MERLIN THE MAGINIFICENT: Paterson, R Lyceum, to 29 December
Edinburgh
MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT
by Stuart Paterson
Royal Lyceum Theatre To 29 December 2002
6,7,11-14,18-21,23,26-28 December 7pm
7,14,20,21,23,26-28 December 2.30pm
2429 December 1.30pm & 5.30pm
Audio described 12, 14 (2.30pm( December
BSL Signed 11 December
Touch Tour 14 December (2.30pm)
Runs 2hr 5min One interval
TICKETS 0131 248 4848
Review Timothy Ramsden 30 November
Great, colourful fun and pacy storytelling keep up the Lyceum's high Christmas standard, with a new look at an old Paterson favourite.
Celebrating his last season as Royal Lyceum artistic director, Kenny Ireland has directed his first Christmas show there. It's less theatrical upfront than many previous Lyceum Yuletide successes but there's still plenty of theatrical colour. And it works beautifully as a story of Arthurian people.
Where it's less forceful is in the supernatural. Previous productions would have pounded out more amplified music and voices, flashed more flashes and puffed more smoke at us. But Ireland's Merlin is more matter-of-fact than that. If Michael Mackenzie isn't exactly a Camelot Santa, he's certainly something of a long-lost benevolent uncle. The light/dark battle doesn't quite come over as cosmic.
But there's always Carol Ann Crawford (the statutory Lyceum Christmas Witch) as Morgana to make sure good will have a struggle. Alternately screeching, then conducting fell swoops on lower tones, she defines malevolence in a way young audiences can jointly fear and enjoy hissing.
Her cavern in the dark, impenetrable forest is spot-on in Gregory Smith's setting, with its sinisterly comfortable bed area where Arthur is kept enchanted. John Kielty is a lithely likeable lad born unaware he's to be king. He's brought up as servant to odious young Kay, son of Sir Hector and his terrifying wife Lady Baffy. Ireland catches the Music Hall comedy of their scenes, placing them within the vigorous Scottish Variety tradition. It's recalled too by the huge portcullis dropping down for the front-stage comic scenes beloved within variety and panto traditions.
Lewis Howden and Alasdair Lay offer a fine double-act of fools as father and son trying to outdo each other in lies, Howden also attempting to slip several thousand calories past his wife-enforced diet. Julie Austin is terrifically shrill ass the Lady who wears the metaphorical trousers. Though sartorially she's into the latest fashions, and ensuring her reluctant husband and son gain a practical appreciation of them too.
So, plenty to enjoy, with everything well-paced to keep up the energy and entertainment. A fine farewell Christmas present from Ireland to audiences at Scotland's prestigious rep.
Merlin: Michael Mackenzie
Arthur: John Kielty
Gwen: Suzanne Robertson
Sir Hector/Cabal: Lewis Howden
Kay: Alasdair Lay
Lady Baffy/Mrs Eerycheery: Julie Austin
Morgana: Carol Ann Crawford
Face: Ronnie Simon
Mole/Blade: James Mackenzie
Strut: Gemma Burns
Director: Kenny Ireland
Designer: Gregory Smith
Lighting: Jeanine Davies
Music: John Kielty
Video: Bevis Evans-Teush
Choreographer: Jane Howie
2002-12-07 17:00:21