Sunday, 10 February 2013

Too Long the Heart and SDT

Edinburgh company Siege Perilous kicks off 2013 by continuing its partnership with boutique hotel Malmaison. Perhaps realising that there are limited venues in Edinburgh (apart from during the Fringe, when every room becomes a theatre), they have been performing at Malmaison. It's also a bold attempt to locate new audiences, who'd prefer an evening out at a classy hotel than down at the theatre.

 Seige Perilous have a scheme to mentor playwrights, called Avalon, and they are proud to present the second production to come out of it. Too Long The Heart by Ayrshire-based David Hutchison is set in the context of Northern Ireland and explores the burden of history. 

 It's that classic plot: man goes fishing, gets abducted for past sins: yet have they taken the right man hostage? Coming from an author who is perhaps better known for his commentary on the media in Scotland (he co-edited the book) and his job chairing Regional Screen Scotland, Too Long The Heart  is aware of how politics drives even apparently personal choices, and how the personal drives the political.

 Too Long The Heart can be seen Thursday 21 – Tuesday 26 February at 7.30 pm each evening except Sunday 24 February which will be at 5.00 pm. There is an additional matinee performance on Saturday 23 February at 3.00 pm. Malmaison has also made available two special meal deals for audience members. 




Now with a new artistic director, Scottish Dance Theatre are taking the road for their spring tour with  -  two contrasting new works. In the tradition of SDT's recent programmes, they have shipped in choreographers who are starting to get a buzz:  Victor Quijada and Jo Strømgren. And the boss, Fleur Darkin, gets to reveal her new dance piece for children. 

 Jo Strømgren is the most interesting addition to the repertoire. He had an entry in the Aurora Nova branch of the Edinburgh Fringe back in 2005 and 2006 with The Hospital and The Convent. More like plays written in an unknown language than the abstract, yet technically demanding, choreography that has seen SDT become a fixture on the Fringe and across the country, Strømgren's dance theatre is challenging and amusing, finding the common ground between provocative style and clear communication. 

Using Schubert' Eine Winterreise, Strømgren is taking a trip into the coldest season: Quijada, meanwhile is picking up on street dance for a more personal tale. Second Coming is about his coming of age as a breaker in Los Angeles, and has a soundtrack by DJ Lil' Jazz



Second Coming and Winter, Again






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