MIDSUMMER
CTW
at the Old Court Theatre
28.07.15
An
end-of-season treat at the Old Court, a raw, rough-and-ready rom-com
that follows two thirty-somethings through a “legendary lost
weekend” in Edinburgh.
David
Greig's engaging two-hander had something of a hit at the Traverse a
few years ago; this production, directed by Lynne Foster, with
Caroline Blom
Brown, is a welcome chance for southerners to see it.
Medium
Bob [Barry Taylor], piss-artist
and very-small-time
crook who once dreamed of rock-star fame, chances upon Helena, a
divorce lawyer [Caroline Dunsmuir]. The fast and furious drama
follows them from their first drunken night together [with running
commentary] to a crazy orgy of spending, a picaresque romp through
the capital's streets, Cathedral
steps to IKEA car-park,
encountering Goth kids, Japanese bondage, dancing
lobsters and
the man from Oddbins. There's
a Q&A, bizarre “philosophical underpinnings”, a walk-on for
Elmo from Sesame Street and a name-check for Kim Wilde, landscape
gardener.
This
is a play with music, so the story is glossed by some quirky original
songs by Gordon McIntyre, with Taylor on guitar. The
lyrics are in the programme, as well as a handy map of the city
centre...
Both
performances are very impressive, with excellent accents - maybe
the social gulf between them could have been wider, though.
Dunsmuir, who
spends much of the time in a bridesmaid's dress, also
gets to play a bone-headed underworld boss and her own young nephew,
amongst other roles. A simple black-walled setting, with the vertical
bed neatly echoed by
the
bondage
cat's cradle opposite. Breathless pursuits through the not very
chase-friendly auditorium add to the fun.
A
worthwhile new play, in a fine production. Let's hope Midsummer is a
good omen for CTW's new season, which opens on September 15 with
Arnold Ridley's Ghost Train.
