Novoconto 0.... (EIF) Royal Lyceum. l7/lug. 7.30pm: Iii/lug. 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Everything in this Montreal production is honed to perfection. So sensitive the sound design by Nancy Tobin — created entirely with a piano. but hardly ever sounding like one — that we get an aural impression of the eponymous Novecento. an interwarjazz pianist who was born. lived and died on an ocean liner. through suggestion alone.
So expert the lighting design by Marc Parent — an exercise in film noir subtlety. rarely brighter than the exit signs and gloriously reminiscent of the work of compatriots Da Da Kamera — that it seems to turn the grand Lyceum auditorium into an intimate studio.
And so controlled the performance by Tom McCamus — a mesmerising. daringly static display of story-telling. apparently performed in the bowels of the liner itself — that this fascinating tale is absolutely compulsive.
In short. there's nothing extraneous in director Francois Girard's production. Everything works to focus our attention on Alessandro Baricco‘s allegory about the artistic spirit. Novecento. the pianist. his feet never touching dry land. lives a life dedicated to playing music. His is a pure dedication. neither altruistic nor egotistical. but innocent and inspirational. And in that there could be no better way to kick off the Edinburgh international Festival programme. (Mark Fisher)
Lilla .0. (ii/(led Balloon, until 27 Aug. 2pm. It's a question of the writer/performer being too close to the subject matter. American Libby Skala is the granddaughter oflilia Skala. the renowned .'\ll\li'liill stage actress w ho lled .\'a/i (iermany. only to become the toast of Broadway and ()scar-nominated as a nun in Sidney Poitier's lilm. l.illie\ o/ the l'll'ltl. .»\t the time of Lilia's nomination. she was working in the lost and found department of a .\'ew York theatre? It's a fascinating. sprawling life~story. how ey er that doesn't make a play. The script needs editing and structuring. .»\necdotes are too long. and there's no staging. |,ibby. the performer. has a loy ely presence but is often starry -ey ed and gushing. She needs more l'linl. And I can't beliey e her actress grandmother who lived to be llll) years old didn't hayc times of crisis or despair. (iiye us some ugliness please. (John Binnie)
The Little Mermaid (m .-t Rule l’rmlia'tinns. :lueuytine's. until /\' .'\llL’. ll.l)5arn. A grow n-up look at the world of childhood magic. Joanna .\lary l’into's play weaves together llans ('hristian .-\nderson's classic. with new stories and tales.
until 26 Aug. 12.45am. New inttsical featuring the cream of 60s sounds.
Life In the Fold: 00. Sine’m/ Rushe and Jenny Boot. Hill Street Theatre. until 27Aug. 2.25pm. If your heart. like mine. sinks at the concept of a show comprising Irish dancing and jazz movement with poetry recital. prepare fora pleasant surprise. Life In The l-‘olils is so much more than the sum of its parts. The sinister poetry of Henri .‘ylichaux is brought to life by the two performers. who bring a comic edge to his strange words. Through their dance and movement. combined with an eclectic soundtrack. the poetry becomes drama. Both are very accomplished dancers. with a precision and connection which suggests a long-term collaboration. and their enjoyment of their performance is apparent. However. at over an hour. Life In The l‘i7l(/\ is a little too long. and you may find your attention waning before the finish. (Kirsty Knaggs)
A Light Gathering of Dust .\'X'IZ Gateway Theatre. until 27.»liig, a. l5pm. Erotic study of the damage inflicted on lovers by a state which institutionalised personal betrayal. Two stars in The Scotsman.
UK. Thunder (ii/(led Balloon at 'Iet'iot Raw. until 27 Aug. 4pm. Psychological family drama by Niels Fredrik Dahl about avoiding the truth. Four stars in The Scotsman and a Fringe First winner.
index Theatre
THEY'RE BA K!
...THE HOTTEST SHAKESPEARE AROUND FROM THE COOLEST BUN or GUYS!
'A TRIUMPH'
TIMES Clutch your cod-pieces and prepare to let the RSC take you through all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in just 97 minutes! loin these three madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through the comedies, histories and tragedies in one terrific roller-coaster ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter.
'Spine-crackingly funny - GO NOW ! !'
SUNDAY TIMES
'Hysterical... the audience loved it and so did I' DAILY MAIL
SATURDAY 4 - SUNDAY 26 AUGUST 11.45am
THE MUSIC HALL ASSEMBLY ROOMS
GEORGE STREET. EDINBURGH EH2 ZLR ASSEMBLY ROOMS BOX OFFICE FRINGE FESTIVAL BOX OFFICE 0131 226 2428 0131 226 0000
'Sheer heavenly, “unadulterated fun!’
SUNDAY EXPRESS
‘2? 1.? Aug: THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 61
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