list.co.uk/festival Commonwealth Theatre | FESTIVAL THEATRE
ATIONAL STAGE L–R Black Faggot, The Zulu, Kiss Me Honey, Honey!, Spoiling
social issues to explore, as the land’s changes are all relatively fresh in the memory and the integration of its peoples is an ongoing process. Presented as an exercise in celebrating the Commonwealth (in fact, a high proportion of New Zealanders are the descendants of Scots settlers over the generations), the NZ at Edinburgh showcase series this year brings a range of theatre shows which scratch beneath the surface of what we imagine New Zealand to be. From a British perspective, playwright Arthur Meek’s On the Upside Down of the World traces the tempestuous history of our own colonisation of the country, a historical one-woman show which adapts the memoirs of Lady Ann Martin, wife of the country’s i rst chief justice and a pioneer of race relations in the mid-19th century.
Tales of migration to NZ don’t just emerge from this remote perspective. More than one show in this series looks at the communities of Pacii c Islanders who have settled in the country, but perhaps the most interesting – certainly the most attention-grabbing – might emerge in Victor Rodger’s Black Faggot, a hard-edged comedy about responses to the country’s Marriage Equality Bill set amid the Pacii c Island community. Highest proi le of all, meanwhile, will be the return of Samoan choreographer Lemi Ponifasio after his acclaimed Edinburgh International Festival shows in 2010, with the EIF’s I AM, a physical meditation on World War I and New Zealand’s role in it. (David Pollock)
On the Upside Down of the World, Assembly Roxy, 623 3030, 2–25 Aug (not 11), 1.15pm, £11–£13 (£10–£12). Previews 31 Jul & 1 Aug, £8. Black Faggot, Assembly Roxy, 623 3030, 2–25 Aug (not 11), 5.30pm, £11.50–£12.50 (£10.50–£11.50). Previews 31 Jul & 1 Aug, £7.
I AM, Playhouse, 473 2000, 16 & 17 Aug, 8pm, £10–£32.
SCOTLAND Bei tting a nation deciding its future shape, Scottish theatre is thriving, as evinced by the diversity on offer at this year’s Edinburgh festivals. Whether provocative, crowd-pleasing or challenging, there are grand, universal themes being grappled with – of friendship and identity, power and politics. John McCann’s Spoiling is a wry satire: Scotland’s outspoken foreign minister deviates from the script, and hilarity ensues. Featuring a strong central performance by Traverse favourite Gabriel Quigley, it’s sure to provoke audiences, whichever side of the referendum debate their allegiances lie. ‘John McCann’s writing has a real electrical charge and his timing, subject- wise, proved irresistible in terms of our festival programming,’ says the Traverse’s artistic director Orla O’Loughlin. ‘I’m proud that this provocative, heartfelt, funny play is part of the Made In Scotland showcase.’
Director Sam Kane has two of Scotland’s best-
loved comedy actors in Andy Gray and Grant Stott playing Graham and Ross, two middle-aged men who form a friendship through a somewhat incongruous shared love of Shirley Bassey in Kiss Me Honey, Honey!. For Kane, there’s grit amid the glamour too: ‘My take on the success of the piece is the absolute realness. Andy and Grant play their respective roles so brilliantly it’s impossible not to get whipped up in the comedy as well as the misery too. Last year I found myself laughing like a drain and sobbing like a baby.’ Another Made In Scotland presentation, White Stag Theatre Company’s critically acclaimed MacBheatha reimagines the breakdown of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship. Translated into Gaelic, it is suitable for English speakers, White Stag producer Paul Coulter explains: ‘The translation by Ian MacDonald, adapted by Uist actor David Walker, is true to the original script and the language brings warmth and truthfulness to the characters, whilst building the tension for anyone who may know the script but not necessarily understand each word.’ (Lorna Irvine)
Spoiling, Traverse, 228 1404, 1–24 Aug (not 4,11,18), times vary, £18 (£13). Previews 30 Jul–1 Aug, £12 (£7).
Kiss Me Honey, Honey!, Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, 17–24 Aug (not 21 & 22), times vary, £12.50 (£11.50). MacBheatha, Summerhall, 0845 874 3001, 11–24 Aug (not 18), 2pm, £12.50 (£9.00).
31 Jul–7 Aug 2014 THE LIST FESTIVAL 69