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Snapshot
Verdict: Damaging relationships
Edinburgh 04 - George Square Theatre - 17:30 (1.5 hours)
Snapshot is intense drama about diseased family relationships, lasting 90 minutes in one act, with 4 actors (2M 2F).
Voluptuous, sexually rampant and alcoholic Sissy is Snapshot's centrepiece. Jan, her neice, recalls her relationship with Sissy as Jan herself grows up. Two male actors fill in all Sissy's love interests and male accessories.
Sissy is beaten, bruised and maritally raped; Sissy fucks and fights; plunges into the thick of family brawls; provokes; doesn't have much luck with life; drinks; is a catholic.
The play is structured as a set of incidents linked by narrator Jan, who sometimes joins in the action. Narration continues throughout, and other actors narrate. The characters stay much the same through the play, so it's more an illustrated story than a drama.
Snapshot may have a strong appeal to those who have beaten and raped their sexual partners, and those on the receiving end; to sufferers of damaged families; to those with appalling problems in their relationships. In Sissy's words: 'People should only experience this family as a tourist'
Snapshot's highlight is the first part of a single scene between Sissy and priest Father Mike, and a man in a cinema. This fragment is crisp, lively and imaginative.
The Edinburgh audience may divide between those who enjoy its minute detail and narrator structure, lasting 90 minutes without interval; and those preferring its distilled essence. An edited version to 45 minutes without narrator or monologues to slow the pace might appeal to the latter and introduce dramatic tension.
The hard-working cast give all their energy to the play. Samantha Swan excels. For the part, she's put on 2 stone and dyed her hair dark. Both suit the character, and Samantha Swan delights - big, gorgeous, voluptuously fleshy, her flowing raven curly hair magnificent - a Rubentine siren with classically beautiful face.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Sergio Gallinaro (Boy on Beach; Bartenders; Liz, Jan's Friend; Barfly; Dermot; Father Mike; Man At Movies; John, Sissy's Married Lover). Alex Kane (Lifeguard; Gus, Jan's Father; Alan, Jan's Boyfriend; Jason, Jan's Boyfriend; Joe, Bartender). Natasha Marco (Jan / Young Jan - Writer). Samantha Swan (Sissy, Jan's Aunt).
Company Credits: Writer - Samantha Swan. Director - Christopher Comrie. Thanks to Craig Allen at Richmond Studio; Delphine White.
END
John Park
reviewed Monday 9 August 04 / George Square Theatre
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
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