Lena, Assembly George Square.
The staging of this show reveals the two opposing aspects of Lena Zavaroni’s life in sharp contrast. On one side of the stage is a platform with a band, and the name LENA large in lights; on the other, a modest living room with a small TV and past-their-best armchairs. This simple, unsophisticated upbringing did not prepare her for the excesses of showbiz. When Lena Zavaroni was taken away from the family to start her career with an unprecedented five-week victory on Opportunity Knocks! no one could have foreseen the future. It looked like a golden, star-studded fast route to success – but, in fact, it was child abuse. Tim Whitnall’s movingly written, superbly performed musical play starts with Lena awaiting her last chance surgery; then Hughie Green introduces scenes from her life, starting with her being spotted at a Rothesay club, through TV stardom, hit records and international success; all of which came to an end with Lena’s increasing Anorexia. Erin Armstrong is simply brilliant as Lena, with terrific performances from Alan McHugh and Julie Coombe as her conflicted, ineffectual parents, Helen Logan as her manipulative manager and Jon Culshaw as Hughie Green. A fascinating, immensely sad piece – I remember Lena Zavaroni’s early successes well, seeing her on television and buying her records; but would any of us have done those things and supported her career if we had known what it was doing to her brain? Failed by everyone around her, this is a tough story immaculately told.
Sooz Kempner: Y2K Woman, Underbelly Bristo Square.
Sooz Kempner is on cracking form as she takes us back to New Year’s Eve 1999, and wonders what she would tell her 14-year-old self about how her life would develop. This is a fast, slick and very funny show that touches on loads of topics and each time the humour lands home. Crammed with callbacks, both verbal and visual, and with superbly original material. Absolutely first rate, loved every minute.
Walking Home, Gilded Balloon Teviot.
What happens when, one morning, someone at your office doesn’t come in as expected? They haven’t telephoned to say they’re unwell, and this behaviour is most out of character. Then HR send an urgent email to all staff recommending safety training. Gradually it is revealed that they have been attacked when walking home the previous night. Prickly Pear Productions have created this devised performance, based on the testimonies of around forty people. Each of the four characters has a short sequence when they come out of character and address the audience directly, asking about our experiences relating to personal safety and sexual assaults. The main message that comes through is that there is always something that we can all do to make life safer for everyone; there’s always some help one can offer. However, I think the play is written in a rather manipulative way; it’s designed to make us all think one thing, and then make us feel guilty for thinking it. The play obviously comes from a good place, but it could probably do with a little refinement.
Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Dirt, Assembly George Square.
Frank Skinner has us all in the palm of his hand right from the start, with his masterful, gentle pace which masks a devastatingly wicked sense of humour. The hour is packed with brilliant, original material that he glides through with effortless determination. A complete masterclass in comedy.
