Author: Hugh Simpson

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Mama Afrika

Mama Afrika

★★★☆☆   Magnetic performance

Mama Afrika – from Tambai Productions and Arts La’Olam at Assembly Roxy for one night only as part of a tour – is an engaging, informative and tuneful depiction of a giant of African culture.

Mar 15 2024 | By | Reply More
Blue Beard

Blue Beard

★★★★☆ Furiously funny

A riotous combination of anger and dizzying theatrical invention, Blue Beard at the Lyceum until the end of the month, is troubling and messy in exactly the right ways.

Mar 14 2024 | By | Reply More
Sunshine on Leith

Sunshine on Leith

★★★★☆ High quality

The Bohemians Lyric Opera Company’s production of Sunshine on Leith at the Church Hill Theatre is tuneful, colourful, emotionally direct and builds up a considerable head of steam.

Mar 7 2024 | By | Reply More
PPP: Bread & Breakfast

PPP: Bread & Breakfast

★★☆☆☆ Spirited performances

Bread & Breakfast by Kirsty Halliday, this week’s Play, Pie and a Pint at the Traverse, moves away from the usual monologue or two-handed fare into the honourable tradition of misunderstandings, falling over and sticking your foot in a bucket.

Mar 7 2024 | By | Reply More
Peter Pan Goes Wrong

Peter Pan Goes Wrong

★★★★☆ Fizzing

Peter Pan Goes Wrong, at the Playhouse until Saturday, can – much like its title character – apparently never get old. Instead, it remains fresh, funny and great fun on almost every level.

Feb 28 2024 | By | Reply More
PPP: JACK

PPP: JACK

★★★☆☆ Promising

Jack by Liam Moffat, the first offering from A Play, A Pie and a Pint in 2024 at the Traverse, is a charmingly exuberant production.

Feb 27 2024 | By | Reply More
Two Sisters

Two Sisters

★★★☆☆ Wistful

Two Sisters at the Lyceum until the beginning of March, is a touching and well-observed piece that is ultimately too diffuse.

Feb 16 2024 | By | Reply More
Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls

★★★★☆ Exuberant

Visually and aurally impressive, Edinburgh University Footlights’ production of Guys and Dolls at the Pleasance is buoyant and extremely enjoyable.

Feb 15 2024 | By | Reply More
Many Good Men

Many Good Men

★★★★☆ Troubling

Many Good Men, from Civic Digits, Stellar Quines and Stories Untold at Heart of Midlothian’s Tynecastle Stadium, is an urgent and timely production, hard-hitting yet sympathetic.

Feb 9 2024 | By | Reply More
The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew

★★★★☆ Lively

Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company’s production of The Taming of the Shrew at the Pleasance is a witty and intelligent take on an endlessly troubling play.

Feb 6 2024 | By | Reply More