Listings Mon 20 – Sun 26 May 2019
The week on Edinburgh’s stages…
There’s a very strong showing for new Scottish writing this week, with three important works on three of the city’s main stages.
The Traverse has Twa, from Edinburgh playwright, performer and director Annie George, the King’s has Lost at Sea from Morna Young, while Zinnie Harris’s latest adaptation, The Duchess [of Malfi] opens at the Lyceum.
Lost at Sea by Morna Young. L-R: Jennifer Black, Gerry Mulgrew, Helen McAlpine, Kim Gerard, Thoren Ferguson, Ali Craig, Andy Clark. Pic: Mihaela Bodlovic
Each is, in its own way, an important work. Hugh Simpson reviewed Twa when it was at the Scottish Storytelling Centre at last year’s Fringe, calling it a lucid and involving production. He said: “At times stark and disturbing, it is nevertheless a depiction of hope that has an ultimately transcendent quality.”
Annie George has been an important part of Edinburgh’s theatre scene for a while now – behind the scenes directing the likes of Mara Menzies and working with Magnetic North, as well as performing her own shows, notably The Bridge and Home is Not the Place – but these two performances on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 will be her first appearance at the Traverse.
personal tribute
Lost at Sea, which is at the King’s from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22, is inspired by the loss of playwright Morna Young’s fisherman father and is a personal tribute to the fishing communities of Scotland.
With direction by Ian Brown, who has returned to Scotland for the first time since leaving the Traverse 20 years ago, specifically to direct the play, it boasts a stellar cast including Tam Dean Burn, Jennifer Black, Helen McAlpine, Ali Craig, Andy Clark, Kim Gerard and Gerry Mulgrew.
Not to forget four nominations in the recently announced Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2019 – for best director, ensemble, design and music.
Zinnie Harris’s work has simply grown and grown from her first plays in the 1990s, writing for community performances – Not For The Fanfare at the Netherbow in 1997 was one of hers – up to the recent smash hit adaptation of The Oresteia, This Restless House, and of course Rhinoceros.
Small Wonders
With the quality of her writing, it is easy to forget that Harris trained as a director. Her skill on that regard was demonstrated with her brilliant production of A Number. So it is great news that she is directing her own Script with The Duchess [of Malfi] which opens on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, parents should not forget the opening of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival at the National Museum of Scotland on Saturday 25. There will be a wealth of strange, quirky and interesting pop-up performances. Tickets sell out very fast for the festival itself, but at the time of writing there were still a handful left for Small Wonders. Go, if you can.
Elsewhere, well, plenty of dance, a spot of Opera (if you can get a ticket) at the Usher Hall, and real treat in Johnny McKnight’s adaptation of Dario Fo at the Brunton with Low Pay? Don’t Pay!.
Listings Mon 20 – Sun 26 May 2019
Click on the name of the show to go to its ticketing site.
Assembly Roxy
Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU. Phone booking: 0131 623 3030.
Valentina’s Galaxy
Sat 25 May – Sat 1 June 2019
Sats: 11.30am & 2pm; Tue – Fri: 10am & 1.30pm.
Part of Ed Int Children’s Theatre Fest.
Inspired by women in space including Valentina Tereshkova (first woman in space) and Mae Jemison (first African American woman in space), Valentina’s Galaxy is a fascinating and moving experience and a real visual treat. Book here.
The Brunton
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Low Pay? Don’t Pay!
Sat 25 May 2019
7.30pm.
Johnny McKnight revives Dario Fo’s classic satire, moving the action to Glasgow and examining where we are now in Scotland. One group of women lose patience with low pay and rising prices – and take direct action. Book here.
Festival Theatre
13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music
Thurs 23 May 2019
Evening: 7pm
The original Sing-a-Long-a is back with a screening of the Julie Andrews film musical in glorious, full-screen Technicolor – with subtitles so that everyone can sing along, a host and free interactive props bag. Book here.
An Audience With…
Sat 25 May 2019
2-5pm.
Janice Parker Projects in collaboration with Capital Theatres bring an entertaining and rare encounter with dancers from the Variety era. Doreen Leighton-Ward (87), Marie Duthie (96), June Don Parker (92) and Betty Clarkson (98) will ignite your imaginations and regale you with stories, photos and memorabilia from their fascinating and prolific careers. Book here.
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
Saturday 25/Sunday 26 May 2019
11am & 2pm.
Join our intrepid family of adventurers and their musical dog on a quest to find a bear; as they wade through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the thick oozy, squelchy mud! Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes, plenty of adventure and a few surprises along the way in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score. Book here.
King’s Theatre
2 Leven Street EH3 9LQ. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000.
Lost At Sea
Mon 20 – Wed 22 May 2019
Evenings: 7.30pm.
A storm is brewing in a small fishing village. A young woman returns home, searching for answers about her father’s death. But as she begins to weave together the strands of her past, a mysterious force unravels family secrets. Inspired by the loss of playwright Morna Young’s fisherman father, Lost at Sea is a personal tribute to the fishing communities of Scotland. Book here.
Rambert2
Fri 24 & Sat 25 May 2019
Evenings: 7.30pm; Matinees Wed & Sat: 2.30pm.
A new group of the world’s best young dancers, coming together to showcase just how intense, exhilarating and fierce contemporary dance can be. They perform two works that launched the international careers of their choreographers: E2 7SD by Rafael Bonachela and Killer Pig by Sharon Eyal as well as a new creation by Benoit Swan Pouffer. Book here.
Lyceum Theatre
Grindlay Street EH3 9AX. Phone booking: 0131 248 4848.
The Duchess [of Malfi]
17 May – 8 June 2019
(Previews: Fri 17, Sat 18 & Mon 20: 7.30pm)
Daily Tue – Sat: 7.30pm; Matinees Wed, Sat: 2pm.
Webster’s original is the most thrilling and chilling of the Jacobean revenge tragedies – an exploration of male rage and female resistance as two brothers try and control their sister, block her marriage and repress her agency with fatal results. These themes of patriarchy versus female empowerment convinced Zinnie Harris that the play is ripe for an adaptation which chimes with our contemporary concerns surrounding the abuse of male power. Book here.
Escaped Alone
Sunday 26 May 2019
2pm, followed by TalkShow at 4pm.
A script in hand reading of Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill. Three old friends and a neighbour. A summer of afternoons in the backyard. Tea and catastrophe.
Directed by Finn den Hertog with a cast including Maureen Beattie, Ann Louise Ross, Anne Kidd and Angela Wynter.
Part of the Luminate Festival. Book here.
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, EH1 1JF
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival Family Day
Saturday 25 May 2019
All day: 10am- 4.30pm.
The big day for fans of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, when it takes over the Museum with a swathe of great drop-in and walk-around performances.
Playhouse
18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Michael McIntyre: Big World Tour Continued – Warm Up Show
Wed 22 – Thurs 23 May 2019
Evening: 8pm
Michael McIntyre is continuing his Big World Tour this spring and is warming up with shows around the UK. (Please note that this show contains material from his 2018 Big World Tour show) Book here.
The Studio at Festival Theatre
22 Potterrow, EH8 9BL. Phone booking: 0131 529 6000
Little Top
Tue 21 – Wed 22 May 2019
10.30am & 1pm
Starcatchers and SUPERFAN’s first circus experience for babies aged 0-18 months and their adults.
At a time in their development when young children are discovering their own physicality, and the pleasures and perils of gravity, Little Top invites babies to experience all the fun of the circus with a gently thrilling performance which includes spectacular balances, astonishing tumbles and inventive juggling. Book here.
Tidy Up
Thursday 23 May 2019
11am & 1.30pm
When it starts out ship-shape, there’s only one way for it to go… this dance-theatre show gets all messed up! As we wriggle our way through the muddle of life we often discover things anew. So why can’t tidiness be exciting for children or chaos joyful for adults? Who said there’s a ‘right way’ anyway? Book here.
Traverse Theatre
10 Cambridge Street, EH1 2ED. Phone booking: 0131 228 1404.
Double bill: RITUALIA & The Circle
Fri 24 – Sat 25 May 2019
Evening: 7.30pm (Trav 1)
An exhilarating new double bill from Scottish Dance Theatre: RITUALIA by Colette Sadler and a new commission, The Circle, by world renowned Emanuel Gat, promise an evening of exquisite, cutting-edge dance. Book here.
Twa
Fri 24 – Sat 25 May 2019
Evening: 8pm (Trav 2).
In a powerful blend of theatrical storytelling, animation and live performance drawing, award-winning writer Annie George and visual artist Flore Gardner unwind contrasting stories about women who are silenced. Book here.
Usher Hall
Lothian Road, EH1 2EA. Phone booking: 0131 228 1155
Aida
Tuesday 21 May 2019
Evening: 7.30pm
New concert staging of Verdi’s opera about the woman who is forced to choose between betraying her country and betraying her heart. Opera North reunite the 2017 Turandot creative team with conductor Sir Richard Armstrong, director Annabel Arden and set and costume designer Joanna Parker. Book here.
The Warehouse
Elizafield, Unit 7, Edinburgh , EH6 5PY
Small Wonders
Tue 14 May – Sun 2 June 2019
Various times – Four times daily, Tue – Sun.
Part of Ed Int Children’s Fest.
See review: ★★★★★ Magic.
Inside Nanny Lacey’s flat are her collection of miniatures. These homemade creations capture the adventures she’s shared with her daughter Bella over the years. Like 3D photographs, they’re treasured moments of time and each one tells a different story. In Punchdrunk’s magical, immersive and interactive experience, Bella invites you to join Nanny Lacey in her flat and explore the tiny worlds she has created. Part of EICF. Book here.
ENDS
