Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
★★★★☆ Timely
theSpace on The Mile (Venue 39): Sat 3 – Fri 23 Aug 2024
Review by Hugh Simpson
Folk’d Up Theatre and New Celts’ Timeless Tales of Gods And Heroes at theSpace on the Mile is a well-observed and subtle examination of human interactions and contemporary politics.
The title of Donna Soto-Morettini’s play suggests one of those anthologies of Scottish traditional stories, aimed largely at tourists, that crop up in the fringe and elsewhere in the Scottish summer. Which is fair enough, because the story concerns a group of enthusiasts who are endeavouring to put on such a show. Constant disagreements threaten to derail things even before a carelessly worded flyer draws the wrath of evangelical Christians.
A scene from Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Pic: Iain Davie
There are excerpts from their work-in-progress throughout the production, but the story is more about the cast’s relationships and concerns, and the process of storytelling itself.
You do not need any experience of the theatrical process to understand what is going on. If you have ever been in any organisation or group where people are doing the same thing for (even very slightly) different motives, you will recognise the tensions.
William Harmar plays Warren, the group’s largely self-appointed, but generally ineffectual, leader. There is a pleasing combination of pomposity and vulnerability to his performance as the character attempts to impose his vision.
well portrayed
Andrew Nimmo, Innis Thorborn and Heather Linn play Niall, Ian and Helen, the other original group members. All three embody their characters very successfully, with Niall’s attempts to use his Irish heritage in the material, Ian’s dedication to his music (and to Helen), and Helen’s frustrations at being in a male-dominated company, all well portrayed.
Sean Lewis is Simon, an academic brought in by Warren to add authenticity, while Ewan Jardine is Evan, a more experienced actor who the others hope will add professionalism. Once again, these are praiseworthy performances, with Jardine’s presence being particularly strong.
A scene from Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Pic: Iain Davie
This is very much an ensemble piece, however, with the characters’ backgrounds, relationships, desires and frustrations being elegantly explored by Soto-Morettini in a very well structured piece. In an hour-long play, six is a large number of characters to get a handle on, but this is done with great economy. The underlying themes (not least of increased tribalism and the possibility of violence it brings) are introduced subtly and intelligently.
Andrew Nimmo also directs with real assurance. The music (arranged by Thorborn and Lewis) is used effectively, with some fine singing from both and pleasingly percussive folk guitar from Thorborn. The technical side of the production is handled by Calvin Hamilton-Pople with aplomb.
The title has a gentle irony to it, but there is also a truth in there, with the suggestion that the themes of the old stories are still relevant – even if the monsters that our heroes have to face are very different now.
Running time: One hour (no interval)
theSpace on the Mile (Space 3), 80 High St, EH1 1TH (Venue 39)
Saturday 3 – Friday 23 August 2024
Odd dates only at 12.15 pm
Details and tickets: Book here.
Facebook: @folkduptheatre
Instagram: @folkduptheatre
X: @FolkdUpTheatre
ENDS
