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Reviews Archive
July 2008
Peeping at Bosch
Until July 13 2008 at Tramway, Glasgow"No ordinary theatre show... Hell is certainly a cut above the average 'dungeon' tourist-trap"
June 2008
Blackbird
Theatre Royal, Glasgow"Dawn Steele captures the brittle determination of a complex and unknowable character"
Evita
Edinburgh Playhouse"Takes the audience on an emotionally satisfying round trip"
Old People, Children and Animals
Tramway, Glasgow"Delivers on all of its promises yet doesn't live up to expectations"
Swindle & Death
Toured to Glasgow, Auchtermuchty, Ladybank, St Monans, St Andrews, Glenmoriston, Ardross, Lyth, Clashmore, Torridon, Ballachulish and Tobermory."An uneven play - part madcap black comedy, part rant... the conclusion is unsatisfying"
May 2008
Abigail's Party
Toured to Musselburgh, Giffnock and Kirkcaldy"It is rare to find a cast having as much fun as these performers clearly are"
The Drawer Boy
Tron Theatre, Glasgow"A very entertaining night at the theatre... a first-rate play and a cracking cast"
Nova Scotia
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh"The play’s structure is all over the place... silence filled a number of excruciating pauses"
The Wedding Singer
Edinburgh Playhouse"Whole scenes are shoehorned in from the film... the humour does not translate well to the stage"
April 2008
The Arches Award for Stage Directors
The Arches, Glasgow and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.Sixteen:, "The premise suggests an hour of taught, provocative theatre, but this is anything but"
The Severed Head of Comrade Bukhari:, "The four performers interact brilliantly, finding the seductive rhythm in the dialogue"
Black Watch
SECC, Glasgow."Brings new meaning to the term ‘shock and awe’ ... worth seeing, remembering and celebrating"
Educating Agnes
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow and Perth Theatre"Moliere’s work with Lochhead’s writing talents makes for a happy marriage"
Elephant
Edinburgh Festival Theatre."An enjoyable and rewarding experience... family theatre for the whole family"
Fiddler on the Roof
Edinburgh Playhouse."All in all, this is a solid production of a timeless musical"
Mamma Mia!
Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow"The story tends to be secondary to the songs… but by the finale the audience is lapping it up"
That Night Follows Day
Tramway, Glasgow"Confrontational... the performances are remarkable"
Trumpets and Raspberries
Until May 10 at Royal Lyceum Theatre"Hilarious... laughter echoed endlessly throughout the theatre"
The Wasp Factory
Toured to Glasgow, Stirling, Stornoway, Bathgate, Stranraer, Kilmarnock, Cumbernauld, Dundee, Kirkcaldy, Inverness, St Andrews, Falkirk, Edinburgh and Aberdeen"Musical interludes and bursts of nudity prove distracting"
Yarn
Verdant Works, Dundee"Though very entertaining, the show tends to feel like an actors' improv game"
March 2008
The 39 Steps
King's Theatre, Edinburgh "A thoroughly enjoyable production that both mocks and celebrates the spy genre"
The Arches Brick Award: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
The Arches, Glasgow."Performances that are funny and eerie at the same time"
The Arches Brick Award: Mile End
The Arches, Glasgow."The story is predictable... what is remarkable is how well it is told"
Romeo & Juliet
Dundee Rep."There really isn't a sense of overwhelming love at first sight"
Spring Tour: DEFINED
Toured to Inverness, Edinburgh, Skye, Strontian and Stirling."Excellent technique, expressive dancers... Schechter’s work shows promise, while Lorent’s is more polished"
Shining City
Toured to Giffnock, St Andrews, Perth, Kirkcaldy, Peebles, Stirling, East Kilbride, Easterhouse, Paisley, Irvine, Stranraer, Rutherglen, Moffat, Kilmarnock and Bathgate."An insightful drama filled with subtlety and nuance"
Vanity Fair
Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh"Full of surprises, from musical number to witty use of very simple props"
The Wall
Toured to Glasgow, Rutherglen, Musselburgh, Falkirk, Greenock, Dunfermline, Motherwell, Bathgate, Stranraer, Stirling, Irvine, Inverness, Castle Douglas, Cumbernauld, Kilmarnock, Giffnock, St Andrews and Dundee.."Full of clever moments that are both funny and moving"
February 2008
Bailegangaire (The Town Without Laughter)
The Arches, Glasgow."Three great performances... a fitting conclusion to Andy Arnold’s leadership of The Arches"
Equus
Toured to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen."Simon Callow doesn’t convince as a man experiencing a crisis of faith"
Great Expectations
Toured to St Andrews, Bathgate, Stranraer, Langholm, Hawick, Musselburgh, Gordounstoun, Kirkcaldy, Paisley, Dunkeld, Arbroath, Stirling, Isle of Skye, Ardross, Ullapool, Stornoway, Rosehall, Thurso, Banchory, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness."A first-rate treatment... scenes are played out at a break-neck speed"
Hello Dolly!
Toured to Edinburgh and Glasgow."By no means a poor night out... but still a disappointment"
Of Mice and Men
Perth Theatre."Ian Grieve's production is likely to strike a chord with those caring for elderly relatives"
She Stoops to Conquer
Toured to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen."Brilliant energy and pacing from the ensemble... an elegant and solid production"
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Toured to Edinburgh and Glasgow."Theatrical self-consciousness permeates almost every line of dialogue... the play is a paradox"
Static
Toured to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and Inverness."A sensitive portrayal of a family in torment, hinting at the possible redemption that music can bring"
Waiting for Godot
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow."Easily accessible to those who have not experienced Beckett’s work before"
January 2008
Aspects of Love
Edinburgh Festival Theatre."The piece would work much better on a smaller scale... the audience seemed mostly left behind"
Barry
Touring to Glasgow, Yetholm, Peebles, Walkerburn, Gattonside, Denholm, Lauder and Ettrick Bridge."Information is packed into the dialogue... what’s surprising about the play is how relevant it feels"
The Blue Room
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow."It isn’t a great play... but what both actors are able to accomplish is no small feat"
The Glass Menagerie
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh."Full of strong performances ... director Jemima Levick allows the writing to resonate"
Testing the Echo
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh."Forceful and entertaining... moments will leave you stunned by the versatility of its performers"
Translations
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow."There is not one performance below excellent... greatly entertaining"
Walden
Stills, Edinburgh."Audience and actor share intimacy without encroachment... but Thoreau's subtle humour is all but lost"
December 2007
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat
Edinburgh Playhouse"Unashamedly loud, bright and joyful ... both local lads have the audience behind them"
Peter Pan
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow."Charming ... a fresh, family-friendly alternative to panto"
The Sleeping Beauty
Toured to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Invernes."Merges a playful post-modernism and rigorous ballet technique... a sumptuous visual treat"
The Wizard of Oz
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh."Captures the story’s dream-like qualities ... fans of the film won’t be disappointed"
November 2007
Molly Sweeney
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh."It’s Cara Kelly’s powerhouse performance as Molly that stays with you"
Godspell
Theatre Royal, Glasgow."Isn’t even slightly dated, and there's no trace of the tweeness that can so often afflict this show"
Tamburlaine Must Die
Tron Theatre, Glasgow."Bodily fluids are spilled almost continuously... the script begins to feel incidental"
White Christmas
Edinburgh Playhouse."A fun, high energy, exuberant production ... only the Grinch could fail to feel the warm glow of its festive spirit"
October 2007
A Midsummer Night's Dream
King's Theatre, Edinburgh."May well change the way you look at theatre... there is something harmoniously global about the experience"
Antigone
Tron Theatre, Glasgow."Strong performances... but the director's choices overshadow the work of the cast"
Desire Under the Elms
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow."A play riddled with clichés... leaves much to be desired"
Herbal Remedies
The Arches, Glasgow."Succeeds on many levels: heart-breaking, provocative and very, very funny"
Living Quarters
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh."Experimental – at times exhilaratingly so – but ultimately doesn’t quite deliver"
Only the Men
Toured to Glasgow, Plockton, Ullapool, Findhorn, Strontian, Mull, Banchory, Craigellachie, Strathdon, Aberdeen and Hopeman."Paints a vivid picture of melancholy life in the Highlands"
The Pearlfisher
Toured to Edinburgh, Yetholm, Ullapool, Stornoway, Ardross, Gairloch, Isle of Skye and Ballachulish."A tale of cultural drama and heartfelt compassion"
The Producers
King's Theatre, Glasgow."There isn’t a weak link in the production... I can’t think of a time I’ve heard an audience laugh as loudly and as frequently"
September 2007
The Algebra of Freedom
Toured to Glasgow, Irvine, Banchory, Findhorn, Aberdeen, St Andrews, Paisley, Bathgate, Easterhouse, Cumbernauld, Musselburgh, Edinburgh, East Kilbride and Stirling"7:84 needed to bounce back with a bold, timely production... this fits the bill"
Hamlet
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow"Uninspiring... the ghost’s appearances are like something from children’s TV"
How the Other Half Loves
King's Theatre, Edinburgh"A wildly funny evening at the theatre... the cast is exemplary"
Never Forget
Edinburgh Playhouse"As cheesy, camp and crowd-pleasing as you’d expect"
Peer Gynt
Dundee Rep Theatre"Sex, violence, trolls, and plenty of swearing... an engrossing, highly entertaining piece of theatre""
Rupture
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh"Strong performances... plenty to discuss on the way home"
The Winter's Tale
Until October 20 2007 at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh."Doesn’t quite match in comic exuberance what it delivers in dramatic bite"
August 2007
7 Spies at the Casino
Underbelly, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Paul Lavers as David Niven has just the right sort of story-telling style"
A Conversation with Edith Head
Assembly @ Hill Street Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A leisurely paced hour... an enjoyably old-fashioned affair"
A Glance at New York
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"The constant echo of lines and almost ceaseless movement are not a little irritating"
An Age of Angels
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"I wish I could have liked it more... many of the early characters are given irritating mannerisms or voices"
Arnold Wesker's The Mistress
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"One of those power-house solo shows that the Fringe is so good at showcasing"
as the mother of a brown boy. . .
Zoo Southside, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A sublime piece of dance theatre... the number of 'issues' touched on begins to overwhelm"
American Poodle
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A slightly raw feel... but the second piece is extremely funny"
An Air Balloon Across Antarctica
Pleasance Dome, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."Ultimately a moving, emotional experience"
The Art of Swimming
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Enchanting writing... an hour of quiet, gentle delight"
Auto Auto
Pleasance Courtyhard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."Unsatisfying... something is definitely being lost in translation"
The Bacchae
Kings Theatre as part of Edinburgh International Festivaland Theatre Royal, Glasgow
"A tremendous, utterly theatrical and spectacular production"
Basic Training
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Spine-tingling... a wonderfully talented entertainer"
Believe – Linda Marlowe
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A very powerful,if somewhat grim show"
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Underbelly, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Deadpan sinister perfection... there was a palpable shiver of fear"
The Bitches' Ball
Assembly @ Hill Street Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A great, colourful show so full of energy that you can't help but be swept along by it"
Bombers'Row
Assembly @ Hill Street Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"The story feels like an afterthought, with celebrity terrorists the main attraction"
The Book Club – All-New Fighting Years
Assembly Universal Arts, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."A real treat with a glorious tumble of tatty books"
Bridget Christie - The Court of King Charles II
Underbelly's Baby Belly, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Endearingly shambolic... the dub reggae finale is inspired"
Cállate!
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A Mexican feast of wild comedy... deserves to be one of the hits of the Fringe"
Certified Male
Assembly @ St George's West, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Good entertainment... and Les Dennis is a few notches closer to full Fringe cred"
Change: The Upcoming War with Iran
Assembly @ Hill Street Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Not perfect... but featuring an immensely strong portrait of a weak man"
Dai (Enough)
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A powerful emotional experience that is stunning in every sense of the word"
Damascus
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Highly entertaining... if the second half disappoints it’s mainly because the first is so strong"
The Debutante Diaries
Gilded Balloon Teviot, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."It's not clear who the target audience is... gently scathing humour"
The Discotivity
Gilded Balloon Teviot, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Jokes are more miss than hit... give the cast some material to work with"
Emergence-See!
Assembly @ St George's West, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Plenty to chew on... Daniel Beaty is a better writer than performer"
The End of Everything Ever
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."A lifetime of laughter and tears packed into 70 minutes - utterly wonderful"
Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision
Pleasance Courtyhard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"As glittery, glossy, camp, tacky and loud as they come... has cult status written all over it"
Follow Me
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"An outstanding piece of writing... the two performances are simply terrific"
Forgotten Voices
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"One of the most heart-rending plays you'll find on the Fringe... the cast couldn't be better"
Frank and Dolly
Gilded Balloon Teviot, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"May not be cutting edge but it delivers what it promises"
Fuerzabruta
The Black Tent @ Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh"A truly epic, spectacular production... it genuinely feels like anything could happen"
Game Theory
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"The entire piece is so static that it may as well be a radio play"
Garibaldi!
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Probably a show for Radio 4 listeners... it tells its story very entertaingly"
Habagat
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Art House, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Committed performances... by no means a perfect play but it looks good"
Harden the Fuck Up World
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Heath Franklin has charismatic aggression down to a fine art"
Hugh Hughes in... Story of a Rabbit
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."Quirky humour and sublime silliness"
I Am My Own Wife
Assembly @ St George's West, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."An amazing story, superbly told by both writer and actor"
In The Pink
C Too, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"An hour of pure, sparkling entertainment"
Into the Hoods
Pleasance Courtyhard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A wonderfully exuberant show that will delight all ages"
Is This About Sex?
Traverse 3: The Drill Hall, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Sharp and funny... by the end it becomes a genuinely touching romance"
Jihad: The Musical
C Chambers Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"An intelligent and witty late night treat"
Joanna Neary's Little Moments
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Something special... a modest, intimate show"
Johnson and Boswell – Late But Live
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Guffaws of laughter...the casting is inspired"
Killer Joe
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Trailer trash black comedy... certainly worth seeing, if only for the acting"
La Didone
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, as part of Edinburgh International Festival"Very well sung and played, albeit with somewhat unusual trimmings"
La Femme est Morte or Why I Should Not F**k My Son
Pleasance Dome, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Performances that are pitch perfect in tone and style... it's a blast"
The Last South: Pursuit of the Pole
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A powerful two-hander... although the actors were clearly reading their scripts"
Long Time Dead
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"The climbing scenes are terrific... two and a half hours seem to fly by"
Mabou Mines Dollhouse
King's Theatre, as part of Edinburgh International Festival"Audacious, startling, nightmarish, theatrical and eye-opening"
On Danse
Edinburgh Playhouse, as part of Edinburgh International Festival"A psychedelic celebration of body and soul... great fun"
Orpheus X
Royal Lyceum Theatre as part of Edinburgh International Festival"Stylish but soulless... the score is haunting"
Picasso & Me
Valvona & Crolla, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Just a little too long but very enjoyable... the anecdotes are gripping"
Pit
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"One to savour... a gothic tale of family values and culinary complications"
Play On Words
C soco, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"I've rarely been so wrong-footed... a very good play indeed"
The Psychic Detective (and Those Disappeared)
E4 UdderBELLY's Pasture as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"This noir-style mystery makes for a frustrating hour of theatre"
Romeo and Juliet (Aquila Theatre Company)
Assembly @ George Street, aS part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A powerful reading... some of the smaller roles were as good as I've ever seen"
Romeo and Juliet (Globe Touring)
Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Never quite manages to tug the heartstrings... an over-emphasis on the play's comic elements"
Scarborough
Assembly @ George Street, aS part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Doesn’t just go near the knuckle but lightly grazes it... James Baxter is extraordinarily good"
Shackled
Euroscot, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe."Things soon descend into one-note hysteria"
Something Fishy
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Deep in League of Gentlemen territory... very clever, very funny theatre indeed"
Stonewall
Pleasance Courtyard, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Inspirational... relevant to anyone who has a heart"
Stoopud Fucken Animals
Traverse 3: The Drill Hall, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"It feels like the young writer has set himself too great a challenge"
Subway
Traverse 3: The Drill Hall, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Frustratingly close to being the hands-down must-see of the Fringe"
Truckstop
The Zoo, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"So ambiguous that it’s difficult to form emotional connections with any of the characters"
Truth in Translation
Assembly Hall, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Extraordinary... an emotional roller-coaster ride through a country's recent history"
Venus as a Boy
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A shining, shimmering example of NTS funding being put to excellent use"
Tir Nan Og
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Strongly presented, but a more modest venue would have given it greater impact"
Tony! The Blair Musical
C Chambers Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A daft and soft-centred musical revue"
Waiting for Alice
Assembly @ George Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"One of the cleverest endings on the Fringe... a delightful treat of a show"
The Walworth Farce
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"An unforgettable production... one of the funniest, most devastating plays to be seen anywhere this year"
Wish I Had a Sylvia Plath
Underbelly's Baby Belly, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Genuinely painful and disturbing... Elisabeth Gray never allows you to laugh easily"
Yellow Moon
Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Masterful direction and a first-class script... an absolute gem of a show"
Xenu Is Loose!...
C Chambers Street, as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"The voices of the two leads are entirely unsuited to musical theatre"
June 2007
42nd Street
Edinburgh PlayhouseHis Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
King's Theatre, Glasgow
"Don’t expect to fall in love with the characters,but prepare to be wowed by precision tap dancing"
Detainee A
The Arches, Glasgow"Red herrings abound in what makes for an unflinching take on an extremely sensitive subject"
Guys and Dolls
Edinburgh Playhouse"Even with a few flat notes and rushed lines, it still makes for a hugely enjoyable night"
Mahabharata
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh"Powerful, colourful and ultimately moving"
May 2007
Angels in America
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow
"This is a truly expansive and wonderful work: do not miss it"
The Flouers o Edinburgh
Until October 17 2007 at Pitlochry Festival Theatre."A rich theatrical feast, full to overflowing with outrageous performances and visual delights"
Nightfall
May 29 2007, Eastgate Theatre, Peebles; May 30 2007, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, May 31 2007, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy."The play grips from start to finish... the acting is exemplary"
The Magistrate
Until October 20 2007 at Pitlochry Festival Theatre."Splendidly funny... but lacks the ultimate delirium of great farce"
The Philadelphia Story
Until October 20 2007 at Pitlochry Festival Theatre."An elegant production... gorgeous designs by Monika Nisbet"
Snake in the Grass
Until October 17 2007 at Pitlochry Festival Theatre."Guaranteed to stretch your nerves... a cracking piece of entertainment""
Sunshine on Leith
Until May 26 at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, May 29-June 2 at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen"Full of genuinely funny lines... but at times almost unbearably sentimental"
April 2007
Aalst
Toured to Glasgow, Stirling, North Edinburgh, Peebles, Musselburgh, Paisley and Edinburgh."A bold, gripping exploration that offers no easy answers"
Amada & Mother, Father, Son
The Arches, Glasgow as Part of the Arches Theatre Festival 07."We are given a smorgasbord of theatrics" & "The script tells a fresh and engaging story"
Broken Glass
Toured to Glasgow, Mull, Craignish, Easdale Island, Dumfries, East Kilbride, Musselburgh, Greenock, Auchencairn, Peebles, Bathgate, St Andrews."The play's historical context ultimately overwhelms the domestic drama that it frames"
Carthage Must Be Destroyed
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh"Slick and entertaining... but loses some of its impact along the way"
Fergus Lamont
Toured to Perth, Glasgow, Dunfermline, Musselburgh, St Andrews, Stirling, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Strathpeffer, Forres and Edinburgh."Plenty of humour... focuses on the story's political rather than personal conflicts"
Futurology
Toured to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen."Confronts us with the ridiculousness of our own childishness and distraction"
Man of La Mancha
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh."Warm-hearted, witty and hugely enjoyable"
Re:Union
Toured to Paisley, Glasgow, Ullapool, Kingussie, Easterhouse, Musselburgh, Stirling, Dunkeld."Timely and nationally relevant"
Spanglebaby & The Be(a)st of Taylor Mac
The Arches, Glasgow as Part of the Arches Theatre Festival 07."The imaginative direction and passionate performances mostly manage to disguise the flimsy script" & "An evening above and beyond a simple cabaret"
Tunes of Glory
Perth Theatre."This is a handsome, old-fashioned show"
March 2007
Hughie
The Arches, Glasgow"A vivid character study... but almost entirely static"
Humble Boy
Perth Theatre"A beautifully nuanced tragic-comedy… very funny and very, very clever"
Monks
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh"Writer Des Dillon has bitten off more than he can chew"
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
Toured to Paisley, Stranraer, Musselburgh, Giffnock, Falkirk, Dunfermline, Glasgow, North Edinburgh, Easterhouse, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, Bathgate"A linear, predictable tale... but Denise Hoey's singing is very impressive"
strangers, babies
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh"Demands considerable investment from the audience but offers little in return"
The Unconquered
Toured to St Andrews, North Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Bathgate, Giffnock, Banchory, Findhorn, Dunkeld, Lyth, Strathpeffer, Aultbea, Lochcarron, Isle of Skye, Kilmarnock, Peebles and Edinburgh."Some exquisite dialogue... but use of repetition becomes grating"
February 2007
The Bevellers
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow"Suffers from weak structure and under-developed characters"
Mrs Warren's Profession
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh"Exceptionally well-cast and gloriously funny"
Risk
Toured to Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Lossiemouth, Kingussie, North Edinburgh, Stirling, Dunfermline, Langholm, Falkirk and Musselburgh."Takes a dizzying number of different approaches to its open-ended theme"
January 2007
All My Sons
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh"Great cast... a promising start to 2007"
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Edinburgh Playhouse"The gasps and spontaneous applause are well earned"
The Little Foxes
Perth Theatre"Scenes that should be gripping feel limp"
December 2006
Hansel and Gretel
Dundee Rep Theatre"Full of gross-out comedy, silly songs and audience participation"
James and the Giant Peach
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow"Some charming moments, but lacks wow factor"
Pinocchio
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh"Energetic performances... gloriously shambolic"
November 2006
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Perth Theatre"Hyde is more like a panto villain than a chilling manifestation of man’s darkest desires"
The Shadow of a Gunman
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow"Despite capable performances, the emotional drama fails to resonate"
Tilt
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh"If you see just one of the Tilt plays, make it Distracted"
Tom Fool
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow"Excellent performances... never less than enthralling"
October 2006
Chicago
Edinburgh Playhouse"What Jennifer Ellison lacks in lung power she makes up for with stage presence"
The Double Inconstancy
Toured to Kirkcadly and Peebles"Excellent direction... an elegantly enjoyable production"
Drenched
Toured to Peebles, Dunfermline and Aberdeen"An engaging solo performance... but confusing and frustratingly unrewarding"
Mary Stuart
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow and Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh"Not a dry history lesson, but a neatly plotted political thriller"
Mother Courage and her Children
Toured to Moray, Kirkwall, Dumfries, Aberdeen, Stirling, Peebles, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Glasgow"Awkward musical interludes slow the pace"
Not About Heroes
Byre Theatre, St Andrews"Believable and unsentimental... inspiring theatre"
Something Wicked
Toured to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Findhorn, Stirling, Paisley, Dunkeld and Cumbernauld"Much to admire, but it doesn't quite deliver"
Sweet Bird of Youth
Dundee Rep Theatre"An unconventional but memorable play... Irene MacDougall is on fantastic form"
The Tempest
Tron Theatre, Glasgow"More riotous than reflective… thoroughly entertaining"
September 2006
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Dundee Rep Theatre, Dundee"A dark, dirty, adult production... and very funny, too"
How to Steal a Diamond
Toured to Edinburgh, Peebles, Aberdeen, Paisley, Stirling, St Andrews and Musselburgh"An amusing take on the heist genre... short, sharp and slick"
Julie
Toured to Ballachulish, Ullapool, Skye, Cromarty, Thurso, Drumnadrochit, Newtonhill, New Deer, Tullynessle, Buckie, Galloway, Dumfriesshire and Sanquhar"A captivating production of a superbly crafted adaptation"
Losing Louis
Toured to St Andrews, Castle Douglas, Falkirk, Musselburgh, Drumnadrochit, Fortrose, Greenock, Dunfermline, Motherwell, Clarkston, Ayr and Cumbernauld"A horribly misogynistic comedy about envy, greed and infidelity"
The Merchant of Venice
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh"A fantastically crafted production of a still highly relevant play"
My Dark Sky
Toured to Barrhead, Carnoustie, Edinburgh, Bathgate and Castle Douglas"An effective little play about a very big subject"
The Truman Capote Talk Show
Tron Theatre, Glasgow"Surely the next best thing to an audience with the man himself"
Tutti Frutti
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen and King's Theatre, Edinburgh"A few sloppy touches, but an entertaining night out nonetheless"
Two
Toured to Perth, Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Ayr, Sitrling and Aberdeen"The audience expects the pair to be funny no matter what"
Yellow Moon
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow"Masterful direction and a first-class script... an absolute gem of a show"
August 2006
Allegiance
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Michael Fassbender as Michael Collins comes close to stealing the show"
Andrew Lawrence – How to Butcher Your Loved Ones
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A storming set full of dirty, disgusting and downright tasteless tales"
Black Watch
University of Edinburgh Drill Hall, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"If you see just one play at this year’s Fringe, make it this one"
C-90
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Storytelling in the old fashioned sense… sweet, charming and very, very funny"
Caesar Twins
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Their cut-price campness can be endearing, but is mostly irritating"
Cild
C Central, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"This first-time writer has bitten off considerably more than he can chew"
Cooking With Puccini
Assembly @ St George's West, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Great music, and the cooking is slickly done… almost as good as a trip to Italy"
¡El Conquistador!
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Witty and imaginative... the fairy tale ending is pure delight"
End of the Rainbow
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Caroline O’Connor gives a phenomenal performance"
The Factory
Baby Belly, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Visually stunning... brutal, blackly comic and really quite frightening"
Finders' Fee
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A little bamboozling...this is a play crying out for the big screen treatment"
Floating
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Blissful...simply charmingly silly"
Food
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Strong physical theatre that has at its core words and silences"
The Hamlet Project
C Central, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Just about everything you could ask from any production, let alone a student one"
(I Am) Nobody's Lunch
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Elevated above verbatim-for-laughs by its glorious songs"
Improbable Frequency
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A silly, joyous show… but take your brain along with you"
In Pursuit of Cardenio
Underbelly, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A wonderful mixture of information, skilful wit and sheer silliness"
The Interview
Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"The performances make it worth an hour of anyone's time"
Into the Hoods
Udderbelly, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A wonderfully exuberant show that will delight all ages"
Jesus: The Guantanamo Years
Underbelly, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A gently satirical little show... Jesus is preaching to the converted"
Jump
Assembly Hall, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Come away with a gloriously silly grin on your face and a feeling of stunned amazement"
Knots
Aurora Nova, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringeand Tron Theatre, Glasgow
"Highly original…an exhilarating way to spend 80 minutes"
We Don't Have Husbands – The Kransky Sisters
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A deliciously deadpan trio whose musical arrangements are wittily naïve"
Levelland
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Surely one of the most assured, satisfying debuts on the Fringe"
Marlon Brando's Corset
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A way over-long, badly constructed would-be satire"
Mickey Mouse is Dead
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Terrific...this is close-up theatre at its very best"
Midnight Cowboy
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Great ensemble work...Con O’Neill is powerfully convincing"
My Name is Rachel Corrie
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A story that needs to be heard, engagingly told in its subject’s own words"
Normal
C, Chambers Street, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A genuinely chilling production of an endlessly thought-provoking play"
Onysos The Wild
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Wonderfully evocative and slyly humorous"
Past Half Remembered
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"One of the funniest shows you're likely to catch anywhere on the Fringe"
Pauline Goldsmith – Should Have Had the Fish
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Falls rather awkwardly between drama and stand-up comedy"
Petrol Jesus Nightmare #5 (In the Time of the Messiah)
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A distinctly anti-American play, offering few solutions"
Platform
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh International Festival"Hardcore pornography, full-frontal nudity... a pessimistic peep show"
Pumpgirl
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A vigorous piece about three losers in life's race"
Realism
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh International Festival"The black comedy left me and everyone around me helpless with laughter"
The Receipt
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Talented performers, but the premise lacks freshness"
The Regina Monologues
C, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Ambitious,different and certainly never boring"
Russell Brand – Shame
Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Brand has made a pact with the devil of celebrity"
Special Nothing
Aurora Nova @ St Stephen's, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Provides frustratingly little insight into a unique mind"
Strawberries in January
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Even the most hard-hearted cynic is bound to leave the theatre grinning"
The Syringa Tree
Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Gin Hammond twists and turns to bring 24 characters to life"
Teen Scream – Scary Musical!
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Smart, funny and slickly performed... I absolutely loved it"
Terre Haute by Edmund White
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Compelling...the opening scene sparkles with wit and warmth"
Tits & Blood
Greyfriars Kirk House, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A great choice for this company... but don't expect to see this piece far beyond the Fringe"
Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A grippingly vivid, surprisingly funny account of sheer heroism"
Tone Clusters
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A quality piece of theatre... but the ticket price may be a deterrent for some"
Township Stories
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"A thoroughly nasty piece of work"
Troilus and Cressida
King's Theatre, Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh International Festival"An utterly gorgeous production, if a little bit bewildering"
True West
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"This coruscating, blackly comic play is a modern classic"
Unprotected
Traverse, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Seriously devastating stuff about the Liverpool sex industry"
Virgins
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"In an ideal world it would visit every secondary school in the country"
Wasted
Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"Compelling but frustrating... Morgan Thomas is terrifyingly convincing as Ian Brady"
We Don't Know Shi'ite
Underbelly, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe"The title is by far the cleverest thing about this show"
July 2006
SLOPE
Tramway, Glasgow"A bold production featuring committed performances from its two leads"
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