A WALK IN THE PARK till 27 August

Edinburgh 2007 Fringe.

A WALK IN THE PARK.
by Dave Anderson.

Assembly Rooms, George St. To 27 August 2007.
then 30 Aug–1 Sept Byre Theatre, St Andrews.
1.40pm no performance 22 Aug..
Runs 1hr. No interval.

TICKETS. 0131 623 3030 or Fringe BO 0131 226 0000.
Review Thelma Good 23 August 2007.

Skillful trip.
The creator ofA Walk In The Park, Dave Anderson, takes the central role of an old man who’s drunk quite a bit in his time. It’s winter, it’s late and he’s writing a letter to Him, yep the one up there. Life is getting “pisher”, and the man feels the baddies have won.

But night has wonders. a fox (Pauline Knowles). The man explains something of his life and we see his encounter with a nasty savage dog. He's been observing life in park for years and now he goes out and talks to its creatures. There’s a squirrel, Jennifer Rhodes, dressed in a NY baseball cap and accent to match, who never hibernates,a fox (Pauline Knowles), heron (Alan Tall), who’s not that interested in conversation, as he has fishing to do, and a few more including the Kelvin River. These three also are the Chorus who weave their way through with great fun to be had with the Kelvin Bridge echo.

Anderson’s gently resigned but sharply observed piece is full of ironic humour, much fired by the Man’s weary view of a world gone off the rails. Those familiar with Glasgow and Scotland will enjoy the local references, but those yet to taste the Buckfast will still get lots of the play’s bitter, catching the back of the throat as you laugh, punch.

Well cast, directed by Rosie Kellagher and given the feel of wooded spot by Lisa Sangster’s coat-stand set, it’s a skillful trip into the mess of the world. It also reminds how beautiful and extraordinary is the nature living along side us, and how just watching it can feed our impoverished souls if we take the time for a walk in the park.

The same team, from Glasgow's Oran mor, are involved at the same venue (at 5.20pm) and on the tour in Dave Anderson’s gloriously, fantastical musical Tir Na N'Og.

Man: Dave Anderson
Fox/Chorus: Pauline Knowles.
Squirrel/Chorus: Jennifer Rhodes.
Heron:Chorus: Alan Tall.

Director: Rosie Kellagher.
Designer: Lisa Sangster.

2007-08-25 10:04:01