Traverse Theatre Archives - Page 4 of 15

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...

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 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 ...

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 ...

24May

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Mama’s Broke – Traverse Theatre Bar

Kicking off their first show in a five week tour of the UK, the Bar at Traverse Theatre proved an ideal intimate setting for a spell-binding performance by Canadian Folk duo, Mamma’s Broke, which had everyone leaning in and, at times, tapping along. Hailing from Nova Scotia, Edinburgh has been a regular destination for the pair, since their first Edinburgh Fringe foray eleven years ago, where they resorted to busking on the streets to survive. They have come a long way since then. Known for their haunting harmonies and genre-defying compositions, the 30-something pair served up a beautiful mixture of songs from their previous two albums, Count The Wicked (2017) and Narrow Line (2022), along with some new material heading into the recording studio later this year. The venue’s simpl...

22May

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

Blinded By The Light – Traverse Theatre

‘Blinded By The Light’ is a gem of a play which celebrates a group of miners fighting to preserve their community, their jobs and their way of life. But at the same time it shows us a future where life has become unsustainable on our planet. Playwright Sylvia Dow was teaching at Bo’Ness Academy in 1982 when the National Coal Board decided to close the town’s Kinneil Colliery on the grounds that it was no longer workable. This was disputed by the miners who believed there was a hundred years’ worth of coal left for them and their descendants to mine. Twelve of them (nicknamed ‘the dirty dozen’) decided to stage a ‘stay-doon’ in the deep pit tunnel under the River Forth. This was two years before the Miners’ Strike of 1984. Two of the actors playing miners are from Bo’Ness and the town...

The Rheingans Sisters – Traverse Theatre

20May

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

The Rheingans Sisters – Traverse Theatre

Performing the entirety of their 2024 album, Start Close in, Anna and Rowan Rheingans shared their talent with us in a continuation of their UK tour. I use the word “shared” very intentionally here - folk music is inherently a genre which is made for, and by, a collective - there is such a feeling of connection and intuitiveness within the genre that the Rheingans Sisters manage to capture and uphold beautifully. The melding of tradition and modernity in the composition, along with the sisters’ blending of Scandinavian, French, and British musical heritage truly encapsulates the collectivity of folk music. The range of instruments played by the sisters was a feat to behold, from the ancient tambourin à cordes, to a handmade banjo made from a gourd. The Rheingans Sisters d...

Soundhouse: A New International – Traverse Theatre

29Apr

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

Soundhouse: A New International – Traverse Theatre

What a joy this was! Returning to the Traverse for the first time since 2019, 8-piece Glasgow New Romantic band A New International kick up a storm in front of an appreciative packed house performing hits from their first three albums, a generous few from the soon to be released fourth (later this year) and a couple from the mythical fifth. As a newcomer to their music, it was certainly an eye opener! I enjoyed hearing their early back catalogue particularly History Will Be Ours, the wonderfully toe-tapping, Necrapolitan and the hilarious Trump love song New American, but it was their latest songs, particularly The Girls Sing Country Blue, (dedicated to Auntie Rita) and Flicker, Flicker Firelight, which hit me the hardest and show that this band is still very much on an upward trajector...

Stupid Sexy Poem Show – Traverse Theatre

29Apr

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Stupid Sexy Poem Show – Traverse Theatre

Scottish poet Rosie Jo Hunter took the Traverse theatre by storm with her unabashed, sold out, comedic slam-poetry cabaret. Having previously performed the show at the Edinburgh Fringe as well as in London, this sexy, stupid poem show still holds its freshness, ferocity and impulsivity thanks to the vigour and brazenness of Hunter’s performance. The show is almost crass in its delivery, what with the vulgarity of language and strong sexual content discussed throughout. However, that vulgarity is exactly why Hunter’s show is a success. We as the audience build an idea of Hunter’s character and of the show - it being presented as a cheeky, camp, sometimes touching comedy. Just when we think we have this show figured out, Hunter subverts our expectations throu...

A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here – Traverse Theatre

26Apr

By Roger JacobsNo Comments

Scotland

A Little Inquest Into What We Are All Doing Here – Traverse Theatre

A pink bodybag wriggles and squirms its way across the stage, an opening that will live long in the memory. Dramatic and comedic, it encouraged curiosity at the same time. Eventually our protagonist emerges from the shabby cocoon to take her place at what resembles a teacher’s desk festooned with microphones. This is none other than Josie Dale-Jones, who, frustrated at the poor, nay, terrifying quality and tone of sex education tried to put together a production that might major on the positive aspects of relationships and sex, aimed at families. It was evident this might attract some criticism but what followed from the trolls and keyboard warriors far exceeded her worst nightmares. A petition was launched, garnering 41,000 signatures, leading to the production being cancelled… before any...