Three Plays

Each of the three theatrical performances showing in Edinburgh's 'art quarter' (that's the bit with the Filmhouse, The Lyceum, The Traverse and The Usher Hall - not the 'new one') began with a script. That doesn't sound too unusual - except for in Glasgow, most performances have one. Yet in the approaches of the playwrights, there is an intriguing diversity even in this most traditional dramaturgy.

A Perfect Stroke flowed from the pen of Johnny McKnight: through Random Accomplice and his pantomime activities, McKnight has become one of Scotland's hottest young talents. Despite his training on the Royal Conservatoire's Contemporary Performance Practice course, McKnight is a popular, and populist author. A Perfect Stroke  is part of A Play, A Pie and A Pint season, visiting The Traverse from its home in Glasgow's Oran Mor: not only is it becoming the home of new writing, PPP suits McKnight's style. Quick witted - and a master of the short-form drama -  McKnight is unafraid of the cheeky chuckle and deals in broad comedy with subtle, even menacing undercurrents.

Photo by Laurence Winram.

Max Stafford-Clark is associated with new writing, even though he was artistic director of The Traverse back in the 1960s, and is better described as a producer. Through Out of Joint, his current company, he helped to develop This May Hurt A Bit, a mix of cabaret  structure (there is a cheery sing-along, and guest appearances from Death) and verbatim episodes about the National Health. This Might... is unashamedly and explicitly political. Unlike McKnight, playwright Stella Feeney built up her script after workshops with the company and plenty of heavy-duty research.

The third piece, Union, is a commission by The Lyceum. It is another populist piece, with a topical theme (Scottish nationhood). While This May Hurt... is touring, Union is a one venue play. There are economic factors in each process, and their creation defines their format. The picaresque romp of This May Hurt contrasts with the more formal structure of Union (which also have a large, fixed set): A Perfect Stroke is a flexible three-hander, short, sharp and precise.