Sunday, November 1

Tag: Debbie Hannan

Bottom’s Dream – Traverse Theatre
26Oct Avatar photoBy Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments
Scotland

Bottom’s Dream – Traverse Theatre

Martin O’Connor, that champion of youth theatre and new Scots writing, creates an absorbing, modern-day monologue as William Shakespeare’s mechanical, Nick Bottom. Ably directed by Debbie Hannan and Assistant Director, Morgan Ferguson, this 54-minute piece was clever, varied and entertaining. The set and costumes by Heather Grace Currie are simplicity itself, and yet supremely apt. The setting holds up and expands the creative, poetic words of Martin O’Connor. Yes. The writer and performer are one and the same. Taking conceptual work to firm reality takes time, determination and shovel-loads of deep thinking. This piece felt very true. It hinged on Bottom’s desire to play any part in any way the director wants; to be given a chance despite his background. His earnest fumbling and...
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Alright Sunshine – Pleasance
19Aug By Greg HolsteadNo Comments
Scotland

Alright Sunshine – Pleasance

All Right Sunshine, written by Isla Cowan and directed by Debbie Hannan, is a blistering one-woman play that probes power, gender, and the policing of public space, with a performance that holds the room in an iron grip. At its heart is Molly Geddes as PC Nicky McCreadie, delivering a turn of such intensity and nuance that it feels less like acting and more like possession. From the outset, we know this is about the police, but the framing is unexpected, Geddes’ McCreadie is just five foot tall, far removed from the towering physical ideal once required of recruits. The irony is not lost. Once upon a time, men had to be six feet tall and women five foot eight to join the force. Now here is a small-statured officer, pigeonholed as a “mother figure” on weekend shifts, yet treated with...
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