Theatre
HORSE COUNTRY
Two comics are absurd 0660
How many surrealists does it take to change a lightbulb? A fish. Fish can’t be trained. But horses can. Just a little taster of OJ Hopkins’ new play, brought over from the States by Guy Masterson. In it, two suited men sit side by side, systematically drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels. They are talking to each other. But at the same time, they’re not. They talk about the Weather. Starbucks. Proud to be new Americans. All things that distract them from thinking about what’s really gorng on. Their speech patterns and relationship are similar to those of Beckett’s Pozzo and Lucky, but the comparison stops there as we realise that, unlike in Godot, Sam and Bob are passing time in a way that’s been constructed for them. The repetitive patterns of existence are hiding behind the normality of everyday things. If something is unrecognisable, it should be left alone. Attentions should not be diverted. The only thing they are
waiting for is success.
Which might, or might not come. As this illusion fills their worlds, the line between what’s real and what’s not becomes blurred. ls Paul Newman dead? Or is the character played by Paul Newman dead? Is that a chair you’re sitting on? Or is it a word? You can’t sit on a word. But people do.
Hopkins’ text is stimulating and thought—provoking. Its rhythm creates a pace that runs on climaxes and come—downs, reminiscent in style and content of both Edward Albee, and life. With John Clancy’s precise direction, and David Calvitto and Ben Schneider’s well-timed performances, canon of all things absurd and beautiful. (Mererid Williams)
this is a welcome addition to the
I /.l‘ Ti}. .‘1’. ' '
OUTRAGEOUS NEW AMERICAN COMEDY! /
" Mr, M I [(100 ,‘ .‘lr
‘Best New in BOStOU’ THEATRE MIRROR
‘Chilling’
3.55 pm 31 July ' 25 August
venue34
A D A M H O U S E CHAMBERS STREET
007. 701 5105
“...sub.tle, wt and clove .. THE L’ST / / by Brandon Toropm'
directed by Betsy Carpenter
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2002 www.cdfringe.eom
Fringe Box Office: 0131 226 0000
thAl Ht DOG WELL
DONE
Vendor bending tragedy 0...
ln Glasgow there were rce cream wars. rn London it's hotdogs. And flrppant as that sounds the realrty rs deadly serious. Dog Well Done was inspired by the discovery of a Kosovan refugee beaten to death rn London's St Jarnes's Park.
lhe story of immigrants ekrng out a lrvrng from professional crooks has a Drckensran ring about If the underworld of London where seedy rogues explort the desperate. And here. Grrst has hrs fellow countrymen — rrnrrrrgrants from the former Yugoslavra ~ over a barrel or rather. a hotdog stall. It's a cynical cartel. and the play explores wrth great intelligence the kind of Me that many refugees face Ill London. lhere zrrt: satr()rrg; performances from all and interesting casting wrth one of the refugees played by an lrrsh actor
drawmg parallels wrth the not too distant history of the treatment of Irish immigrants in lirrtarn. A compelling piece of theatre. rHuth lledgesl I (I. 08/0 /()I f) MN). .rrrrrr' an Aug. 8. lap/rt. i 71:50 If ‘3'). 350/.
HAPPY WITH HALF YOUR LIFE Time’s passed
0...
.Just turned 71 and
recently t)t:l(:Il of her Unfit} grantirrmtlrer. Australian artist .Jest; "roger; to l ondon to sort .rtrt her identity
Arrrrrist illt: hustle and
Thur-Sat 1 5th/1 7th
Mon-Wed 1 9/21 st August
2.30 o m " . ROCKET VENUE 123, INFIRMARY STREET, EDINBURGH ‘ TELEPHONE: 013 558 9991
August
bustle of the city. she enjoys the short-term pleasures of being anonymous. until corrrrnunrty lrfe tres her down and leaves her empty. Her part-tune job as a carer turns rnto her marn focus as she garns rnsprratron from the old women who know how to lrve.
Wrrtten and performed by Vanessa O'Nerll who slips in and out of characters so effortlessly. the text is a warning that to ponder rs to let too much pass by. Engrossrng performance with accents'n'all. lMererrd erliamsl I Gilded Balloon Tevrot. 226 2157. fl, 1348.
2 7—26 Aug, 5.30pm. 53850-535150 (£T7.50—£T8.:30/.
HELL FOR BOATS
Tragedy never gives it Oresteia .00
He// For Boats places two of Aeschylus' characters from The Oresteia/r Trilogy on a journey to the underworld where they confront each other rn a battle of justificatron. Clyterrrnestra havrng killed her krngly husband. and vengeful daughter Electra haying plotted her mother's death. manipulate each other as they defend therr fateful (or notr actions.
An exploration of farrrrly. state and woman's role wrthrn them. the play '5; errrotrve language. tone and physrcal gesture rs r'errrrnrscent of Aeschylus. with the use of song adding to the beautiful story telling process. But it's acaderrrrcalh
"in yer space
12th-14th nd-24th August
2.00 o m