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The
Edinburgh Fringe
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Fringe 1997 Reviews (1)Daylight Robbery *** CAT. A Theatre Company A one-woman piece, written by John Maley: Maddie Malik (played by Annie George) is an Asian Glasgwegian cornershop-keeper, who's been attacked with a baseball bat and robbed. Talking about her life, she introduces us to a range of characters who are part of it. Her husband died in police custody; she is the target of racist grafitti; she had her arm broken in the robbery; but, in spite of it all, there's no bitterness in her. The play takes a gently comic and occasionally poignant look at those who live on the margins of society. Maddie is Indian and Scots, but doesn't really fit in either category. It's a nicely judged performance by Annie George, making good use of the tiny stage. She has a very expressive face, which she uses to good effect, and the emotional undertones are emphasised by the understated playing. As the play progresses, we see more and more how the death of her husband has affected her and the final piece of Indian dance is very poignant and moving. Nobody Here But Us Chickens **** National Student Theatre Company This is one of Peter Barnes' lesser known works, a one-act play which, inexplicably, is rarely performed. I say inexplicably because it is very funny. It certainly had me - and the rest of the audience - laughing right from the off. It takes place in a kind of lean-to tent in the courtyard. The stage consists of a cube made from white plastic, around which the audience stands looking in through "windows" cut in the sides. The set is a chair and a table, on which there is a pile of clothes and a sandwich. As the audience walks in, they see Allsop (played by Neil Madden), dressed only in underpants, squatting on the chair. He crows and struts like a cock and we think he is a cock. Gradually our perception of what we're seeing changes and we realise that this is a mental hospital. Another "cock" enters: they square up to each other, try to establish a pecking order, and soon an accommodation is reached. The new "cock" eventually.... But why give the story away? It's an exploration of identity and the pressures which force us to conform. Very well performed, although not quite impeccable (pun intended!), as there was occasional gabbling from both actors. That's a minor quibble, however, and certainly not enough to make it lose one of its four stars. Next page - - - Index |
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