Theatre
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This fringe will see perhaps one of the greatest obstacles to creative theatre, both new and old, that we‘re likely to see for many years, with the introduction of the smoking ban on Scottish Stages, and Hill Street Theatre look likely to lead the charge against censorship with its fringe program. Artistic director Tomek Borkowy began his career as an actor of some note in Poland before the demise of the Eastern Bloc. It is perhaps because Borkowy has been subjected to censorship before that his stand against the Scottish Executive‘s legislation which prohibits all forms of representation of smoke producing devices, even herbal cigarettes, has been so strong.
Hill Street have a long record of welcoming international work, particularly from Eastern Europe, and given that many of the companies bringing new work might be expected to incorporate smoking within the show, Borkowy has recently stated that he sees no option than to defy the ban in order to preserve freedom of creative expression. Quite whether PC plod
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will be called to this thriving and innovative venue is yet to be seen, but should this occur the story will certainly be worth following.
Meantime there’s no smoke without creativity, and this venue is perhaps one of the outstanding smaller scale buildings at the fringe. This year‘s program shows a promising mix of old and new work. The former might be represented by a mini festival, five of productions of Ibsen, five in total although all but one, a production of Hedda Gab/er by Open Secret will be new work inspired by the old master.
Meanwhile there'll be a star factor to this year‘s work. Susannah York will be appearing in The Deluge, an adaptation of Karen Blixen‘s classic story in which four upper class Danes trapped in a loft and seemingly awaiting their demise as floodwaters rise reveal much of their inner lives. This promises to be a night of tense theatre with a surprisingly contemporary edge. Meanwhile, among other highlights is Belgian Company 121 Theatre, with a weird sounding, but by all accounts fascinating piece called The Visit which posits a meeting between Sigmund Freud and God. Freud? Now didn‘t he smoke a cigar? Watch this space.
(Steve Cramer)
c VENUES Various Venues, Edinburgh. 2-28 Aug
GILDED BALLOON Various Venues. Edinburgh. 2—28 Aug
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