Scotland Archives - Page 31 of 132

23Jun

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

The Stars and After – Traverse Theatre

Ten actors stand silently with bowed heads as the audience enters the auditorium. In the dim blue lighting we can make out pieces of corrugated iron and large machine cogs. This is a gloomy dystopian land. In this world of the future, there are two classes of people: the citizens who live above ground and live a comfortable life; and the workers who live below ground, leading a miserable existence. The citizens’ light, power and their whole lifestyle depend on the efforts of the workers. It’s a hundred years since the city of Goliath was founded. Citizens live a good if unexciting life. They are largely unaware of how they are manipulated into docility by their Leader. Above ground there is no darkness and no natural light, but citizens have the benefit of powerful lights. However...

21Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Grease – Pitlochry Festival Theatre

The classic rock and rollin’, bunny hoppin’ musical Grease lands at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre this week after kicking off their run at the Blackpool Grand Theatre earlier this month. Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre have worked together to co-produce this rough and ready production, showcasing the enterprise opportunities that come with collaborating both financially and creatively. Not only allowing for more freedom with budget, but also (very importantly) allowing this show to provide accessible commercial theatre for those more rural theatre scenes. With no typical-style ensemble and no typical-style band, the cast are tasked with acting, singing and dancing all while playing the score of Grease themselves. Jan (Leah Jamieson) rocks out...

21Jun

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

In The Cult of Work – Traverse Theatre

Edinburgh Youth Theatre charity, Strange town, return to the Traverse this week with three shows and this is the second of them. On stage tonight are the Tuesday 14 – 18-year-olds and they certainly put on a spirited and well rehearsed show, with no obvious line blunders, a well-drilled cohort who are a credit to director Catherine Ward-Stoddart. I’ve seen a few shows by Strange town over the years and what always comes across is the unbridled enthusiasm and commitment to the creative process from all involved. It’s always great to see the acting youth of Edinburgh taking over one of the best performance spaces in the Capital. Writer, Daniel Orejon was tasked with producing a short play on the theme of, Nobody wants to work anymore. In the centre of the stage a poster pronounces, ‘Ou...

20Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Livin’ On a Prayer – Traverse Theatre

‘Are we making the most of our time?’ is the question posed by Strange Town in their latest piece of new writing: Livin’ On a Prayer. The Edinburgh-based youth theatre company of 8-25 year-olds took on the writing and direction of James Beagon who has worked with Strange Town for almost a decade, currently working as the Youth Theatre Manager. Beagon’s Livin’ On a Prayer is set in a karaoke bar in which a selection of Greek Gods and Deities enjoy the sweet taste of ambrosia (the source of their immortality). But when Dionysus, God of madness, decides to hide their ambrosia, the Gods must work together to decipher the clues left for them by Dionysus. Initially led to believe that if they enter a singing competition, the winner will earn the remaining ambrosia, howeve...

15Jun

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Hidden Door – Edinburgh Paper Factory

Looking like a set from Blade Runner, lit up with coloured lasers and strobe lighting, the gigantic Paper Factory, out near the airport, is Hidden Door’s most ambitious project yet, and quite possibly it’s final resting place, and why not? This architectural maze is a sprawling series of wide-open spaces, culminating in the cathedral grandeur of The Crane Shed where you have to break your neck to see the ceiling. The Factory Floor is open plan on a vast scale and will take your breath away. Grimy, grungy and littered with looming hulks of dead machines, illuminated from within by carefully placed coloured LEDs, this is a steam punk’s fever dream come to life. Hidden Door is the Capital’s five-day yearly arts and music festival, known for transforming unique often overlooked spaces i...

14Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Soundhouse: Sian – Traverse Theatre

With tales of criminals, swan hunters, and torrid affairs, folk-group Sian had the audience of the Traverse in awe. Presented by Soundhouse, we were blessed with yet another live folk performance at the Traverse Theatre. Sian is a three-piece group of folk singers, performing exclusively in Gaelic and accompanied by Innes White on electric and acoustic guitar. Composed of Ceitlin Lilidh, Eilidh Cormack, and Ellen MacDonald, this is a group that celebrates its Hebridean roots—featuring songs that tell the traditional stories which have stood the test of time, having been passed down through the ages in areas around Skye and Lewis. The vocal agility and control of Sian is astounding, as they sail through the lilting nature of the pieces with ease. They uphold the rich history of the songs...

12Jun

By Oliver GigginsNo Comments

Scotland

Quadrophenia – Festival Theatre

Translating a rock opera to the stage might seem like a logical sequitur, until one remembers that in this case it is translating an album – in which the storytelling is done almost entirely through lyrics (and may still not be the clearest then) – into an entirely non-verbal medium – a ballet. But this was the task of Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet, taking The Who's (well... really Pete Townshend's) second/third rock opera (depending on whether we count A Quick One While He's Away) 1973's Quadrophenia, stripping out its lyrics and replacing guitars, synths and Moonish drumming for an orchestral version of the album by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. While waiting outside, another audience member asked me how many people I thought were there for the music. Having seen at least one The Who...

12Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Firelight Trio – Traverse Theatre

Presented by Soundhouse, Firelight Trio take us on a journey through European folk music, finding unity in the sounds of a myriad of cultures from klezmer to polka. Working in partnership with the Traverse as well as other venues around Edinburgh, Soundhouse is a charity organisation with the aim of promoting live music in Edinburgh. Firelight Trio are featured as a part of Soundhouse’s Summer lineup at the Traverse which holds focus on showcasing the talents of upcoming folk artists. With weird and wonderful modifications to their instruments, an adept knowledge of their craft and a passion to share it, it is clear that Firelight Trio’s music is created with deep intentionality and expertise. The trio are highly credited, with Ruth Morris (who plays the Swedish ...

10Jun

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Restless Natives – Leith Theatre

The Clown (Kyle Gardiner) and the Wolfman (Finlay McKillop) ride again, not from Wester Hailes, but tonight (and for the next two weeks, a combination of matinees and evenings) in the stunning setting of a Leith Theatre slowly – but steadily - resurrecting itself. The plot is gently turned from the original celluloid version now standing as one pillar of that mid-80’s quartet (Gregory’s Girl, Comfort & Joy, Local Hero); there’s humorous context given to the situation influencing Ronnie and Will’s decision to head to the Highlands - upon a Suzuki 125 of questionable integrity - in pursuit of rich, vulnerable tourists. As important to the original film as the script, scenery, plot and characters was Big Country’s music and it’s given a shivers-down-the-spine-pitch-perfect acknowle...

7Jun

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Lear – Traverse Theatre

Shakespeare’s infamous tragedy is significantly thinned down and reinterpreted into a one hour wordless anti-war allegory by Ramesh Meyyappan, but retains a raw power and delicate beauty and some rather unexpected humour that make it a thoroughly watchable and thought provoking addition to the Lear genre. This Lear has a worldly feel and international backing, a production by Glasgow based Raw Material in association with National Theatre for Scotland and Singapore National Festival of Arts, it looks made to tour extensively. In the hands of writer and performer Meyyappan and acclaimed director Orla O’Loughlin, we see and feel the effects of war on a father returning from the battlefield and his three daughters. The returning king of the household is welcomed with initial relief and ...