Festival Theatre Archives - Page 3 of 8

Country Roads: One Night of Country Classics – Festival Theatre

31May

By Wendy McEwanNo Comments

Scotland

Country Roads: One Night of Country Classics – Festival Theatre

“I’m Johnny Cash” says a performer, and we believe him, with his soothing, authoritative voice and stage presence. The line-up also includes dead ringers for Patsy Kline, Kenny Rogers, and the one-and-only Dolly Parton. They aren’t the real superstars, of course, but they put on a hell of a show. Songs include “Ring of Fire” (apparently inspired by a Wetherspoons curry), “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Jolene”, as well as the title song. The performers want us to join in, and gradually, the audience gains confidence and starts singing along. The front-of-house staff were bemused by the number of audience members who went up to the front of the stage, and they spent the second half of the show trying to get people to get people to go back to their seats. There was a party atmosphere in the pack...

Uncanny – I Know What I Saw – Festival Theatre Edinburgh

30May

By H.S. BakerNo Comments

Scotland

Uncanny – I Know What I Saw – Festival Theatre Edinburgh

How have I not heard of Danny Robins? He clearly has a huge following judging from the whoops and hollers from the near capacity audience when he made his appearance at the start of the show. Opening with spooky music (uncredited), fog effect and a back projection screen showing a skinny bloke walking through a forest, said bloke’s appearance on stage resulted in an eruption of ecstatic applause, cheers and whistles, prompting my companion to ask, “Who’s that?” The only reply forthcoming from me was, “No idea!” It turns out that Danny Robins is an erstwhile comedian and comedy writer, now a journalist and podcaster. His investigations into the paranormal have led to several radio series and podcasts on the subject, including “The Battersea Poltergeist” and “Uncan...

I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

28May

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

For the long-standing listener, a chance to see just exactly how they do it. Twice, as it happens, which makes for a long night but detracts not a jot from the hugely entertaining formula honed and tweaked over the years, the A-List cast (Rory Bremner, Pippa Evans, Milton Jones and Fred MacAuley) and its A-List Humph replacement, Jack Dee. Who, on reflection has been at it for pretty much 15 years now. The show with no apparent end to its stamina was conceived in 1972, a riposte to the wave of ‘panel’ games taking over our screens and wireless units. So that’s what he looks like! The first reveal is the appearance in front of three tourquoise-covered tables of producer Jon Naismith, who performs the oft-belittled role of warm-up bloke with greetings, explanations and the odd cracker of ...

The Music Man – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

23May

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Music Man – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Watching Fraser Grant’s punchy Edinburgh revival of this lesser known gem one can begin to see why Meredith Willson’s musical easily won out over West Side Story at Broadway’s Tony awards in 1958. Underneath it’s folksy exterior this entertaining and inventive show with its lively toe-tapping score provides plenty of opportunities for the large cast of SLO to shine. The story is set in 1914 in the sleepy Iowa town of River City. Con man Harold Hill sets his sights on persuading the locals to set up a boys’ band, complete with expensive instruments and uniforms, pocket the money, then skip town before his tone-deaf ignorance is revealed. What the fast-talking spellbinder forgets to factor in is getting his foot stuck on haughty local librarian, Marian Paroo. The book, music and lyrics...

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 Collie’s Shed – Festival Theatre Studio

15May

By H.S. BakerNo Comments

Scotland

The Collie’s Shed – Festival Theatre Studio

This short and powerful play has made an appearance on Edinburgh fringe for the last two years. The Collie’s Shed now returns for a tour of Scotland’s central belt during the 40th anniversary year of the 1984 miners’ strike. Written and directed by Shelley Middler, the play focuses on four retired coal miners, all of whom lost their jobs when their colliery, Bilston Glen, closed in the 1980s following a bitter and violent strike which pitted miners against each other and against the police. Eight actors play four characters, with the action switching from 1984 to present day. Some of the striking miners of the time were arrested and imprisoned for their part in the violent acts on the picket line, and the narrative begins with news of a review by the Sco...

EDGAS: The Gondoliers – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

10May

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

EDGAS: The Gondoliers – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Some who might expect a Gilbert and Sullivan Opera to be about as exciting as watching paint dry, might well be persuaded otherwise, as I was, by this visual and musical treat, served up with exuberant brilliance by a company who clearly adore their craft. Undoubtedly one of G&S’s most joyful and brightest of light operas, The Gondoliers is crammed full with catchy toe-tapping songs, colourful characters and a farcical storyline which, to its credit, never takes itself too seriously. The titular boat-pushing Palmieri brothers, played with carefree boyishness by Theo Rankine-Fourdraine and Sebastian Davidson have it all going for them. In the Piazzetta of Venice, the peasant girls are throwing themselves at the peerless pair. Alas the odds are not good, there are four and twenty maid...

5May

By Louise BalaguerNo Comments

Scotland

Swan Lake – Festival Theatre

David Dawson, who has created this new interpretation for Scottish Ballet, sees Swan Lake as the dance equivalent of the Mona Lisa’. This statement from the souvenir programme is one that stood out to me – it speaks to the monument of ballet that Swan Lake is. But unlike the Mona Lisa, it presents the advantage of being a form of art that is live, constantly in motion, with endless possibilities of reinterpretation. With the aim of creating a show for a modern audience, Dawson stripped back the layers of the story to reach its essence: passion and betrayed trust. There are no elaborate palace and lakeside decors, or costumes adorned with tutus. The costumes, designed by Yumiko Takeshima, are for simplicity, elegancy, and showing off the physicality of the dance. No Baron von Rothbart ei...

6Mar

By Kathleen MansfieldNo Comments

Scotland

Hamilton – Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

The hype over Hamilton is spot on. This show tells the story of a political man, ambitious to make his mark in a time long gone and it does so with incredible spectacle, drama, humour and pathos. Currently touring the UK and Ireland, I was lucky enough to catch it at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. The set is a work of art by acclaimed designer, David Korins. It enables the bold, powerful dancers to tell their story on every level. As the auditorium fills, the empty stage is beautifully lit with a rich, almost visceral palette and Howell Binkley’s lighting design lends nuance and substance to every musical note throughout the evening. Howell Binkley deserves his award for lighting this show. The entire cast did their director, Thomas Kail, and his associates proud. It’s a word-hea...

Rob Brydon ‘A Night Of Songs & Laughter’ – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

20Feb

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

Rob Brydon ‘A Night Of Songs & Laughter’ – Edinburgh Festival Theatre

Once upon a time in the early noughties Rob Brydon was a cult figure, beloved by those-in-the-know for Marion & Geoff, Human Remains and The Keith Barret Show. Before bobbing up into the mainstream in 2007 via Gavin & Stacey he’d been the voice of countless adverts (following the Megan incident at BBC Radio Wales), the resilience, versatility and humour developed during what was a dark(-ish) period in his professional career and personal life providing ample material for tonight’s show. Of which we wish there’d been more, but… check the title. No-one’s used the words ‘national’ or ‘treasure’ yet but they must be imminent. Accumulated over the years Brydon can draw on such a deep well of honed wit, charm and skill it’s difficult to imagine anything he does failing. Both sure-...