THE FOUND MAN. To 28 August.

Edinburgh.

THE FOUND MAN
by Riccardo Galgani.

Traverse Theatre (Traverse 1) To 28 August 2005.
Tue-Sun Various times.
Runs 1hr 15min No interval.

TICETS: 0131 228 1404.
www.traverse.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 19 August.

Dark play needs more tonal contrast to connect with audience.
At least the Traverse has a diversity in the subject matter of its own 2 contributions to its Fringe Festival programme. Counterbalancing the modern urban comedy of newcomer Martin J Taylor's East Coast Chicken Supper, Riccardo Galgani's 3rd Traverse play explores a remote community along the bare coast of mid-19th century Scotland. In modern terms it's awaiting regeneration and local people hope a newcomer called Sinclair, due soon, will provide the inward-investment needed.

As the play starts, the local carpenter's preparing Sinclair's home. But the looked-for arrival contrasts with an unidentified person turns up, unlooked-for and unannounced, washed on to the shore.

There's a terseness to this play, a cautious abrasiveness in relationships, reflected in the dialogue and the tension of Philip Wilson's production. But, while it brings a gravity contrasting Taylor's lightness of mood, Galgani's play lacks the specifics which are needed to give it life - to make it matter.

Here. the characters remain in a protective, hostile shell, compunded by the bleak dark abstraction of Wilson's stark setting and Neil Austin's subdued lighting. Play and production keep their distance, holding the audience at arm's-length without suggesting any reason we might want to come closer to them. Such poetic austerity can pay off, but needs to be designed precisely and to have key concrete details as landmarks in the bleak dramatic landscape.

Moffat: Liam Brennan.
Mary Gear: Molly Innes.
John: Michael Moreland.
Found Man: Adam Reeves.
Agnes: Siobhan Reilly.
Rafter: John Stahl.

Director/Designer: Philip Wilson.
Lighting: Neil Austin.
Sound: Gareth Fry.

2005-08-23 14:11:14