Festival
{THEATRE} LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVAL
HITLIST THE TEMPEST / KING LEAR The Edinburgh International Festival’s theatre programme kicks off with a pair of Shakespeare adaptations from, respectively, Korea’s Mokwha Repertory and China’s Contemporary Legend Theatre. ■ King’s Theatre (The Tempest), Royal Lyceum (King Lear), 473 2000, 13–16 Aug (The Tempest matinee 15 Aug, 2.30pm), £10–£30.
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A Slow Air David Harrower’s close- to-the-knuckle meditation on family loyalty, money and Scottish culture. See review, page 80. Traverse Theatre, 228 1404, until 21 Aug (not 15), times vary, £15–£17 (£11–£12). Whistle Monologue that beautifully, skilfully recreates aspirational 1960s Northern England and a harrowing real-life event. See review, page 84. Zoo, 662 6892, until 29 Aug (not 15, 25), 1.45pm, £7.50 (£5).
Elegy Moving, deeply compassionate one-man show based on true stories of homophobic persecution in Iraq. See review, page 78. Whitespace, 226 0000, until 28 Aug (not 16, 23), 8.30pm, £10 (£7).
Alma Mater Fish and Game create an immersive new theatrical experience. See review, page 76. St George’s West, 225 7001, until 29 Aug (not 15), every ten minutes from 11am–6.50pm, £5.
Jasmine Gwangju Multimedia extravaganza celebrating the Gwangju Uprising that launched South Korea towards democracy. See feature, page 72. EICC, 0844 847 1639, 13–19 August, 5.30pm, £10 (£7).
Forest Fringe The creative hub reopens for what may be its final year at the Forest Café. See preview, page 74. Forest Café, 220 4538, 15–27 Aug, times vary, free (visit forestfringe.co.uk to reserve places).
I Hope My Heart Goes First Junction 25’s remarkably poignant and insightful exploration of matters of the heart. See review, page 80. St George’s West, 225 7001, until 16 Aug, 2pm, also 24 Aug, 8.30pm, £10 (£8).
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Stage WHISPERS
NADIRA JANIKOVA ON THE PERSONAL CONNECTION SHE FEELS TO MEDEA
Medea represents a huge challenge for any actress. To help me in the role I looked at those aspects of my own experience relating to those of Medea. Like her, I am from Central Asia – she from Colchis, I from Samarkand. I grew up in a society where women’s roles are defined for them and where the wealthy and powerful often have more than one wife. Like Medea I am also a political exile. When I first came to the UK, my situation was very similar. My partner had been sacked as British Ambassador to Uzbekistan for his criticisms of the Uzbek government. I was on holiday with him in the UK, and suddenly I could never go back. My visa expired and I faced the prospect of having absolutely nowhere I could go, a devastating scenario that mirrors the situation Medea finds herself in.
I lived stateless for three years. I was helped by the President of Ghana, who granted me temporary citizenship – there is a parallel here with Medea turning to the Athenian king for help – in 2010 I was finally given a British passport. Beyond all this, I am a new
mother. For a parent the horror of Medea murdering her children is the most terrifying thought of all. Getting under the skin of a woman like Medea is quite a life-changing experience. ■ Medea, Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 29 Aug, 6.30pm, £12–£13 (£10).
11–18 Aug 2011 THE LIST 71
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