Festival Theatre list.co.uk/festival
Hitlist FESTIVAL THEATRE *
✽✽ Pas Perdus Sophisticated clown show from Les Argonautes that will delight the whole family. See review, page 51. Zoo Southside, 662 6892, until 30 Aug, 2.20pm, £12 (£9). ✽✽ The Author Tim Crouch’s powerful piece of theatre rips up the unwritten contract between audience and performers. See review, page 46. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, until 29 Aug, times vary, £15–£17 (£11–£12). ✽✽ It’s Always Right Now, Until It’s Later Deceptively simple but unbearably poignant storytelling from Daniel Kitson. See review, page 48. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, until 29 Aug, 10am, £12 (£10). ✽✽ Others Thought-provoking verbatim piece based on a conversation between three very different women. See review, page 50. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 29 Aug, 3.20pm, £9–£10 (£7.50–£8.50). ✽✽ Reykjavik Disconcerting, evocative multi-sensory promenade piece from Shams Theatre. See review, page 50. The Bongo Club, 557 2827, until 29 Aug, 12.45pm, £10 (£8). ✽✽ Roadkill Unrelenting, harrowing but incredibly powerful drama based on the pressing issue of sex trafficking. See review, page 48. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, until 29 Aug, times vary, £17–£19 (£12–£13). ✽✽ Diciembre Blackly comic play by Santiago-based company Teatro en al Blanco. See Big Pic, left. Royal Lyceum Theatre, 473 2000, 2-4 Sep, 8pm & 2.30pm (4 Sep only), £10–£27. For Festival index please see page 112.
DICIEMBRE This powerful, darkly comic piece marks the Edinburgh debut of young Santiago-based company Teatro en al Blanco (‘theatre that hits the target’). Set in 2014 the play explores the nature of war on both the personal and political levels through the character of a soldier fighting in a war between Chile, Peru and Bolivia, whose decision to defect provokes opposing reactions from his pregnant twin sisters. ■ Royal Lyceum Theatre, 473 2000, 2–4 Sep, 8pm & 2.30pm (4 Sep only), £10–£27.
Actor David Paisley has swapped performing for directing with his latest project: a retelling of Burns’ life from the perspective of the women who knew him, written by David’s mother, Janet Paisley 1 Give five reasons why people should come to see The Lasses O Our wonderful Lasses are five reasons by themselves: the performers in my show are amazing. The script, by Janet Paisley, has been a gift to work on as a first project: poignant, hilarious, earthy, truthful writing. The music: we have integrated singing and dancing and joy into the show, and have used Burns’ music as a way of taking us further into that world. The venue: Henderson’s is a gorgeous place to perform and the food is outstanding, although given I’m vegetarian I may be biased. Discovering
an exciting new perspective on Burns’ life, told from a feminine perspective. 2 What are your four favourite things about the Fringe? The atmosphere, meeting other artists and performers, taking risks on seeing new things, hard work paying off. 3 What three other shows do you hope to see while you’re here? Susan Calman – she’s great, Quality Control at the Underbelly and Sunset Song at the Assembly Rooms. 4 What two words sum up your show? Burns’ Women. 5 What one word sums up how you feel about directing? Fulfilment. ■ The Lasses O, Henderson’s Vegetarian Restaurant and Arts Venue, 225 2131, until 29 Aug (not 26 & 27), 10am (28), 8pm (29), £12 (£8).
5QUESTIONS 42 THE LIST 26 Aug–9 Sep 2010