Theatre at Previously…

Nov 13 2014 | By More

History festival includes rare JM Barrie

Previously… Scotland’s History Festival boasts a trio of theatre productions at Adam House as part of its offerings next week, all produced by local shoestring company Black Dingo productions.

The productions include the return of a pair of four star Fringe hits: Michael Daviot’s Hyde & Seek and Jen McGregor’s adaptation of Strindberg’s Miss Julie.

Michaelf Daviot in Hyde & Seek

Michael Daviot in Hyde & Seek

The new production is a WW1 triple bill, which looks at those left behind on the home front during the first world war.

The central production of the triple bill is JM Barrie’s comedy, The Old Lady Shows Her Medals, published in 1918 in the Echoes of the War compilation. It features a number of women of a certain age whose judgemental opinions of each other generally – and of their contributions to the war effort in particular – provide the basis for a bittersweet humour.

It is performed with two shorts: the first concerning the consequences for munitions workers of making bombs and the second a true life story of a bright working class girl. Angela Milton directs Sian Fiddimore, Danielle Farrow, Hazel Armstrong, Deborah Whyte, Emma McKenna, Hazel DuBordieu, Tamas Fazakas and John Rennie.

For the two fringe favourites, Black Dingo are moving their 35-seat Discover 21 Studio from its home in St Margaret´s House, 151 London Road and recreating it in one of the upstairs rooms in Adam House on Chambers Street.

During the fringe, Hyde & Seek was sadly most known for the difficulties Michael Daviot suffered from noise bleeding into his venue. He eventually found a suitably soundproofed place to perform at Adam House where the critical and audience reactions were strong and positive.

duality and transformation

Obsessed with RLS since being gifted nightmares by Mervyn Peake’s illustrations to The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Daviot uses this relationship to explore family, memory, identity, addiction, mental health and the many faces of Mr Hyde.

Reviewing the production in Æ, Martin Gray wrote: “if you’re interested in duality and transformation, memory and identity, humanity and the soul, Daviot’s show is nigh unmissable. It’s not about self-indulgence, it’s about sharing ideas, and the charismatic Daviot is a superb communicator.”

Kirsty Eila McIntyre as Miss Julie

Kirsty Eila McIntyre as Miss Julie

There is rather less contemplative reflection in Miss Julie, Strindberg’s classic adapted by Jen McGregor. During the magic of Midsummer Eve, Miss Julie invades the world of her servants. She drags her father’s valet, John, into a sexually-charged encounter which is part seduction, part power struggle and part self-destruction.

Directed by Amy Gilmartin, Kirsty Eila McIntyre revives the role of Julie which she performed in the fringe production. In her review of the production Susan Lowes called it a “radiant performance” as, confused, Julie flits between being the strong-willed daughter her mother wanted her to be, the noble, proper lady her father intended, and the little girl longing to be loved.

Debbie Cannon reprises the role of the servant Kristin while Gerry Kielty takes over the role of the valet, John, from David McFarlane.

All three productions play Tue 18 – Thurs 20 and Sat 22 November. The WW1 Triple Bill is at 8pm, nightly, while Hyde & Seek and Miss Julie alternate between 6.30pm and 8pm. Hyde & Seek takes the earlier slot for the first two nights.

Full details of Previously are on its website: http://www.historyfest.co.uk/

Tickets from Eventbrite:
WW1 Triple Bill: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/world-war-one-plays-triple-bill-tickets-13704393209
Hyde & Seek: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hyde-and-seek-tickets-13715301837
Miss Julie: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/miss-julie-tickets-13714832433

Listings

All performances take place at: Adam House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1HT

Tuesday 18/Wednesday 19 November 2014
Hyde & Seek: 6.30pm (upstairs)
Miss Julie: 8pm (upstairs)
WW1 Triple Bill: 8pm (downstairs)

Thursday 20 & Saturday 22 November 2014:
Miss Julie: 6.30pm (upstairs)
Hyde & Seek: 8pm (upstairs)
WW1 Triple Bill: 8pm (downstairs)

ENDS

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