Author: Hugh Simpson
Wuthering Heights
★★★☆☆ Overstretched
Emma Rice’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights for Wise Children with the UK National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal is full of energy and ideas. Indeed, too full for its own good at times.
Cluedo
★★★☆☆ Absurd
The touring Cluedo at the King’s is billed as a ‘brand new play’ and ‘an exciting comedy thriller’. It is certainly possible to quibble with those descriptions as there is little excitement, few thrills and nothing new. However, it does have considerable comic value.
Red Ellen
★★★☆☆ Diffuse
Red Ellen, at the Lyceum, co-produced with the Nottingham Playhouse and Northern Stage, suffers from many of the faults that affect biographical drama, and is far too long for its own good. Nevertheless, it has an abundance of compassion, and an excellent central performance from Bettrys Jones.
Passing Places
★★★★☆ Charming
After too long away, Edinburgh Theatre Arts are back in Stockbridge with their take on Passing Places, exhibiting a vibrant spirit and huge delight.
Keli – an audio drama
★★★★☆ Intense
Martin Green’s audio drama Keli, previewed earlier this month at the Lyceum, has arrived on the theatre’s Soundstage audio platform. While there is much that is odd about its presentation, it is an absolutely engrossing piece.
The Meaning of Zong
★★★★★ Stunning
The Meaning of Zong at the Lyceum for a two week stay is a hugely important, superbly staged piece of theatre.
Magic Goes Wrong
★★★★☆ Cleverly stupid
Magic Goes Wrong is the latest touring offering from Mischief Theatre, the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong and its sequels. It represents a return to their comic roots, together with a considerable sprinkling of glitter.
My Doric Diary
★★★☆☆ Affa fine
A breezy, charming musical tale of family, time travel and the cultural cringe, the final offering in this season of A Play, A Pie and A Pint at the Traverse is My Doric Diary by Aye Tunes! (Katie Barnett and Jamie Siggens).
Orphans
★★★☆☆ Raucous
Full of comic bravado, the National Theatre of Scotland’s long-delayed musical adaptation of Orphans at the King’s is an attractive but unwieldy beast.
1902
★★★☆☆ Homecoming
There is a celebratory air to 1902 at Easter Road. Saltire Sky’s production of Nathan Scott-Dunn’s play has been staged to great acclaim for several years, but has finally arrived at the home of Hibernian FC, who are the focus of much of the action.
