Traverse Takes the HUFF
Trav’s Fringe programme includes Three Little Pigs installation
Six new plays from Traverse Fifty writers, the sharp return of award winning Perth Theatre director to Scotland and the next instalment of Stella Quines Canadian trilogy are among the productions from Edinburgh companies on the menu at the Traverse this August.
HUFF: Mum’s Room. © Paul Watt
But it is the return of Shona Reppe and Andy Manley’s family installation piece HUFF, originally produced by Catherine Wheels, which is likely to cause most ripples.
Aimed at over-eight year-olds, groups of three audience members at a time are sent off alone, to traverse a maze of rooms which tells the story of the Three Little Pigs from a completely new perspective.
There will no doubt be further excitement at the news that the whole team behind The List, the five star hit of the 2012 and 2013 fringes, return with Quebec dramatist Jennifer Tremblay’s Carousel.
A poignant play about one woman’s journey of discovery, Stellar Quines’ production stars Maureen Beattie, is directed by Muriel Romanes and has a creative team which once again includes John Byrne on design, composer Philip Pinsky and lighting designer Jeanine Davies.
The Traverse Theatre Company itself has four productions among the 19 shows and events on offer. Two world premiers play in Traverse One and Two, the Traverse Breakfast Plays is back, with six script-in-hand performances of shows by Trav 50 writers and the verbatim piece Bloody Trams returns, with added interviews now the Trams are running.
In Trav One, Rachel O’Riordan returns to Scotland to direct Unfaithful, by Owen McCafferty. O’Riordan caused strong waves for her direction during her time as artistic director at Perth Theatre up until being headhunted by Sherman Cymru in December.
Staring Ameria Darwish, Cara Kelly, Owen Whitelaw and Benny Young, Unfaithful is: “a stark and searing glimpse into the reality of relationships following two couples as they struggle to comprehend their roles as lovers, partners and individuals.”
Spoiling Brochure Image. Photo © Peter Dibdin
The second world premiere, Spoiling, is directed by Traverse artistic director Orla O’Loughlin and stars Gabriel Quigley. Heartfelt political satire from emerging playwright and former Trav 50 writer John McCann, it imagines a newly independent Scotland with the Foreign Minister Designate preparing to deliver a keynote speech.
Following its two-night sell-out in March, rapid response verbatim piece Bloody Trams returns for six late night shows (5-10 Aug). The original piece was created over three days and this version will be as immediate according to director Joe Douglas.
Douglas said: “The Edinburgh Tram works have hugely affected Edinburgh as a city, its people and its visitors, and they continue to do so. Incorporating the stories of locals with those of regular festival goers from outside the city will add a new angle to the ongoing experiences of the Edinburgh Trams.
“What is really exciting is that the piece very much depends on what people say! It’s a personal response in the truest sense. I’m incredibly excited to have the chance to revisit the material and create an updated version for the late-night Traverse festival audience.”
Traverse Breakfast Plays is back on the menu this Festival. Six plays are set to have their world premieres as part of the script-in-hand breakfast slot. Commissioned following the Traverse Fifty project, the six writers are: Tim Primrose (Broth), Sylvia Dow (Blinded by the Light), Martin McCormick (The Day the Pope Emptied Croy), Alison Carr (Fat Alice), Molly Innes (Mother Ease) and Lachlan Philpott (Walter)
The Traverse’s fringe starts with previews from 27 July. Productions open on 1 August and the Traverse fringe finishes on Sunday 24 August 2014.
Full listings will be on the Traverse website from Wednesday 4 June 2014: www.traverse.co.uk
ENDS
