home
|
about
|
news
|
contents
|
gossip
|
photographs
|
venues
|
brighton
|
dublin
|
edinburgh
|
film
|
features
|
interviews
|
awards
|
fashion
|
recipes
|
no more drinks
|
newsletter
|
links
|
contact
Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
The Bridge
Verdict: High flying tragedy
Old College Quad, South Bridge / Nicolson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL, tel 0131 662 8740
The Bridge is the sectarian divide and join of two communities. It’s where two young girls meet, play and fly. High above the river and the city, their imagination overcomes all limitations.
The Bridge is inspired by the stone-arched Stari Most bridge spanning the Neretva River in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The play takes place outdoors; aerialists perform above the audience's heads against a large screen and the night sky; there's film and music.
As teenagers the girls fly higher; take more risks; play more mature games. As women they fly with more control and care. Their friendship endures. There’s war, the bridge is guarded by a soldier; they still meet. The bridge is destroyed.
This is only the beginning of the troubles that Samra (Chantal McCormick) and Aida (Jennifer Paterson) have to face. The production itself encounters difficulties from the start.
It tries to be simple but becomes simplistic. The aerial work is good – the acting wooden. There is more life among the extras, (Students of Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh), but they’re only used as background.
Live action and pre-recorded video projected on a giant screen are not well-mixed. Pre-recorded sequences are at times unclear and unsophisticated. Pyrotechnics, bangs, fire, searchlights are used as discrete entities that don’t always fit the plot. There are technical problems with the sound. The play has tremendous but unfulfilled potential.
Cast Credits (alpha order): Chantal McCormick - Samra. Jennifer Paterson - Aida. Chorus – Students of Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh.
Company Credits: Writers / Directors – Paul Pinson, Roxana Pope. Production Designer – Allan Ross. Composer – Jim Sutherland. Aerial Designer – Jonothan Campbell. Video Artist/Editor – Ian Dodds. Lighting Designer – George Tarbuck. Company – Boilerhouse. Press - Eileen MacCallum
END
(c) Peter Andrews 2004
reviewed Tuesday 17 August 04 / Old College Quad
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
