Rites review " drama tells real-life stories of FGM by Mark Fisher

Tron, GlasgowCora Bissett and Yusra Warsama's sensitive script tries to map out a way forward through verbatim testimonies of those affected by female genital mutilation Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:59am on May 11, 2015☆⚑

The Venetian Twins review " deadly serious preposterousness by Mark Fisher

Royal Lyceum, EdinburghGrant O'Rourke excels as a pair of lovelorn but utterly different identical twins in Tony Cownie's uproarious version of the Carlo Goldoni farce Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:01am on April 30, 2015☆⚑

Fever Dream: Southside review " a weird and chaotic summer in the city by Mark Fisher

Citizens, GlasgowDouglas Maxwell's trippy snapshot of lives under strain during a community crisis scores comic hits, though at times the play juggles too many offbeat stories Continue readi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:58am on April 28, 2015☆⚑

Uisge-Beatha Gu Leòr (Whisky Galore) review " breezy and big-hearted by Mark Fisher

Oran Mor, GlasgowNational Theatre of Scotland's comic production puts the islanders centre-stage, and asks who ever owns stories anyway? Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:22am on April 14, 2015☆⚑

Titus Andronicus review " tragedy becomes a kitchen nightmare by Mark Fisher

Dundee Rep, DundeeThis modern reimagining of Shakespeare's gore-fest, set in a warehouse-style restaurant, is dynamically realised " in spite of some shaky verse-speaking Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:57am on April 13, 2015☆⚑

Last Dream (On Earth) review " a pair of gorgeously evocative sonic journeys by Mark Fisher

Tron, GlasgowKai Fischer's spellbinding headphone show links Yuri Gagarin's 1961 space voyage to a refugee's journey, but it's a moment of silence that grips the most Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:14am on April 7, 2015☆⚑

The Straw Chair review " Miss Havisham meets King Lear by Mark Fisher

An Lanntair, StornowaySue Glover's drama evokes 18th-century Outer Hebridean life " but would be nothing without the remarkable kidnapped and exiled Lady Grange Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:53am on April 1, 2015☆⚑

And the Beat Goes On review " Sonny and Cher marathon is a mystery by Mark Fisher

Tron, GlasgowJulie Brown and Johnny McKnight look a treat as a suburban couple obsessed by the pop duo in this uneven comedy Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:24am on March 31, 2015☆⚑

Hedda Gabler review " Ibsen's odd couple caught in a twitchy, tense tragedy by Mark Fisher

Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh Amanda Gaughan's period production does fair justice to this after-party drama for a Macbeth-like couple Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:10am on March 30, 2015☆⚑

Blood Wedding review " Lorca's tragedy turned into a soap opera by Mark Fisher

Dundee RepDavid Ireland's lively but lightweight adaptation moves Lorca's classic into a 21st-century world of knife crime and Elvis-themed wedding discos Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 1:00pm on March 10, 2015☆⚑

The Effect review " Lucy Prebble's compelling play asks what makes us us by Mark Fisher

Heart of HawickAre we just the sum of our chemicals? Lovestruck drugs-trial volunteers provide the springboard to discussion in this riveting piece Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:36am on February 26, 2015☆⚑

The Caucasian Chalk Circle review " a bold, brash extravaganza by Mark Fisher

Royal Lyceum, EdinburghThis tremendous bare-walls production blends large-scale ensemble playing, all-hands-on-deck music and fluid staging Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:35am on February 25, 2015☆⚑

The Slab Boys review " banter without the bite by Mark Fisher

Citizens, GlasgowJohn Byrne's teddy boys put the accent on badinage, but this timely revival lacks a cutting edge Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:53am on February 15, 2015☆⚑

The Slab Boys are back: John Byrne and David Hayman mix some fresh mayhem by Mark Fisher

One was a painter who created banana boots for Billy Connolly; the other was an actor intent on directing. Together, they staged a riotous black comedy set in a carpet factory and starring R…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:05am on February 12, 2015☆⚑

Faith Healer review " Brian Friel's hero gets a Bryan Ferry makeover by Mark Fisher

Royal Lyceum, EdinburghSean O'Callaghan has the air of a restrained rock'n'roll animal in these finely observed monologuesIt's a bold move to put a play as intimate as Brian Friel's modern c…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:15am on January 20, 2015☆⚑

Mark Fisher's top 10 theatre of 2014 by Mark Fisher

An online monologue lasting minutes, an epic historical trilogy and an Ivor Cutler musical are this year's highlights on and off Scotland's stages' Lyn Gardner's top 10 shows of 2014' Michae…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:00am on December 21, 2014☆⚑

War on Christmas review " rough-edged anti-capitalist panto by Mark Fisher

Arches, GlasgowGary McNair's broadside against Christmas consumerism ends up being defeated by the sheer power of seasonal goodwill Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:56am on December 18, 2014☆⚑

Glimmer review " a warm mince pie of a show by Mark Fisher

Tramway, GlasgowReal-life sisters find something uplifting, tear-jerking and true in a Christmassy two-hander that's like a lopsided cabaret Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:06am on December 16, 2014☆⚑

The Devil Masters review " a curate's egg of a play by Mark Fisher

Traverse, EdinburghIs this a class-conscious subversion of the drawing-room comedy? A Tarantino-esque vision of dog-eat-dog status games? Great performances don't surmount the sense you're w…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:49am on December 12, 2014☆⚑

A Christmas Carol review " a gloriously spooky Scrooge by Mark Fisher

Citizens, GlasgowCreepy settings and music, along with subtle characterisations, make for an especially satisfying seasonal treat Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:30am on December 8, 2014☆⚑

Miracle on 34 Parnie Street review " panto keeps the Christmas faith by Mark Fisher

Tron, GlasgowThe Tron's version of the movie favourite has a festive saviour in a spangly red dress Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 8:42am on December 4, 2014☆⚑

James and the Giant Peach review " panto alternative leaves a sour taste by Mark Fisher

Dundee RepChildren loved the bouncing peach, but the hero's journey was only ever physical, never emotional Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:47am on December 3, 2014☆⚑

Scotch and Soda review " grungy circus cabaret rumbles, tumbles and fumbles by Mark Fisher

St Andrew Square, EdinburghWith its lederhosen-clad acrobats and jaunty music, this hour-long show is merely a festive diversion Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:01am on December 2, 2014☆⚑

The Voice Thief review an angry, alarming lesson in girls emancipation by Mark Fisher

Summerhall, EdinburghAn engaging Wonka figure hides a dark purpose in this impressively rebellious childrens promenade show Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:25am on November 5, 2014☆⚑

Colquhoun & MacBryde review a raucous portrait of rebel artists by Mark Fisher

Tron, GlasgowJohn Byrnes story of two Glasgow painters ahead of their time is a touching study of men defeated by forces beyond their control Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:55am on November 3, 2014☆⚑