EDINBURGH
them; Liz Lochhead, Elaine C. Smith and Angie Rew in ‘The Complete Alternative History of the World Part One’ — scurrilously funny sketches that have been a sell-out elsewhere.
0 DRAMA CENTRE
A Big Red One Fri 24—Sun 26 Oct. 8.30pm. Redheads in an evening of sharp cabaret written by Peter Amott and Peter Mullan who take what might just be called a dim view ofThatcher's Britain. . .
O THEATRE WORKSHOP
Steve Jinslti and Suzie MacGuire Fri 17 Oct. 10pm (approx) Free. A late night ofcabaret in the bar: music from Steve Jinski. a blues musicran from Newcastle. and comedy from
STAGING
For many people, the phrase ‘total theatre’ might conjure up a picture 01 something experimental, probably serious and possibly pretentious. Which could not be iurther irom what the New Vic theatre company intend.
Theirs is, indeed, total theatre- in a sense — in that it starts in the ioyer as you arrive and practically iollows you into the street as you leave. But it is anything but serious. The company has acquired a strong iollowing throughout the country over recent years with its crazy, iunny and accessible productions.
The New Vic was lirst started six years ago by two actors who, having worked with director Michael Bogdanov, were inspired by his clear, alert style to set up a company that toured large scale venues with lively, punchy shows. Bogdanov (now directing with the National Theatre) still irequenlly directs them, though this latest, ‘The Last of the Mohicans’, is directed by Gavin Richards.
‘Mohicans' is an adaptation by Phil Woods of the novel by James Fenimore Cooper written in the 1830s— but, as Wood explains, it is typically unconventional and ‘anarchic':
‘The basic premise oi the play is that it's being periormed by a local Red Indian appreciation society called ‘ ‘Sons of Hawaitha’ so in the ioyer they l do demonstrations oi rain-dances etc. I
At the last minute though, the actor who
THEATRE LIST_____ __
Suzie MacGuire, erstwhile MacKray
twin.
Craig Slouczewslti Sat 18 Oct. 10pm (approx) Free. Craig Slouczewski’s experimental jazz on an instrument described as being ‘Iike a guitar but not a guitar‘. . .‘.’ forms part ofthe free cabaret this evening. Other acts unconfirmed at time ofgoing to press.
John Otway Thurs 23—Sat 25 Oct. 8pm. £3 (£2.50). The Aylesbury Madman invades Edinburgh with his blend of music and comedy. See Guestlist.
The Whangdoodle Four Fri 24 Oct. 10pm (approx) Free. Free cabaret in the bar this evening includes the Whangdoodle Four. whose comedy specialises in illuminating the workings ofthe Yuppy mind. at
ANARCHY
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plays Hawkeye is ill, so a stand-in has to play the part-and the stand-in is the element oi anarchy.’
This complicated double layer means that the actors themselves have to appear both prolessional and amateur simultaneously, a challenge to them
and to the playwright. ‘It would be
I: ditticult to write for it I didn't know them
so well.’ (Woods has written several of the New Vic’s past shows — including a wildly anarchic version of ‘The Canterbury Tales').
Behind the adventure story oi Cooper’s original, and the mayhem ol
2 the stage show, however, lurlts the sad : truth about what happened to the Red . Indians. ‘When Cooper wrote it he was
trying to cut across the prejudiced
i attitudes to the lied Indians. The
English and French were trying to separate one tribe irom anotherto get
them to light on their behali. The irony
is that they were lighting the war for
, possession oithe Indian lands.
‘What happened to the Indians was a complete massacre. Ninety percent oi them were wiped out— people don’t
realise just how many tribes there were : onceinAmerica-upwards oltwo
hundred.
‘That’s another play though. This production is very lunny- though the ending is sad. I hope what we’ve done here is a good piece oi theatrical adventure storytelling.’ (SH)
11pm. preceded by another act at 10pm. as yet unconfirmed.
Free Cabaret Sat 25 Oct. 10pm onwards. Free. Another evening of cabaret in the bar. acts unconfirmed at time ofgoing to press.
DANOE
EDINBURGH
0 THEATRE WORKSHOP 34 Hamilton Place. Box Office 226 5425. Mon—Sat 9.30am—5.30pm. Bar.
Cafe.
Khoros Dance Theatre Mon 20—ch 22 Oct. A mixed programme of dance from this Edinburgh company. containing both serious and humorous pieces. On Wednesday evening dancers from the Asian Artist Association will perform a programme of Classical
and Folk Dance.
0 KING’S THEATRE 2 Leven Street. Box Office 2291201. Mon—Sat
10am—8pm.
Giselle Tues 28 ()ct—Sat 1 Nov. This revamp ofPeter Darrell‘s ballet. first performed in 1971 . continues Scottish Ballet's autumn season. With Adolphe Adam‘s original score. it has been redesigned by Peter Cazalet from his original designs. The ballet tells the tragic story ofGiselIe. a tale oflove. sacrifice and Good conquering Evil - a classic tear-jerker. (iiselle will be reviewed in The [.131 next issue.
TNIATRI
COMPANY
BY STEPHEN JEFFRIES from a Story by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
Fri 17-Sat 18 Oct: CUMBERNAULD THEATRE at7.45pm Tue 21 Oct: SPRINGWELL HOUSE, EDINBURGH at7.30pm Wed 22—Thurs 23: STUDENT UNION THEATRE, ST ANDREWS at 8pm Fri 24 Oct: HARBOUR ARTS CENTRE, IRVINE at8pm Mon 27 Oct-Sat1 Nov: N. IRELAND
MORE DETAILS: Tel 031 225 3398
King’s Theatre, Edinburgh Box Office: 031 2291201 Theatre Royal, Glasgow
BOX Office: 041 331 1234
GISELLE
28 Oct—1 Nov
4 Nov—8 Nov
This tour IS sponsored by
’ SCOTTISH
I AMICABLE
LJFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
Subsidised by the Scottish Arts Council
_J
The List 17 - 30 October 21