Reviews of Shows from gwen@knoydart.org
Allotment
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Category
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Theatre
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Genres
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site-specific
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Group
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Nutshell
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Suitability
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U
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Duration
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1 hour
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What they said........
Don't miss your chance to see this (Scotsman) Fringe First 2011
winner, returning to the Fringe for one week only! Join Edinburgh company
Nutshell for a cuppa, a homemade scone and a moving tale of sibling rivalry
played out in the earth of a real allotment. Closely bound sisters Maddy and
Dora battle over flying teddies, stubborn weeds and the eternal question - do
flowers matter more than vegetables? **** 'Witty and sympathetic ... a grow
your own treat' (List). **** 'Darkly humorous ... wonderfully alive...'
(ThreeWeeks). Performed outside whatever the weather - come prepared! www.nutshelltheatre.co.uk.
“This show was
based outdoors on a real allotment with two actresses. A nice cup of tea and a
scone on arrival and glorious sunshine – though it started raining half way
through, which made it a bit difficult to hear over the sound of raindrops on
umbrellas. The story was of two sisters growing up – with some dark, sometimes
cruel incidents between them as well as some tender moments. The play covered tricky issues like abortion
and death so not a lighthearted family show. I was a little disappointed in
that I was expecting something more about allotments and gardening and whilst,
the location was an allotment and there was the odd reference to different
kinds of potatoes; it was quite heavy weight.
The “flying teddy” was in fact decapitated and buried at one point.. In
my view not a family show.” Gwen
Was it suitable for rural touring? Yes
Would I book them? Not
this show
Worth speaking to this company about this/ other things? Definitely
Bye Bye World
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Category
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Theatre
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Group
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Gehring & Ketelaars | Frijling
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Venue
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Times
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11:35
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Suitability
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PG
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Duration
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1 hour
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What they said.........'A woman takes a bite of left over birthday cake.
She looks around the house. Never again, she thinks. She sticks her fork in the
cake and grabs her coat.' It is possible. You could just disappear. Close the
door behind you, never return. Escape. Reinvent yourself. Start anew. By Anne
Gehring and Vera Ketelaars. Winner of the Dioraphte Best of the Amsterdam
Fringe Award 2011, and nominated for the Theatre Award at the Fringe World
festival Perth 2012. ‘A beautifully crafted tale of the desire to reject one’s
accumulated existence’ (ArtsHub, Australia). ‘Beautifully performed’ (Australian
Stage).
“Another two handed
show – minimal props and in the round so really suitable for a hall venue. The
two actresses unravelled their radically different characters through a series
of monologues; with the occasional scene where they played together. A moving play, about disappointment and the
desire to reinvent oneself and run away. Lively and engaging acting and some
very funny moments despite the overall serious tone. Enjoyable.I I’d say
suitable for adults and teenagers .” Gwen
Was it suitable for rural touring? Yes
Would I book them? Yes
Worth speaking to this company about this/ other things? Yes
Unmythable
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Category
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Theatre
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Genres
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comedy, family
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Suitability
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U
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Duration
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1 hour
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What they said.....
All the greatest Greek myths in just one hour - get ready for the
journey of a lifetime. Set sail with Jason and the Argonauts as he takes on his
greatest mission - the quest to bring back the Golden Fleece. Legendary heroes,
deadly monsters, epic fights and fantastical flights are all brought vividly to
life in an unmythable adventure for everyone aged eight to 88. With songs from
Barbershopera’s Rob Castell, Temple Theatre returns to Edinburgh after the
success of their multi award-winning, Out of Chaos. 'A magic formula, you are
bound to come out satisfied' (TheStage.co.uk)
“I was expecting a children’s play
(though given I’d already been to two shows classified “U” wasn’t quite sure
what to expect. Played in the round with
3 actors playing a host of parts. Three
boxes and a bit of dressing up gear was all they required... and a pa for a few
sound effects... so very transportable to rural venues. I absolutely loved this. It was funny, pacy, constantly surprising...
a great range of theatrical devices – some hilarious dialogue, brilliant songs
and a lot of slapstick. Littluns would love the larking about, falling over and
fighting monsters; older ones would like the “horrible histories” kind of
approach.. but there was plenty in it
for adults without compromising it being a genuinely family show. There were
primary aged children, teenagers and adults of all ages in the audience... oh
and a dog... and everyone laughed their socks off. There was gentle and
appropriate audience participation. If
you know the Greek myths you’ll get some of the subtler references, but it
would also work as an introduction to many of the stories. We should definitely get this show to tour
our area. I had a quick chat with the director afterwards and they are hoping
to tour in early 2013 and seemed interested in the idea of a highland tour”
Gwen
Was it suitable for rural touring? Yes, yes, yes
Would I book them?
Yes, yes, yes
Worth speaking to this company about this/ other things? Yes, yes, yes
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Remor
Category
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Dance
and Physical Theatre
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Genres
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international,
site-specific
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Group
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Res de
Res (Spain)
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Venue
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Event Website
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Duration
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11 minutes
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Suitability
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16+
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Country of Origin
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Spain
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What they said....
Share a prison cell with a couple,
unaware of each other, trying to piece together the mysterious death of their
relationship. An intimate physical theatre and dance, site-specific piece for
just fifteen people. Reminiscent of film thrillers like Memento, the piece
plays forwards and backwards, inviting the audience to unlock secrets from the
narrative. A story of freedom, whether individual or collective – a candid tale
of mutual necessity. Ultimate and enigmatic 'locked room' mystery from
acclaimed company Res de Res which has wowed audiences worldwide. Micro
theatre. 'Extraordinary, poetic, elegant' (El Mundo).
“This was a very moving piece of dance.
Indead, locked in a prison cell a large box in the centre of a room – with only
a set of bunkbeds a table and a sink – very very bleak. Just the experience of
being in that space was a challenging one. About 8 in the audience when I went
so not for the claustrophobic.! Very
physical dance almost acrobatic carried out on prison bunkbeds. Includes what appears to also be a suicide
and some clever backcasting and reversal of time sequences for what was only an
11 minute piece. This would have been
nice accompanied by some opportunity to discuss the show afterwards... I
wandered about a bit dazed after it. I didn’t get a chance to talk to them
after the show as they were running one show into the next so I’m not sure if
they have intentions to tour or not.
But I thought it was brilliant.” Gwen
Was it suitable for rural touring? Not sure
Would I book them?
Logistics would say no for us – would be good as part of a festival of
arts though (at a local level!)
Worth speaking to this company about this/ other things? Quite possibly but as overseas based might be
tricky
Angus Weaver of Grass
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Category
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Theatre
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Genres
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multimedia, puppetry
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Group
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Horse + Bamboo
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Venue
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Times
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16:00
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Suitability
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PG
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Duration
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1 hour 15 minutes
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What they said....Angus MacPhee’s life is a tale of illness, lost
traditions and magical hats of grass, stunning like sunbursts. Raised on South
Uist, and traumatised by WWII Angus spent 50 years in a psychiatric hospital.
He did not speak; instead he wove remarkable costumes from grass. This work is
now in the Collection de l'Art Brut, Switzerland. Featuring Gaelic singer Mairi
Morrison and grass replicas by Joanne B Kaar. Using sounds, songs and images of
the Outer Hebrides this is his tale. ‘Physical, emotional and aural beauty ...
their collective artistry is awesome’ (Stage).
“This was absolutely
and utterly spellbinding. Amazing puppetry of all kinds – shadow, string
puppets, hand puppet, back lit, projected cartoon, beautiful lighting, amazingly tailored costumes,
singing, acting. The whole show was in Gaelic with the very occasional English
word.As a non-Gaelic speaker I found it very accessible. Narration and song backed beautiful and gentle
work by the small cast. The scenery was
constantly moved and refreshed to move on the story and create new spaces, and
this movement was very beautifully managed in itself. A story which moves from Angus’s childhood of
innocence, love and calm, through to the horrors of war and into the time Angus
spent in the hospital and his weaving. Many of the audience dabbing away tears at
the beauty and sadness of the piece. It was perfectly respectful to the memory
of Angus. I really hope it tours again. Everyone should see it. “
Was it suitable for rural touring? Yes
Would I book them? I think their staging is too big for our
hall (which is is excessively small) but probably good for most other venues.
Worth speaking to this company about this/ other things? Yes
Eric’s Tales of the Sea
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Category
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Comedy
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Genres
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storytelling
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Times
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14:20
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Suitability
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12+
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Duration
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1 hour
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What they said......Award-winning show. True-life submariner Eric, tells
stories of life onboard a nuclear submarine. This show's not to be missed, it's
truly unique. To call it only a comedy show wouldn't do it justice, as Eric
plays with the audience's every emotion skilfully. Eric will keep you
(mesmerised) hanging on his every word. With a selection of incredible images,
he takes the audience through his experiences, which at times leave the
audience scared to breathe in case they miss something. Real life story of
danger, suspense and true love underwater.
“This was fun. A bit
like being in a submarine – they room was dark and had been lined with black
fabric. Eric is indeed very funny –with himself being the butt of most of his
jokes. His photos were truly terrible
(there is a limit to what kind of photos you can take on or from a submarine –
so basically of blokes crammed into a small space or for outdoor shots – grey sea
with a bit of submarine in them!). I wouldn’t say I was scared to breathe... or
that there was a lot of suspense. It was
like a really good after-dinner speaker or a really funny illustrated talk.
Good at comic timing, very personal stories of (mainly) scrapes that he had
gotten into at sea. Some nice stories of both friendship and of shark
encounters! A couple of blue stories
that frankly he should miss out (and would ... for a family audience – I asked
him!) Worth a look for a hall programme if you like getting visiting speaker/
slideshow type events. He’d probably be up for a bit of question and answer session
too – he was great with a couple of kids after the show who were desperate to
talk about sharks.” Gwen
Was it suitable for rural touring? Yes
Would I book them? Yes, but as a “talk” not a “show”
Worth speaking to this company about this/ other things? Yes
Mind Reading for Breakfast
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Category
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Comedy
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Genres
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interactive, magic
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Group
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'Psychic' Psychologist - Rob Bailey
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Venue
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Times
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11:30
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Suitability
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12+
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Duration
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1 hour
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What they said.........The story of a psychologist turned ‘psychic’
performer. Weaving magic and comedy with his life story, Rob explores his
childhood love of supernatural mysteries, work in secure psychiatric wards, and
becoming a veteran Edinburgh performer. Delivered with sensitivity, humour and
baffling psychological illusions, Rob simultaneously demonstrates the power of
psychology and mental traps exploited by phony mystics. You’ll laugh and think.
www.psychicpsychologist.co.uk. ‘Ditches paranormal waffle without compromising
the air of mystique’ **** (Big Issue). ‘Genuinely impressive stunts of
psychological detection…’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘A chaotic yet cool hour of
tomfoolery’ (Scotsgay). ‘Very funny … very entertaining…’ (Oxford
Times).
“ Great show, about an
hour. In a lecture hall type venue – but great for an ordinary hall or even
classroom. He just needs a stage a project and a couple of tables. The whole show was peppered with tricks (of
the mind reading kind) e.g. where he guessed what words people had written and
put in envelopes. I’d imagine no stooges (that would be hard to replicate in a
village hall venue as we would spot the strangers straight away!) but just
classic magic and psychology tricks In between the tricks he told the story of his
life and how he had become interested in psychology. Very funny banter and at times he looked like
he really didn’t know what he was doing..or the trick had gone wrong. but this
was again a ruse...Light hearted, entertaining.
A good all rounder for a small community audience – something everyone
could come to.”Gwen
Was it suitable for rural touring? Yes
Would I book them? Yes
Worth speaking to this company about this/ other things? Yes
