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Fringe 2006 Reviews (32)
Normal
By Anthony Neilson
Schadenfreude Productions
C Chambers Street
*****
One of Neilson's earliest plays, Normal tells the story of the
"Düsseldorf Ripper", Peter Kurten, who was convicted
of nine murders but was suspected of 59 more. Neilson's multi-layered
play looks at Kurten's life through discussions between him and his
defence lawyer with whom he plays mind games, shattering the young man's
complacency.
Beneath the surface of these mind games is an examination of what makes
a psychopathic killer and, deeper still, an exploration of what it means
to be "normal", particularly in the context of the dying days
of the Weimar Republic and the growth of the Nazi party. Typically of
Neilson, it is a deeply disturbing play, forcing us not only to think
but to recognise the demons within us all.
This production is powerfully performed, with the actor playing Kurten
(no programme was supplied, so no name is available) sending a genuine
shiver down the spine as with apparent reasonableness he delights in
manipulating the young lawyer. It's a play and a production which mnakes
you think - and worry.
Peter Lathan
Stars
By Anja Hilling, in a new version by Sarah Colvin
Traverse 3
***
This year, as part of its make-over, the Traverse has a third, studio
space. It seems that this area will be used to experiment and put on
small-scale pieces. Stars is a German play about four University
age people, in this version Scots.
The writer and actors are all pretty fresh out of drama school and
that adds something to Kate Nelson's production.
Four youngsters spend an evening at a pond, overlooked by a wiry tree
in Lucinda Meredith's impressionistic set. There, while considering
the real ones and inventing poetic lines, three of them take "wee
stars", for their hallucinogenic properties.
Suzanne, played by Elaine Catrina Gracie, then climbs and fatally falls
from the tree. This sets up an hour of navel gazing and considering
the meaning of life and love for the other three. Each is devastated
and finds their life changed irretrievably by the loss of their friend.
Jenna and Calum (Lorna Craig and Jordan McCurrach) find their relationship
breaking down despite her pregnancy. In steps Suzanne's boyfriend, Gary
Lamont's Christie, and takes Jenna to bed, adding to the collective
confusion that all three already feel.
The play develops from there and eventually offers the trio (and by
inference even dead Suzanne) closure.
Philip Fisher
Goodness
By Michael Redhill
Traverse 2
***
The latest play from Canadian company Volcano uses an unusual form
to explore a subject that regularly returns to the stage.
The style is almost that of Pirandello, with a man, Gord Rand playing
the playwright Michael Redhill, drifting around in his own play and
sometimes seemingly experimenting with the text.
On one level, he is getting over the loss of his wife to his best friend.
On another, he is on a journey into his family's past. Nine members
of his grandmother's family were killed by the Nazis and he travels
to their town in Poland. Finally, he falls on the tale of a war criminal,
the village doctor accused of participating in genocide but apparently
suffering from Alzheimer's.
The 90-minute play mixes all of these ingredients, with the stories
bleeding into each other at times. Whether this structure enhances the
impact of these stories or obfuscates them might be open to debate.
Philip Fisher
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