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THIS WIDE NIGHT Godot-like portrayal of two trapped women who need each other
D avid Greig is no stranger to tackling grand social taboos. His last play Dalgety, which recently performed as part of A Play, a Pie and a Pint, dealt with individual freedom through naturism, while this latest production for the Tron sees him directing This Wide Night.
and self-expression
Chloe Moss wrote the piece in 2008, and Greig recently saw it performed in New York. ‘It’s about a beautiful relationship between an older woman and a younger one,’ he says. ‘They’ve both been in prison, but now they’re out and have to make their way. The younger one has life in her but is a bit chaotic, and while the older one had a kind-of status in prison, outside she is needy.’ For Greig, these two women really fitted together. ‘Something made me think of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot,’ he says. ‘These archetypes of people trapped, needing each
other in the vastness of the world and wishing they were free. I’d never seen that with women before.’ Veteran Glaswegian comedy actress Elaine C Smith takes the role of Lorraine, alongside Jayd Johnson (best known as River City’s Nicki Cullen) as Marie. His choice of Smith was informed, he says, by her understanding of ‘the vulnerability of the clown. It’s one of those circumstances where a terrific comedy actor will dig for more depth than an actor coming from the other angle with something very precise.’ In the wake of ongoing investigations into Channel 4’s controversial documentary Benefits Street, the play takes a timely look at how criminalisation can undermine esteem and status. (Lorna Irvine)
Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 20 Feb–Sat 15 Mar.
HITLIST THE BEST THEATRE & DANCE
✽ Bestiares The Greek gods entertain and amaze. Witty and smart visual theatre. Part
of the Manipulate festival. See preview, page 90. Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Mon 3 Feb.
✽ Long Day’s Journey into Night Eugene O’Neill’s play covers a single day in the life of a tormented American family. See preview, page 91. Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, Fri 17 Jan–Sat 8 Feb.
✽ 1933: Eine Nacht im Kabarett Cabaret
meets immersive theatre in a study of how the rise of Hitler happened in a time not unlike our own. See preview, page 93. Summerhall, Edinburgh, Fri 24 Jan–Sun 2 Feb.
Y A D T R E B O R
: O T O H P
✽ Twelfth Night Filter present the Bard with live music, energy and an eye on intelligent populism. See preview, page 91. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 28 Jan–Sat 1 Feb.
✽ A Sinister Wink Fringe favourites the Creative Martyrs’ monthly cabaret
session: pay to leave after an evening of dark entertainment. The Bungo Bar and Kitchen, Glasgow, Sun 26 Jan.
✽ Miss Julie Zinnie Harris updates Strindberg’s classic for a Scottish take on
the struggles between class and gender. See Q & A, page 94. Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Thu 6–Sat 15 Feb.
✽ British Dance Edition The showcase for the best choreography from across
the UK, including performances from Akram Khan and Hofesh Shechter. See preview, page 92. Various venues, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Thu 30 Jan–Sun 2 Feb.
23 Jan–20 Feb 2014 THE LIST 89