Reviews of Shows from gwen@knoydart.org

Allotment

Category	Theatre
Genres	site-specific
Group	Nutshell
Suitability	U
Duration	1 hour

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

Category	Theatre
Group	Gehring & Ketelaars | Frijling
Venue	Underbelly, Cowgate
Times	11:35
Suitability	PG
Duration	1 hour

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

Category	Theatre
Genres	comedy, family
Suitability	U
Duration	1 hour

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

Remor Category	Dance and Physical Theatre
Genres	international, site-specific
Group	Res de Res (Spain)
Venue	C venues - C nova
Event Website	www.resderes.com/remor
Duration	11 minutes
Suitability	16+
Country of Origin	Spain

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

Category	Theatre
Genres	multimedia, puppetry
Group	Horse + Bamboo
Venue	Scottish Storytelling Centre
Times	16:00
Suitability	PG
Duration	1 hour 15 minutes

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

Category	Comedy
Genres	storytelling
Times	14:20
Suitability	12+
Duration	1 hour

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

Category	Comedy
Genres	interactive, magic
Group	'Psychic' Psychologist - Rob Bailey
Venue	Sweet Grassmarket
Times	11:30
Suitability	12+
Duration	1 hour

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