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UNDER GLASS The Fringe heads into its last week with a bang not a whimper, as a number of must-see shows throw open their doors for late runs. None is more intriguing than Under Glass, Clod Ensemble’s stunning 20-minute exploration of the ways people find to live within their limits, which features a collection of human beings contained within glass jars and cabinets and combines distinctive imagery with choreography and original music. ■ McEwan Hall, 651 1292, until 29 Aug (not 27), noon, 3pm, 5pm, £10 (£7.50).
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As young, dynamic theatre company Viventi brings its fresh new interpretation of Pinter’s The Birthday Party to the Fringe, director Sarah MacDonald celebrates with a shot at our Q & A 5 words to describe your production of The Birthday Party Poignant. Comic. Menacing. Enigmatic. Alive. 4 shows you’re looking forward to seeing in Edinburgh this August Belt Up’s The Trial, Pinter’s Celebration, The World’s Wife with Linda Marlowe and Up by Return to Work. 3 things you love about Edinburgh in August The hidden, quirky Fringe venues; sitting on the top of Arthur’s Seat at sunrise after an extended night out; frantically trying to get to know as many of the other performers from around the globe before the three weeks are up. 2 things you hate about Edinburgh in August The tram works and the rubbish. 1 word that sums up how you feel about directing theatre Charged. ■ The Birthday Party, The Space on the Mile @ Jury’s Inn, 0845 508 8387, until 29 Aug, 6.30pm, £5.
Hitlist FESTIVAL THEATRE *
✽✽ Gate/Friel The run of plays by the prolific Brian Friel, produced by Dublin’s Gate Theatre, continues at the King’s. See list.co.uk/festival for our reviews of Faith Healer, The Yalta Game and Afterplay (pictured). King’s Theatre, 473 2000, until 5 Sep. See www.eif.co.uk for full listings information. ✽✽ The Overcoat Funny and moving adaptation of Gogol’s short story by Gecko Theatre. See review, page 98. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6557, until 29 Aug, 5.20pm, £14 (£11.50). ✽✽ Controlled Falling Project Mesmerising family- friendly display of acrobatics from Australia’s This Side Up. Udderbelly’s Pasture, 0844 545 8252, until 31 Aug, 3.50pm, £11.50–£14.50 (£10–£12.50). ✽✽ The Hotel An hour of daft interactive, site-specific Fringe fun scripted by comedian Mark Watson. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 31 Aug, 4.15pm, £10.50–£13 (£9–£10). ✽✽ The Tartuffe / The Trial Highly recommended adaptations of two literary classics by the energetic Belt Up Theatre. C soco, 0845 260 1234, until 31 Aug, 8.55pm (The Tartuffe), 11.20pm (The Trial), £9.50–£11.50 (£8.50–£10.50). ✽✽ Trilogy Nic Green succeeds in making feminism exciting and compelling in this new work. St Stephen’s, 0141 565 1000, until 31 Aug, 7.30pm, £12 (£9). ✽✽ The Testament of Cresseid Robert Henryson’s 1590 poem is directed for the stage by Israel’s David Levin and performed by Jimmy Yuill. See preview, page 95. The Hub, 473 2000, 29 Aug–5 Sep (not 1), 8pm, £17 (£8.50). ✽✽ Peter and Wendy Mabou Mines’ innovative production of JM Barrie’s enduring classic features puppetry and an original score performed live by a seven- piece band. See feature, page 94. Royal Lyceum Theatre, 473 2000, 2–5 Sep, 7.30pm (5 Sep 2.30pm), £10–£25. For venue addresses see index page 112.
27 Aug–10 Sep 2009 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 93