Sanazi: Songs for Swinging Leaders – Le Monde

11Aug

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Scotland

Frank Sanazi: Songs for Swinging Leaders – Le Monde

If you like your swing music served with a side order of political incorrectness and a heavy pour of dark satire, Frank Sanazi is the man for you. Back at the Fringe with his full entourage of dubious dignitaries and crooning comrades, he’s once again proving that nothing is sacred when there’s a gag to be had.The conceit is as daft as it is inspired, take the Rat Pack, swap Vegas for the Reichstag, sprinkle in a few dictators, despots, and dubious dinner guests, then belt out swing standards with new, far too on the nose lyrics. The results range from groan worthy puns to moments of comedy gold. This year’s line up of chums includes Sadami Davis Jr., a gloriously deadpan presence with a twinkle in his eye, Dino Stalin (think Dean Martin but with more gulags), and Osama Bing Crosby, a beam...

11Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Fibonacci Quartet – The Queen’s Hall

I arrive early at Queen’s Hall, buzzing for the International Festival debut of the Fibonacci Quartet. Two of their members, Kryštof Kohout and Findlay Spence, were here last year as part of the Rising Stars programme. Now they return with the full ensemble, joined by Luna de Mol and Elliot Kempton, for a morning programme that mixes Scottish contemporary writing with Czech emotional candour.Before the music starts, the announcer tells us about the Young Musicians Pass scheme, which has given 2,500 young people tickets to the festival this year. Fifty of them are here today, dotted through the audience, and you can feel the ripple of energy they bring to the room.The Queen’s Hall, once a Georgian church, is now one of Edinburgh’s most diverse and beloved live music venues. Its conversion h...

Drawing From Life – The Studio at theSpace Triplex

11Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Drawing From Life – The Studio at theSpace Triplex

Devised by Alice Connolly and facilitated by Eve Connolly, Drawing From Life sees Alice Connolly posing as the life model, while the audience is provided with drawing materials to sketch her various poses. As the class progresses, things begin to unravel—we begin to hear the inner thoughts of both the audience members and Alice herself. Slowly, the intense focus required to draw begins to waver, as we start to humanise our otherwise silent model. Audience members are handed stuffed dolls, which are later retrieved and manipulated by Eve, who bends and contorts them into different shapes. Alice mirrors these movements, seemingly controlled, as if under the influence of a voodoo doll. This element of the performance was both engaging and intriguing, showcasing the Connollys’ strong dr...

11Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

Dance People – Old College Quad

A Call to Connection at the Edinburgh International Festival In the open quadrangle of Old College Quad, Dance People is performed in an unexpected performance space. A simple red ribbon separates performers and watchers, with no seating—merely open air and stone environment. Physical openness is a prelude to the questions of the evening about connection, community, and shared humanity. The play begins with an evocative stage with projected messages: "Who are you? ", "Are we alone? ", "We have so many people with us… people we've seen on the bus, who walk alongside us, but whom we've never noticed." At one point, the audience is invited to turn around and actually notice the people around them—a simple yet powerful gesture. The barrier is then literally broken with the ribbon ...

11Aug

By Saira KunjuvalappilNo Comments

Scotland

360 Allstars – Assembly Hall

High-Energy, High-Skill, All Thrills 360 Allstars is the genuine across-the-board, full-on entertainment package of urban arts and sports. With its headlining company of world champions and record-setters, the show brings together BMX stunts, basketball freestyle, breakdancing, beatboxing, acrobatics, and drumming into one adrenaline-fueled package. The moment the artists arrived on the stage, the atmosphere was charged. The announcements of each performer over a pulsating background of hip hop beats automatically created the tone for the show's street life. One after another, the array of players showcased their respective talents—each one more stunning than the last. The BMX routines broke with gravity, with spins, flips, and balance manoeuvres that sent the audience gasping...

10Aug

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Bombshell – theSpace @ Triplex

Following a successful run in New York last year, Cross the Pond Theatre presents us with their new, original musical, Bombshell. Written by Madison Mayer, who stars as Scarlett, our climate-conscious main character, we explore three girls’ mission to spread climate awareness by performing raunchy cabaret numbers with a political message. With songs composed by Cumbernauld local Aila Swan, who plays Jane, Bombshell delivers a kooky and amusing story, with pizzazz and high energy. Emory Kemph directs and features as Eliza, perfectly capturing the sarky and satirical feel of Mayer’s writing, eliciting a great reaction from the audience with laughs aplenty. Each number flies by, with well-choreographed routines and strong harmonies—the trio are fabulous performers, strong in all aspect...

Up Late with Alabaster DePlume – The Hub

10Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Up Late with Alabaster DePlume – The Hub

It is one of those nights at The Hub that I will not quite shake off, in both the best and the slightly sourest sense of the word. Alabaster DePlume, Angus Fairbairn, mid-forties Mancunian jazz poet supreme, takes to the stage in Palisadeau colours. ‘Genocide’, he gives it a name, and then he mentions that one of the festival’s backers also supports the regime in Israel. That the Festival by association supports the regime. A couple of audience members stand up and quietly leave. The tension is immediate, and it ripples through the room. It does not need to go there, but maybe it was always inevitable, he has, after all, never been capable of separating his politics from his performing.But, politics aside, back to the music. The saxophone work is exceptional, rich with tone, breath, and at...

10Aug

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Bach and Bartok – Usher Hall

The Edinburgh International Festival treats me to a musical triptych tonight at the Usher Hall, a concert in three sharply contrasting acts, delivered with precision and flair by the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer. Fischer, now in his mid-70’s and one of Europe’s most admired conductors, has the air of a man who knows exactly what he’s doing and, perhaps, is savouring these final years at the helm. Co-founder of the orchestra back in 1983 with Zoltán Kocsis, he’s built a reputation not only for musical excellence but also for a willingness to experiment, from autism-friendly “Cocoa Concerts” to informal beanbag performances. There’s an ease and playfulness in his direction, the sort of confidence that comes from a career well cemented in the history books, but still curious...