EDINBURGH - LONG TIME DEAD to 26 August
Edinburgh 2007 Fringe.
Long Time Dead.
by Rona Munro.
Traverse Theatre, Cambridge St. To 26 August 2007.
Tue–Sun Various times.
2hrs 30mins. One interval.
TICKETS. 0131 228 1404 or Fringe BO 0131 226 0000.
www.traverse.co.uk
Review Thelma Good 7 August 2007.
Would benefit from a bit of a rethink.
Grizzly’s been climbing with Dog for nearly thirteen years, Gnome’s recently joined them. They’re roped up a socking great big foreign mountain Grizzly calls a hill, even though it’s where his brother died. Gnome‘s mistake puts her in intensive care back in London. Grizzly and Dog arrive at her bedside where a widowed nurse dispenses care and extra comfort.
The hospital and mountain setting are supplied by Miriam Buether’s round-cornered white set with foot holds on the walls and two large holes, one on back wall and one on the floor. Chahine Yavroyan lights it in a changing variety of colours from glaring white to deep purple blue. We watch the action through a black edged rounded rectangle space. (Tip: sit left-centre to see most).
Making theatrical the dangers of climbing is more difficult than in film where stunt doubles would have you and the story hanging by tautened fingertips. Film, where things happen quickly with less dialogue, would suit these go-getter characters and the time-consuming scene changes, which interrupt the flow in a set that’s too safe and regular looking.
Rona Munro’s characters immerse themselves in climbing or high-demand nursing to escape every day life. They’ve decided existence is easier when all that’s demanded is to keep life going moment to moment. It’s the long haul of everyday life they find dangerous. Roxanna Silbert directs Garry Coopers’ gritty Grizzly, Lesley Hart’s small but strong Gnome, Jon Foster’s Dog so the rhythm of the script is reflected in the climbs. And there’s a robust tenderness in Jan Pearson’s Widow.
This is a revival of Long Time Dead’s 2006 premiere production by Paines Plough and Plymoutth’s Drum Theatre,, but the play, like the route up the mountain, could benefit from a rethink, a fresh look at how to stage it, to really summit.
Gnome: Lesley Hart.
Grizzly: Garry Cooper.
Dog: Jon Foster.
The Widow: Jan Pearson.
Director: Roxanne Silbert.
Designer: Miriam Buether .
Lighting: Chahine Yavroyan.
Sound: Richard Price.
Composer : Ben Park.
Movement: Struan Leslie.
Assistant director : George Perrin.
2007-08-09 17:24:48