Fringe Review: Gamble

A bittersweet multimedia show about addiction and its effect on families, friends and communities, says Jeremy Welch. ★★★ This play is dealing with a weighty matter, the consequences of gambling. Not the Grand National once a year flutter gamble but the compulsive, corrosive and ultimately destructive result of gambling addiction. It’s difficult to get the…

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Fringe Review: 1984

Jeremy Welch praises Sofia Barvsevich’s near sell-out production as ‘brave, brutal, disturbing and absolutely relevant’. ★★★★★ ‘War is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength.’ George Orwell. Almost everyone knows this dyspotian quote from Big Brother. This production is quite remarkable as in one hour it condenses Orwell’s 1984 novel perfectly. There is almost…

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Fringe Review: Forging the Swords

Adapted from Lu Xun’s novel, Forging the Swords tells the story of a naturally kind-hearted child, who is suddenly entrusted with the monumental task of avenging his father’s murder, says Megan Amato. ★★★★ One way actors can prove their mettle is to carry on in the face of adversity – and that is exactly what…

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LORD OF THE DANCE: Michael Flatley’s iconic production returns to Scotland

MICHAEL Flatley’s Lord of the Dance show is due to return to Bonnie Scotland. The world-renowned Irish dancing production is poised to dazzle audiences in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow throughout the summer. ‘A Lifetime of Standing Ovations’, the 2024 show revival, comes two years after Lord of the Dance’s 25th anniversary. Flatley, the American-born visionary…

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Sally Reid reprises her role as Shirley Valentine: ‘The ideas behind the story still feel very familiar to a lot of people’

It’s been nearly 40 years since Willy Russell wrote Shirley Valentine, his monologue about a middle-aged, working class Liverpool housewife and her transformational solo holiday in Greece. But as Sally Reid prepares to play the iconic role of Shirley for a second time at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, she says there is a lot about the…

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Review: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Edinburgh Playhouse

Fiona Bennett relives the childhood joy of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. ‘This musical marvel will leave you feeling happy and entertained. A lively and polished performance, it’s a must see.’ ★★★★   It’s been a long time since I have seen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the film, and in all honesty, I had forgotten much…

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