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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
The Jumble Sale
Verdict: Village intrigue
Edinburgh - C Venues - August 03
Village intrigue with a few unexpected twists. Middle-aged Rose Hardcastle has just lost her husband - secret bloodstained gloves suggest she's topped him. Rose's servant's pregnant daughter Trish Carter is resentful. Rose's school friend / enemy Sylvia Kirk turns up having tracked her down on the internet. Looks like a case for Miss Marples.
Rose asserts her bullying nature as the three women pack and unpack bags of clothes - some of which contain surprises - for a jumble sale. Her relationship with Sylvia hasn't changed since school, and the cruelty has deepened. With Trish it's a feudal and social superiority, dressed in a veneer of contemporary equality. But Sylvia discovers a winning card. Will Trish support her? Will Sylvia finally overcome her tormentor?
The Jumble Sale's both a comedy and careful study of relationships. There's fine acting from Barbara Hatwell as the truly appalling Rose, Eileen Nicholas - a superbly grovelling Sylvia, and Debbie Davies as the entertaining and unpredictable Trish.
Credits (alpha order): Debbie Davies (Trish Carter). Barbara Hatwell (Rose Hardcastle). Eileen Nicholas (Sylvia Kirk). Director - Neil Sheffield. Writer - Cat Muir. Company - More Tea Productions.
END
John Park
reviewed for Edinburgh 03
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
