Time & Again Theatre Company Uncategorized

Edinburgh Fringe 2022 – Accessible Performances

Our 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Show, Earwig, has a deaf focus – both in the story we’re telling and the way we’re telling it, with captioning and snippets of BSL worked into the fabric of the play. As such, we were disappointed to find that the Fringe hadn’t included our fully BSL interpreted performances on 11th-13th August in our listing on either the website or programme. With deaf representation at the forefront of our show, how could we be sure that the audience we wanted to reach could find us without our accessible performances detailed?

We soon found this problem wasn’t exclusive to Time & Again, as we engaged with the #edfringe community of artists and performers on Twitter whose accessible performance details had also been omitted by the Fringe. This simply isn’t good enough – the arts are for everyone, and there should be a reliable source of information for people to find performances that they can access.

We decided to compile a list of shows with accessible performances to try and fill this gap. We had a fantastic response from performers, companies and interpreters when we asked for them to share details of their accessible performances. We recognise that our reach can only go so far, so if you’re a performer reading this list and your accessible performances aren’t listed please tweet us at @timeandagaintc with the details and we will happily add your show!

  • Able(ish) – Greenside @ Infirmary Street, Forest Theatre – 11:20 on Friday 19th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • An Audience with Milly-Liu – Pleasance Courtyard, The Attic – 23:00 on 17th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Angela Barnes: Hot Mess – Pleasance Courtyard, Cabaret Bar – 19:00 on 17th & 23rd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Birthday Girl – theSpace on the Mile, Space 1 – 10:15 on 24th (Relaxed & Captioned) & 25th August (Captioned)
  • Block’d Off – Pleasance Courtyard, Upstairs – 15:10 on 17th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Bloody Mary: Live! – Pleasance at EICC, Lammermuir Theatre – 22:00 on 16th & 17th August 2022 (Audio Described)
  • Bogeyman – Pleasance Dome, QueenDome – 15:55 on 20th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Breathless – Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Two – 15:00 on 26th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Brown Boys Swim – Pleasance Dome, JackDome – 14:30 on 22nd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Cerys Bradley: Sportsperson – Gilded Balloon Teviot, Wee Room – 16:40 on 14th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Charlie Russell Aims to Please – Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Below – 15:15 on 18th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Civilisation – ZOO Southside, Main House – 10:10 on 23rd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Closure – Pleasance Courtyard, Baby Grand – 15:10 on 25th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Craig Hill: I Always Knew I Had it in Me! - Just The Tonic Nucleus, Just The Tonic's Atom Room - 19:15 on 13th & 18th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Earwig - Assembly Rooms, Front Room - 14:10 on 11-13th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Edinburgh Deaf Festival Presents Perspectives with Gavin Lilley - Deaf Action, Blackwood Bar - 20:45 on 13th August 2022 (Captioned & BSL Interpreted) & Summerhall, Main Hall - 21:00 on 14th August 2022 (Captioned & BSL Interpreted)
  • Exposure - Summerhall @ Lyra Artspace - 18:30 on 25th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Fast Fringe - Pleasance Dome, AceDome - 18:50 on 16th & 24th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Frankie Boyle: Lap of Shame - Assembly Rooms, Music Hall - 18:15 on 8th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Freddie Hayes: Potatohead - Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Below - 14:00 on 22nd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Fritz and Matlock - Pleasance Courtyard, The Attic - 14:05 on 14th, 21st & 27th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Game Night - Greenside @ Infirmary Street, Forest Theatre - 22:00 on 25th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Godot is a Woman - Pleasance Dome, QueenDome - 12:50 on 17th & 24th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Head Girl - theSpace on the Mile, Space 2 - 10:55 on 17th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • He's Dead - Summerhall, Main Hall - 17:45 on 26th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Home Is Not The Place - Summerhall,Tech Cube 0 - 19:20 on 5,7,9,17,19,13,25,27th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • I Was Naked, Smelling of Rain - ZOO Playground, Playground 1 - 14:00 on 23rd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Jimeoin: The Craic! - Just The Tonic Nucleus, Just The Tonic's Atom Room - 20:40 on 20th & 25th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Katie Pritchard: Disco Ball - Pleasance Courtyard, The Cellar - 18:05 on 3-14, 16-29th August 2022 (Audio Described)
  • Look at Me Don't Look at Me - Pleasance Dome, KingDome - 15:00 on 25th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Look, No Hands - Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre - 16:30 on 17th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Look, No Hands - Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre - 16:30 on 24th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Lost Voice Guy: Cerebral LOLsy - Gilded Balloon at the Museum, Auditorium - 18:30 on 27th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Man Shed - Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker One - 14:15 on 19th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle - Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Beyond - 21:30 on 18th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Mischief Movie Night - Pleasance at EICC, Pentland Theatre - 18:30 on 18th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Miss Lindsay's Secret - Scottish Storytelling Centre, Netherbow Theatre at Fringe - 13:15 on 22nd August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Nina Conti: The Dating Show - Pleasance Courtyard, The Grand - 18:00 on 19th & 26th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Opal Fruits - Pleasance Courtyard, Beneath - 14:45 on 5-28th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Peaceophobia - Summerhall @ Q Park - OMNI, Greenside Row - 21:00 on 26th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Period Dramas - Pleasance Courtyard, The Cellar - 14:10 on 16th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Police Cops: The Musical - Assembly George Square Studios, Studio One - 19:00 on 19th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Rajesh and Naresh - Summerhall, Old Lab - 14:45 on 4th August 2022 (Relaxed)
  • Rajesh and Naresh - Summerhall, Old Lab - 14:45 on 8th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Rajesh and Naresh - Summerhall, Old Lab - 14:45 on 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Rapsody - Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Above - 17:20 on 22nd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Red Alert – Cancer! - ZOO Playground, Playground 1 - 11:30 on 10th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Sindhu Vee: Alphabet - Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Beyond - 18:30 on 21st & 27th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • SHEWOLVES - Pleasance Courtyard, Baby Grand - 12:45 on 25th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Showstopper! The Improvised Musical - Pleasance Courtyard, The Grand - 21:30 on 23rd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Spill Your Drink: A Deaf Cabaret - Deaf Action, Blackwood Bar - 19:00 on 13th & 14th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Sticky Door - Pleasance Dome, AceDome - 16:00 on 24th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Svengali - Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Two - 13:45 on 26th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Sweet FA - Tynecastle Park - 19:45 on 10th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Take it Away, Cheryl - Greenside @ Infirmary Street , Mint Studio - 17:20 on 11th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Tales of Vomit, Trash, and Broken Glass - theSpace on the Mile, Space 3 - 15:05 on 21st August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • The Comedy Reserve - Pleasance Dome, JackDome - 21:40 on 16th August (Captioned)
  • The Dan Daw Show - Dance Base, Studio 1 - 20:30 on 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • The Dan Daw Show - Dance Base, Studio 1 - 20:30 on 25th August 2022 (Audio Described & Captioned)
  • The Dan Daw Show - Dance Base, Studio 1 - 20:30 on 26th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted & Captioned)
  • The Grandmothers Grimm - Greenside @ Riddles Court, Thistle Theatre - 18:25 on 23rd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • The Greatest Hits of Lily and John - Pleasance Courtyard, Upstairs - 16:30 on 21st August 2022 (Captioned)
  • The Man Who Planted Trees - Scottish Storytelling Centre, Netherbow Theatre at Fringe - 13:15 on 27th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • The Not So Ugly Duckling: A Play For Grownups - Scottish Storytelling Centre, Netherbow Theatre at Fringe - 16:45 on 19th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • The Trial - Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Beyond - 15:00 on 13th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • The Village and The Road - Scottish Storytelling Centre, Netherbow Theatre at Fringe - 15:00 on 23rd & 24th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
  • Tinted - Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, Nip - 12:20 on 3rd-14th, 16th-21st, 23rd-28th August 2022 (Captioned & Audio Described)
  • Trash Salad - Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Below - 22:55 on 22nd August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Twa - Summerhall, Tech Cube 0 - 19:20 on 6,8,14,16,18,20,24,26,28th August 2022 (Captioned)
  • Ultimatum - Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Three - 12:50 on 17th August 2022 (BSL Interpreted)
Time & Again Theatre Company Casting Call

OPEN CASTING CALL – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

PlEASE NOTE – This opportunity is now closed.

Time & Again are seeking new cast members to join us in an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this August at The Carrs park in Wilmslow!

Audition Date – Saturday 10th July, 1pm – 4pm
Dress Rehearsal – Thursday 19th August
Show Dates – Friday 20th, Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd August

As a historical company, a brilliant vintage setting is always a must and our Dream will be set in the 1980s. Think striking miners, new romantics, and a big royal wedding!

We are looking for cast members with previous acting experience, particularly those with an interest in watching and performing Shakespeare! As ever, the ability to drink endless of cups of tea and snack on biscuits is also preferable!

Please note, this project will be operating on a profit share basis.

The Cast

The parts will be doubled as follows:

THESEUS, Duke of Athens and OBERON, King of the Fairies
HIPPOLYTA, Queen of the Amazons and TITANIA, Queen of the Fairies
EGEUS, parent to Hermia and PEASEBLOSSOM, the fairy
HERMIA, in love with Lysander
LYSANDER, loved by Hermia
DEMETRIUS, suitor of Hermia
HELENA, in love with Demetirus
PHILOSTRATE, master of the revels and PUCK

QUINCE, a carpenter
Nick BOTTOM, a weaver
Francis FLUTE, a bellows-mender
Tom SNOUT, a tinker
SNUG, a joiner

COBWEB, the fairy and a member of the PRESS
MUSTARDSEED, the fairy and a member of the PRESS

All parts are open to actors of any gender identity.

Who are Time & Again?

Time & Again Theatre Company are based in Manchester and formed in the summer of 2017 as a new young company wishing to explore all things historical in ways that are fresh and relevant for today.

We’re particularly interested in exploring the lives of women who pushed boundaries, either by  working in typically male-dominated industries, engaging in political or revolutionary ideas, or behaving in a way that wasn’t deemed acceptable by society at the time. 

What have you worked on?

Time & Again’s first two shows, GREYHOUNDS and CLOUDS, have both had successful runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Greater Manchester Fringe, rural touring runs, and off West End dates. CLOUDS, won the Oldham Coliseum Pick of the Fringe Award in August 2019, as well as being nominated for most innovative use of space. It also won an Undrowning Scholarship for using theatre to promote women in STEM, particularly the lack of women in the aviation industry.  

We regularly collaborate with accredited museums and heritage sites, blending theatre with living history and live installation. 

On Armed Forces Day 2019 we partnered with RAF Museum Cosford, who commissioned us to  perform GREYHOUNDS in Cosford’s Cold War Hangar. We also performed GREYHOUNDS at the Severn Valley Steam Railway (supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund). In July 2019 we collaborated with the Pankhurst Centre in Manchester to perform CLOUDS, our feminist-fuelled tale of Edwardian aviation. In April 2020, during the UK’s first national lockdown, we collaborated with Yorkshire Air Museum to turn GREYHOUNDS into an audio drama. This was broadcast online in weekly instalments, as well as via Angel Radio.


To Apply

Please email a headshot, CV, and short cover letter explaining why you would like to take part in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and wish part/s you would like to read for to itslauracrow@gmail.com

All ages, genders and ethnicities are encouraged to apply. We particularly welcome applications from those currently under-represented within the UK arts sector, including those of Black, Asian or other Global Majority ethnicity, those who have faced socio-economic barriers, those who identify as LGBTQI+, and those who are D/deaf and disabled or neurodiverse.



Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Diary

Letters from the Home Front – Edinburgh Diary Day 12

Sunday 12th August 2018

It was here. Our day off had arrived. And boy was I glad not to be flyering on this wet and gloomy Sunday. Even the usually wildly vocal seagulls had decided to have a lie in and avoid the vicious downpour.

Fiona headed out first for a day of bookish fun. First stop for her was a much-longed for lounge in a coffee shop with her poor slightly neglected novel. A few chapters down, she headed to Lighthouse Books (Edinburgh’s radical bookshop). She perused the tomes on offer with reckless abandon, finally deciding upon an anthology of short stories about political protests.

After lunch with a fellow-Fringing friend, she caught The Red Shoes by Young Pleasance. The show is based upon a Hans Christian Andersen and is brought to life through song and dance. The Red Shoes was full of gorgeous costumes, exciting dance and innovative lighting.

Meanwhile, director Jac and techie Paul pootled on down to Stockbridge market to soak up the hipster vibes (and the torrential rain). They described the vibe as ‘very Chorlton’ for all you Manchester folks in the know. They then spent the afternoon with family (as Paul hails from right here in the land of haggis), celebrating a birthday and stuffing themselves with what I’m told was truly delightful trifle.

Last but certainly not least, Laura, Tim and I had a very exciting day at the ZOO! We set the tone on the way there by cobbling together a makeshift playlist of animal themed songs from what we already had downloaded on Spotify (Octopus’ Garden, Shakira’s She Wolf and I am the Walrus all featured). The zoo was everything I dreamed of and more despite the downpour. Highlights for me were the proud penguin parade, the pygmy hippos and the panda gorging himself on bamboo.

We were all completely tuckered out but the day wasn’t over yet as we had tickets for three shows in quick succession in the evening. We refuelled with a quick and delicious supper of minestrone soup and crackers. Pea-hater Tim left all of his peas in the bowl which isn’t very inkeeping with the wartime spirit. Wasting rations, we shan’t be having any of that!

First show of the evening was Bugle Boys at Assembly Hall. This drag tribute to our beloved Andrews Sisters was full of sass, songs and sequins. It was jolly good fun and the Bugle Boys’ harmonies were so on point.

Next up, we hot-footed it to The Stand to finally catch a bit of the stand-up that Edinburgh Fringe is so renowned for. We took in Alun Cochrun’s show. Depressingly relatable was his observation about having to turn up the TV when the crisps you’re munching on are too loud. A crisis I face on an almost daily basis.

Our final show of the night was late-night Showstopper! The talented cast come up with a musical on the fly based on audience suggestions. We were treated to a Baywatch musical in the style of Hamilton, Mamma Mia, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Book of Mormon. It’s incredible to see the musicians pick up on the melodies the cast throw out and the ever-perfect harmonies. Seriously, don’t miss these guys if you’re at the Fringe. I could go see it every day!

For a day off, we really did jam-pack it full of activities, but you’ve got to cease those opportunities when at the Fringe!

Yours,

Catherine

(Greyhounds’ Ruby Winters)

Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Diary

Letters from the Home Front – Edinburgh Diary Day 11

Saturday 11th August 2018

Amazingly, given the fact that half the Greyhounds stayed up partying and singing Hey Mr Miller in the local takeaway until the small hours the night before, we actually managed to get out of bed on Saturday morning and have a somewhat productive day. I even met a friend for some much needed coffee and managed to have a full conversation with her like a functioning human being in what was a truly Oscar worthy performance. In other award worthy performances, apparently Catherine did a stunning rendition of Cool and the Gang’s ‘Celebrate’ in the shower, but sadly I was either out or dead to the world so missed it. Here’s hoping that there will be a reprise!

Most of the rest of our day was pretty much par for the course – flyering, flyering, eating, and more flyering. We managed to get another slot on the stage after a minor drama in which it appeared that a fire engine was going to attempt to drive up the Royal Mile – you know, that completely deserted and never at all busy road that doesn’t have 3 street stages on it. Once the stage had been moved a whole foot to the right (presumably to try and accommodate this fire engine that must have been lost), we treated the Mile to some jolly 40s tunes whilst Jac did a sterling job of rallying the crowds and throwing a few era-appropriate shapes with Tim and some eager spectators.

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We didn’t have long to revel in the swing-dance spirit, as Jac, Paul, Laura and Tim headed off to catch a performance of the Dad’s Army Radio Show, accompanied by a spot of afternoon tea. Laura was very cynical going in as she’s a lifelong fan of the TV show. However, they perfectly captured the essence of the show from the incidental music used during the scene changes to the delivery of over 15 different characters between two actors (including the famous seven). David Benson’s Sergeant Wilson and Jack Lane’s Private Pike were absolutely spot on. The team were somewhat perturbed by the lack of cake but the scones were absolutely delightful.

cakes

Anthony’s last Edinburgh Fringe performance with us went down a treat with our lovely audience. We’re very grateful that he was able to step in and do such a cracking job with the part, even after we nearly broke him the night before by making him come to the Hive (til 5!) with us.

A few well-earned drinks in the bar later, and it was home time for some of us early birds (me, who’d been a little bit too much of a night owl the night before…). However, the Space launch party beckoned for those feeling rather more lively amongst us. Space lanyards proudly on display, the rest of team Greyhounds went to dance the night away to the marvellous live band and celebrated what has so far been a truly spiffing Fringe experience.

Until next time,

Fiona

(Nancy Wilde – Greyhounds)

 

Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Reviews

Reviews from the Home Front – Dulce Et Decorum Est: The Unknown Soldiers

Dulce Et Decorum Est: The Unknown Soldiers by Polymorph Theatre was a captivating two-person historical drama performed at theSpace Triplex. The year is 1941, two strangers are united as they take shelter from an air raid. Tommy is a World War One veteran; haunted by his past as he saw the rest of his regiment wiped out in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Ellen, a young American woman, is awaiting word of her fiancé who has gone to war. They confide in each other in this confined space, sharing their stories and slowly realising that they may have more of a connection than they thought.

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The premise of the play piqued our interest, rocketing the show to the top of our illustrious ‘shows to see’ board before we even realised we were next-door neighbours as well as WW2-show-buddies! The interweaving stories of the two World Wars is something we’ve not seen explored in any other play here at Edinburgh Fringe. It was a really interesting to hear the two experiences compared and contrasted and the characters’ perspectives on the other’s experiences.

Emilie Maybank (Ellen) did a wonderful job of capturing and portraying the feeling of being the one left behind and the agony of not knowing the fate of a loved one. Meanwhile, Jan van der Black gave a powerful and emotional performance as Tommy. Particularly poignant was his tale of going over the top with his pals at the Somme. You could truly believe that he had been there and seen the horrors of war.

The theatre space lent itself well to the setting of a make-shift shelter, with its low ceiling and intimate seating. The set design was simple yet effective, with period appropriate props pulled out of an up-turned vintage tea chest (almost identical to the one tucked away in our Greyhounds set!).

I’d be really interested in seeing more work from Polymorph Theatre in the future as Dulce Et Decorum Est: The Unknown Soldiers was such an evocative piece of historical theatre with beautiful detail. Jolly good show chaps!

Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Diary

Letters from the Home Front – Edinburgh Diary Day 10

Friday 10th August 2018

Friday dawned bright and clear. Possibly. We’ve been here for so long that we’ve lost all track of the concept of time and each day goes in a second, but also takes an eternity, and we can’t remember one from the next. However, I do remember this…

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We split off into two contingents: Jac, Paul, Fiona and Catherine went to watch Italia Conti’s The Dark Philosopher, who were performing at a fellow space venue, whilst Tim and I headed into town to sort out some admin. As the others were enjoying the play, we visited the printers to collect more posters and pull quotes. Whilst we waited we couldn’t resist popping up the road to our favourite shortbread shop to have a cheeky biscuit to keep us going (hazelnut and dark chocolate – yes please).

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We reconvened for lunch – big bowls of pasta and plates of pizza at Bella Italia, conveniently located right outside our venue. It was our final meal with Jacob (for the time being anyway) as he was leaving us to go gallivanting back to Crewe (in aid of the war effort of course). How would we cope? Who knows? Probably not very well.

We made our way to Princes Street to flyer outside the Virgin Money Half-Price Hut. 10 half price tickets were up for grabs! It was rather splendid to see our name in lights, up on the big screen. Definitely check out the Hut each day as it’s a great place to nab discount tickets to some really great shows (and I don’t just mean ours here, I’m being genuine. Really I am.) Whilst flyering, our eyes were drawn to the splendid market stalls that surrounded the National Gallery. Some marvellous insect brooches and Fringe inspired tote bags were particularly tempting.

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Afterwards we trooped back to the Royal Mile and did a spot of singing. The crowds seem to be drawn to the dulcet tones of Glenn Miller and the Andrew Sisters like a flock of seagulls to our bedroom window at 4am. They love it.

Then something very exciting happened. A new member of the company arrived in the land of Bagpipes; Anthony had arrived to take over the role of Will. He’d be filling in for the next two shows and we were delighted. To herald his grand arrival the heavens opened. Thank you weather. Love you.

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He swung by the apartment to catch up on some alterations we’ve made to the show and to collect his costume. Before he knew it, he was stood in a multi-storey car park space warming up like a professional. And then it was time for the show! Anthony hadn’t run through the show for over two weeks and yet he was word perfect and did us all proud.

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To celebrate, we decided to head to a Victorian séance at midnight. It was part of the Free Fringe. We collected Fiona from the Pleasance on the way. She’d gone for a few drinks with her friends and happened to see Dara O’Brien but was too shy to make contact. Better luck next time, Fiona.

The séance was an interesting hour where we were promised that the spirits would be crossing the veil tonight. They didn’t. But Catherine did have to go to the front and check that the rope was legitimate. To settle our nerves, we indulged in a little bottle of wine or two afterwards. Purely medicinal.

Night, night,
Laura (Katherine Winters)

Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Reviews

Reviews from the Home Front – The House of Edgar

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A bleak Thursday night (it was drizzling a bit) nearing midnight (10pm) and we waited outside an old church (lit with bright green lights and manned by some friendly Fringe staff, but shhh) to see Argosy Arts Theatre’s The House of Edgar.
The atmopshere was tense and palpable, sort of, but we were most definitely ready to feast our eyes on this ‘gothic masterpiece’. The play promised to blend musical theatre with gothic horror to tell the story of Edgar Allan Poe, after his death, as a rival tries to seize his estate, and it certainly delivered.

The music was provided by a pianist and violinist who were simply brilliant. They kept time perfectly, instantly evoking an eerie atmosphere with their sliding chromatics and discordant melodies. As the cast began to sing the first number, we knew we were in for a treat. It was both snappy and smart, traits which continued throughout the performance, the transition from each number to the next seamless.

I’ve read some of Poe’s poetry and short stories (though after this I’m definitely keen to read more) and it was particularly powerful to see his famous words brought to life by song. The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven were especially captivating, particularly the brutal physicality brought to the former. But for me, the stand out performance of the night was Rufus Griwold (Eoin McAndrew). Right from the opening, he captured the audience’s attention and delivered a multi-layed performance as Poe’s former friend and rival.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone – definitely one of the best shows of the Fringe! We demand a soundtrack!

Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Reviews

Reviews from the Home Front – Dear Lucy

With 2018 marking the centenary of the end of the First World War, it is no surprise that this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has many shows based on the Great War. Dear Lucy… by Flying High is one such show. Part of their Heritage Lottery funded project, ‘Then & Now: Rebuilding lives after the Great War’, Dear Lucy… focuses not on the conflict itself but rather its aftermath as the Lucy of the title has to pick up the pieces of her life which is shattered by the news that both her brother and fiancé were killed in action.

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The stage was adorned with poppies, old photographs, and letters to Lucy which were read aloud, transporting us back to 1918. This set a very poignant and sentimental tone which remained throughout the play, which featured contemporary dance, music and scenes of family life after the war, which were beautifully acted. I liked how female-focused this production was, as they explored women’s roles following the end of the war and female friendship. The family relationships portrayed – particularly between the sisters – felt real and well observed. All the actors did well with the multi-roling that this play required, creating characters that were distinct and believable.

My favourite storytelling device used by Dear Lucy… however was the recorded interviews. The play is very much a family affair as it is based on a true story, with Lucy being played by the real Lucy’s great granddaughter, and interspersed between the scenes were clips of recorded conversations with Lucy’s grandchildren. I love hearing people’s family stories, and the inclusion of these memories were heartwarming and made Lucy seem that much more real to the audience. It is clear that she was adored by her family, and the show was lovely tribute to her.

Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Diary

Letters from the Home Front -Edinburgh Diary Day 9

Thursday 9th August 2018

We had a busy schedule planned with lots of shows to see. The day started with us hot-footing it down to theSpace on the Mile to try and grab some last minute tickets for Noel Coward’s Still Life. However, it was all sold out! It wasn’t a wasted trip into town though, as we decided to head into the heaving crowds up on and around the mile and hand some flyers out before our next show of the day.

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Next up was Dulce Et Decorum Est: The Unknown Soldiers at theSpace at Triplex. It transpires that the company are staying right next door to us so we thought it jolly good form to go catch our neighbours’ show, especially as it’s also set in World War II! There were some lovely parallels between The Unknown Soldiers and Greyhounds, right down to the vintage tea-chest that sits proudly in the set of both shows.

Coming out of the show, Fiona’s grumbling stomach reminded us that we’d been so enthralled in the day’s activities that we’d forgotten to factor in time for lunch. Laura and Tim dashed off to grab some pasta whilst Fiona, Jacob and I rushed to theSpace on Niddry Street for Dear Lucy. We enjoyed the WWI show but I do hope the performers weren’t put off by our vocal tummies desperate to make themselves known. When back out on the street, Jacob, Fiona and I were on the prowl for some fast and filling food. The golden arches were looming. We accepted our fate and joined Ronald in a triumphant feast of burgers and fries. Meanwhile, Laura and Tim found director Jac and techie Paul and went to a performance of Dick Barton: The Tango of Terror by the Television Workshop Salford. Always great to support a fellow Greater Manchester production!

We reconvened on the Royal Mile, where Laura whipped out her ukulele and we did some impromptu close harmony singing for those passing by. Pretending to be The Andrews Sisters is definitely one of my favourite pass-times. It’s a shame we’ve only got four songs down at the moment!

Then it was time for another performance of Greyhounds. We seem to be racing through this run of shows at an alarming rate, it seems only yesterday we had those first night jitters. Another appreciative audience greeted us which was so lovely. We’re ever so grateful for the reception we’re receiving at the Fringe!

One of the great things about the Fringe is being able to go see a plethora of shows at almost any hour of the day. Tonight was the turn of The House of Edgar – a deliciously dark musical about Edgar Alan Poe. Post-performance, we trooped up to Greenside @ Nicholson Square which was bathed in green light. Here’s a snap of Jacob and Fiona having an absolute whale of a time before it was time to go and take in the show.

best friends

The House of Edgar is an absolute must-see if you’re here at the festival. Such good music and physicality. We were riding high on the spirit of musical theatre and decided that when back at the apartment, we should pop a musical on the TV. We searched various streaming services to seek out a good musical. And there it was. Chicago. Amazingly, it was Tim’s first viewing of it (which makes me even more grateful for him putting up with our exuberant performances of the Chicago numbers on the way up). We sang and danced our way along, apart from Cell Block Tango, where Fiona hushed us all to take in the masterpiece. What a jolly lovely way to spend the hours after the show!

Time & Again Theatre Company Edinburgh Reviews, Uncategorized

Reviews from the Home Front – I, Sniper

I, Sniper tells the true story of soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko, deemed one of the deadliest female snipers in history. Plucked from obscurity as a teenage mother, she joins the red army and fights to take on the traditionally male task. This was an aspect of World War II history none of us knew very informed upon so we were interested to find out more from the Scotland-based student group from Acting Coach Scotland…

isni

The play opens in a powerful fashion, with rows of young women marching in military uniform and responding to the barks of their commander in Russian. This instantly sets the evocative tone of the piece and establishes its context in a very clear way.

The story is told in a candid diary-like style, drawing the audience into her story. This clues us into her thoughts, feelings and emotions throughout her wartime journey, helping to ensure that the character of Pavlichenko is sufficiently humanised. The lead role is passed amongst the predominantly female ensemble cast, with each actor’s portrayal impressively as strong as the next. They use the clever device of pinning a military medal on and tucking their hat into their belt so that the audience is left in no doubt as to who is portraying Pavlichenko at present.

This is a very slick and well-rehearsed production which totally hits the target. Coming out of the production, I felt well-informed about an aspect of history I’d never explored before and like I wanted to research more myself. An impressive feat for the production indeed!