Reviews of
Rowan Tree’s
HERMISTON
Edinburgh Festival
Fringe 2006
EVENING NEWS ****
Justice is
done to classic tale… A blistering story of love, loss and murder…
Three superb actors… A stunning performance [by Grant O’Rourke]…
It is this sense of storytelling which really gets into the nub of the
novel… Enjoy this timeless story… One of the best things
I have seen in a long time… It is as relevant today as ever.
THREE WEEKs ****
….a seamless play with superb
cast, script and direction…this is Scottish theatre at its finest……the
acting is faultless, with the three actors on stage without pause, able
to convincingly switch roles and transport us from one part of the story
to the next. Given the international aspect of the Edinburgh Festival,
it is great to see slick, understated theatre with real Scottish roots.
… traditional in its theatrical
approach, but much more than a costume drama…Carnegie has created
a stirring and dramatic three-hander about the Scots in changing
times. This company and this playwright have again reminded
us what a fascinating journey we have covered in the past…
A powerful
drama written and cleverly directed by John Carnegie…. The final scene
is compelling as revelation piles on revelation. Strong performances
from Michael Mackenzie as Hermiston, Grant O’Rourke as Archie and
Isabella Jarrett underpins the action. Hermiston is a welcome addition
to Scottish dramatic theatre.
THE STAGE - “Must
See”
…an enticing drama which
succeeds in bringing the politics of the late 18th century
enlightenment into a domestic love story..…….fantastically atmospheric
stuff…..three tight and versatile performances ……… remarkable
physical and vocal dexterity……
EDFRINGE.COM
*****
I cannot rate
this too highly, even as a non Scot. Highly professional performance,
clear simple and a terrific script. See it and enjoy.
THE LIST ****
..Simply and effectively staged…..grows
over its course into a searing story of love, murder and loss. Deftly
acted and delivered in glorious Scots tongue, it liberates the source
text in broad sweeps of energetic humour, passion, and folk song.
THE HERALD ***
One of the greatest yarns about
this country’s legal fraternity ….a handsomely robust affair….the
sort of play we don’t see much of……
THE SCOTSMAN ***
Filled with the stuff of drama
– family tension, love triangles, guilty secrets, political discord
and humour…a highly polished performance, with Michael Mackenzie and
Grant O’Rourke on fine form…
THE TIMES ***
…..The language is full of
full-bloodied, evocative Sots words that are now all but lost to us,
leaving us much the poorer……..it reeks of the Border ballads, and
it is a good yarn, well told.
SCOTTISH THEATRE WEB ***
Another testament to Rowan
Tree Theatre Company’s ability to make classics relevant and accessible…...its
themes of old values versus new values, country versus city are still
screamingly significant today….the style of “chamber theatre”
once again draws audiences into the action…an unfaltering production…
