Beth Blakemore
As seen in:
The Student (Edinburgh),
The Wee Review
PhD in Hispanic Studies (moriscos and race-making in Spanish literature) 📖 Postdoctoral researcher 🇪🇸
Theatre Editor @theweereview 🎭
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Articles by Beth Blakemore
Alchemy Festival returns for its fifteenth edition
Now in its fifteenth year, Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival once again welcomes visual artists and fans alike to Hawick on 1-4 May with a multidisciplinary programme exploring identity, belonging, and extraction. Alchemy has long prided itself on being an experimental and collaborative space that brings together the local, national, and international in order to stimulate critically-engaged conversations about the world and art’s place within it.
10 years of the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) is back and bigger than ever before, bringing Spanish cinema to Edinburgh and beyond. Since its conception back in 2013, the ESFF has steadily grown over the past 10 years.
As Far As Impossible
Inspired by the testimonies of workers for the International Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, Tiago Rodrigues’ As Far As Impossible faces the impossible task of conveying the struggles of those who experience indescribable horrors and situations we do not dare to imagine.
Renato Cisneros You Shall Leave Your Land
In a compelling stand-alone prequel to his award-winning memoir, Peruvian author and journalist Renato Cisneros once again delves into his family’s past, exploring the rippling effects of family secrets, double-lives, and uncertainty around one’s roots on one family over the course of nearly two centuries. Those who have read Cisneros’ previous work will notice traces of the stories previously shared by the author.
Renato Cisneros You Shall Leave Your Land
In a compelling stand-alone prequel to his award-winning memoir, Peruvian author and journalist Renato Cisneros once again delves into his family’s past, exploring the rippling effects of family secrets, double-lives, and uncertainty around one’s roots on one family over the course of nearly two centuries. Those who have read Cisneros’ previous work will notice traces of the stories previously shared by the author.
Disney's The Lion King - Review - The Wee Review
Disney classic continues to be a roaring success More than two years after it was scheduled to appear (but sadly postponed by the pandemic), the touring cast of The Lion King have finally circled back to Edinburgh to bring the beloved Disney story to life. Since it first appeared on Broadway in 1997, the stage adaptation has delighted audiences of all ages.
Ballet Black: Double Bill
A captivating celebration of Ballet Black’s legacy and achievements Marking their 20th anniversary, Ballet Black’s Double Bill is a defiant celebration of their achievements, silencing their critics while reminding audiences why they are such an exciting dance company to watch. Directed by company founder and Artistic Director, Cassa Pancho, Say It Loud commemorates Ballet Black’s beginnings, influences, triumphs, and trials.
hang - Review - The Wee Review
A relentlessly unsettling exploration of trauma and retribution A striking exploration of trauma and retribution, debbie tucker green’s speculative play hang is relentlessly unsettling in nature. While promoting the production’s Scottish premiere at the Tron Theatre, very little is given away regarding the play’s premise. We are told that “a crime has been admitted… The victim has a choice to make”.
Seven Against Edinburgh
Musicians can find inspiration from the unlikeliest of places. In the case of Seven Against Edinburgh, a young, all-female, pop-punk group look to their city’s history for their new sound, discovering a story that needs to be heard. Becky Hope-Palmer’s new gig-theatre show is a lively piece with a poignant message at its heart. When “The Patriarchy Slayers” manage to secure a gig but find they can only perform original material, they team up with some of their fellow classmates to find their muse.
Mt. Doubt at the Piano
Mt. Doubt frontman, Leo Bargery, takes to the stage alone in a mesmerising night of music – both old and new If you haven’t heard of Mt. Doubt before now, it’s no exaggeration that you have been missing out on a wealth of Scottish talent. Having released their first album in 2015, tonight Edinburgh-based frontman Leo Bargery goes alone with a mesmerising night of music – both old and new.
Edinburgh International Festival announces 75th anniversary programme
Celebrating 75 years of bringing artists from around the world to the Scottish capital, the Edinburgh International Festival have announced a programme with collaboration, sustainability, and connectedness at its heart. With COVID restrictions set to (hopefully) be a thing of the past come August, the 2022 EIF season sees 14 venues host 87 unique events, with over 2,300 artists coming from six continents.
SIX - Review - The Wee Review
Since it first appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s pop musical, SIX, has found international fame. Despite a few setbacks caused by the pandemic, the show has made its way to both the West End and Broadway and had songs go viral on social media. Now, a UK tour brings the show back to where it all began, and it receives a rapturous welcome home.
The Scent of Roses
Royal Lyceum Theatre Image: Tim Morozzo An, at times, overly complex story of family, relationships, and the lies we tell Advertisement Celebrating its world premiere at the Lyceum Theatre, Zinnie Harris’ The Scent of Roses is a story of family, relationships, and the lies we tell ourselves and one another. On an unusually hot evening, Christopher (Peter Forbes) finds himself locked in his bedroom with his wife, Luci (Neve McIntosh), who wants to “have a conversation”.
Ariana Harwicz - Tender - Review - The Wee Review
Readers of Ariana Harwicz’s previous works, Die, My Love and Feebleminded, may think they are prepared for whatever her latest novel, Tender, has in store for them. Yet, the Argentinian author finds new ways to shock and affront her reader in this relentless and disorientating conclusion to her “involuntary trilogy”. Tender exposes its reader to the unravelling mind of its unnamed protagonist, a single mother living with her teenage son.
Wilf - Review - The Wee Review
Filthy and fiercely funny, James Ley’s new play Wilf is a whirlwind ride that sees its newly single protagonist spiral out of control. Calvin is in need of a change. Stuck in an abusive relationship and recently abandoned by his mother for the Bible Belt, Calvin’s way out comes in the form of a used Volkswagen that he affectionately names Wilf. 104 driving lessons and 12 test attempts later, he finally has his license and the chance to leave his old life behind.
Life is a Dream - Review - The Wee Review | Scotland's arts and culture magazine
In an evening filled with spectacle and wonder, Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s Life is a Dream (La vida es sueño) – a story of fate, free will, and the fragility of reality – is stunningly brought to life on the Lyceum’s stage. A story of fate, free will, and the fragility of reality, Life is a Dream follows Segismundo, a prince who has spent his life imprisoned due to a prophecy foreseeing him as a tyrannous ruler.
Brickmakers - Review - The Wee Review
A visceral exploration of family rivalries and following in your father’s footsteps Her third work to be published in English, Selva Almada’s novel, Brickmakers, is a visceral exploration of family rivalries and following in your father’s footsteps. Brickmakers opens with its protagonists, Pájaro Tamai and Marciano Miranda, in their final moments.
The Enemy - Review - The Wee Review
The first touring production from the National Theatre of Scotland since the start of the pandemic, The Enemy is a timely and suspenseful exploration of morality, self-preservation, and corruption in today’s society. A reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, Kieran Hurley’s adaptation transports the 1882 Norwegian drama to modern-day Scotland.
The Covid Requiem
On 13 March 2020, Scotland announced the first confirmed death of a patient due to COVID-19. Since then, 10,687 other people* have died as a result of COVID or due to complications caused by the virus. After 18 months of relentless figures, it’s easy to lose sight of what those numbers mean. In The Covid Requiem, writers and performers Jo Clifford and Lesley Orr seek to rectify this, offering a touching memorial for the lives that were lived and cruelly cut short.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
After a month of excellent in-person performances of various musical and theatrical genres and styles, the Edinburgh International Festival ends with on a euphoric high with a spectacular performance from Laura Mvula. Promoting her third studio album, Pink Noise, the music and atmosphere at Edinburgh Park are electric from the get-go. Matching her aesthetic to the album’s 80s-pop theme, Mvula appears onstage in an oversized, mint green blazer with a hot pink keytar in tow.
A Toast to the People: Francesca Beard & Joelle Taylor
Old College Quad Image: Jamal Yussuff-Adelakun Spoken-word series ends on a celebratory note Advertisement On the final night of Edinburgh International Festival’s A Toast to the People series, spoken-word artists Francesca Beard and Joelle Taylor end the week on a celebratory note with pieces on survival, connection, and even a few drinking songs. First up is Taylor, who takes advantage of the set-up to promote her latest work, C+nto: & Othered Poems, written during the lockdown.
A Toast to the People: Vanessa Kisuule & Lemn Sissay
A joyful and high-energy pairing that brings warmth to a chilly evening of poetry On what is a rather chilly August evening, Vanessa Kisuule and Lemn Sissay bring warmth and high energy to an engaging evening of poetry. The third evening of the A Toast to the People series opens with Vanessa Kisuule, a Bristol-based writer and performer with more than 10 poetry slam titles under her belt.
A Toast to the People: Inua Ellams & Saul Williams
On the second evening of the A Toast to the People series, the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh International Book Festival treat their audience to two poetry powerhouses. Though distinct in their approach and delivery of their sets, Inua Ellams and Saul Williams share a magnetic presence onstage, resulting in an exceptional evening of poetry and discussion that covers a plethora of subjects.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
When we talk about medicine, we often think of something that can cure, treat or diagnose an illness – or at least numb the symptoms. Yet when we talk about someone “getting a taste of their own medicine”, the word takes on an entirely different meaning – suggesting someone deserving of punishment. This extends to Enda Walsh’s new show Medicine, where the mystery of whether his protagonist, John, is being helped or harmed by those around him will leave you reeling long after the show has ended.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Assembly Roxy Burnt Out Thoughtful visual and dance theatre muses on fossil fuels, forest fires and climate change Nicolson Square We Came To Dance Vibrant immersive musical packs a punch with an optimistic message about our chance to tackle climate change Edinburgh Festival Fringe [ONLINE] Open Energetic play about love and magic is tricky Pleasance Courtyard Skank Saucy stand up provides food for thought Scottish Storytelling Centre Thunderstruck An unbelievable, seismic performance that...
Adventures with the Painted People
Originally commissioned as part of Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Shades of Tay project, Adventures with the Painted People – David Greig’s first original play since 2013 – was first performed as a radio series on BBC Radio 3. Now, finally able to bring the production to the stage, director Elizabeth Newman maximises the wonder of Pitlochry’s natural surroundings to tell the story of a charming encounter between two worlds.
Wrapped Up In This [ONLINE]
Take Me Somewhere [ONLINE] Image courtesy of Mele Broomes A collaboration par excellence of performance and direction, stage production, and cinematography Advertisement Mele Broomes’ Wrapped Up In This is a collaboration par excellence of performance and direction, stage production, and cinematography.
Angela [ONLINE] | Review | The Wee Review | Scotland's arts and culture magazine
The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Pitlochry Festival Theatre [ONLINE] Mark Ravenhill delivers a touching tribute to an adoring mother Advertisement The first instalment of The Lyceum and Pitlochry Festival Theatre’sSound Stage series, Mark Ravenhill’s Angela is a sentimental story about memory, a mother’s love, and a shared passion for ballet. Autobiographical in nature, Ravenhill’s work centres around his late mother, Angela, and her struggle with Alzheimer’s in later life.
My Arm [ONLINE] | Review | The Wee Review | Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Shedinburgh Fringe Festival [ONLINE] An adaptation that struggles with the digital format, but still manages to engage audiences Advertisement Since its first appearance at the Traverse during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2003, Tim Crouch’s My Arm has captivated audiences all over the world. An award-winning production, it has been lauded for the ways it challenges theatrical conventions and the art of storytelling.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Since its first appearance at the Fringe back in 2017, Frances Poet’sAdam has become a celebrated piece of Scottish theatre. Over the past year, through Ghost Light and the Shedinburgh Festival, audiences can be able to catch glimpses of the original production. Now, thanks to the BBC and a collaboration with Hopscotch Films, audiences are treated to a televised re-interpretation of the award-winning drama.
Karla Suárez - Havana Year Zero
An intriguing, if frustrating tale, about discovery, deception, and trying to get people the recognition they deserve Advertisement Since its inception in 2017, Charco Press – an independent publisher based in Edinburgh – has sought to bring English-speaking readers the best works of fiction Latin America has to offer. Its first Cuban novel, Karla Suárez’s Havana Year Zero, is an intriguing tale about discovery, deception, and trying to get people the recognition they deserve.
Animated Womxn [ONLINE]
The second MANIPULATE event to showcase the wonders of animation, Animated Womxn is a celebration of some of the exceptional womxn working in the visual arts industry. Through a programme of 12 VFX and stop-motion shorts, Puppet Animation Scotland have curated an evening spotlighting a group of extremely skilled animators and storytellers from all over the world (including some home-grown talent).
Jennie Lee: Tomorrow is a New Day [ONLINE]
There are many things that could go wrong when writing a play about someone’s life and achievements: you run the risk of missing out key events due to time constrictions, favouring personal milestones over public ones (or vice versa), or even run out of material. Yet in his play Jennie Lee: Tomorrow is a New Day, Matthew Knights brings a remarkable woman to life, creating a touching piece of theatre that celebrates Jennie Lee’s greatest accomplishments.
SceneToSeen series [ONLINE]
Interabang Productions [via YouTube] Image: Interabang Productions Interabang Productions impress with original writing and skilful filmmaking Advertisement Staying creative during a global crisis, Interabang Productions have created SceneToSeen, a six-part online series of cinematic shorts featuring original writing and strong performances from the Scottish theatre company. It’s a relief to discover that not every episode revolves around COVID-19 and lockdown.
Scenes for Survival: Week 2 [ONLINE]
National Theatre of Scotland [via YouTube] Image: National Theatre of Scotland A captivating trio of scenes showcasing Scotland’s acting and writing talents Advertisement Following the successful launch of Scenes for Survival on 27 May, the National Theatre of Scotland in collaboration with BBC Scotland have matched the high standard of its first six scenes with an excellent trio of monologues for us to enjoy. Week two’s first offering is an extract of Gerda Stevenson‘s play, Skeleton Wumman.
COVID-19: Theatres close across Scotland
As the Scottish Government restricts gatherings of over 500 people, theatres begin to cancel and postpone events Last week, the Scottish Government announced that regulations to crowd gatherings were to be put in place in a bid to restrict the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). From Monday 16th March, the government has asked that events involving more than 500 people not take place. This includes cultural gatherings such as theatre performances.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Summerhall A charming piece of puppetry brimming with childlike wonder Advertisement One of many shows entertaining audiences attending the Manipulate festival at Summerhall this past Saturday, Journey is a short yet striking piece of puppetry, which transports its protagonist and audience into other curious worlds.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Stereo Photo courtesy of Shrinking Violet An eccentric and engrossing piece of theatre that gives a voice back to the trans community Advertisement Having a company of actors open a show by announcing that you are wrong to expect a normal theatrical experience can be a little unnerving. Hearing that the show they are about to perform is also not the show they planned to make is even less reassuring.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Taking advantage of the rising interest in investigative journalism and true crime podcasts, The Afflicted plays with our fascination with the inexplicable. Based on true events surrounding the ‘outbreak’ of a Tourettes-like illness among a group of American schoolgirls, groupwork theatre’s debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a thrilling multimedia and physical theatre performance.
Connie Wookey: Denied
In her Fringe stand-up debut, Denied, Connie Wookey takes us across the Atlantic and entertains us with stories of visa woes, life as a struggling actor, and a journey across the Canadian border for a funeral that almost ended in her own. While you may think you are walking in to see a one-woman show, Wookey is not alone; she is in fact accompanied by Cassio, her sturdy, second-hand keyboard. Wookey finds it easier to express herself through song, and Cassio brings the beat to Wookey’s song list.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Harrowing experiences of war and displacement are relived by Glasgow’s Syrian community Following their debut at Platform in Glasgow back in February 2019, the cast of Terra Incognita’s show The Trojans have made their way to Edinburgh for a one-off performance of their Euripidean-inspired play at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Half A String’s blend of Greek mythology and folk music transform a simple story into a beautiful piece of storytelling. With words not spoken but sung, Boulder tells the story of one man’s determination to succeed through the use of exquisitely-crafted puppets and animation. The aesthetic of Boulder is a marvel to behold.
Ed Byrne: If I'm Honest
Byrne is as self-deprecating and cynical as ever in this hilarious hour of comedy about raising his kids Following a sell-out 2017 Fringe run, Ed Byrne returns to Edinburgh with a side-splitting show about family life, getting older and passing questionable traits onto his kids.
Islander: A New Musical
It has to be said that Summerhall’s Roundabout theatre is the perfect stage for Amy Draper’s Islander: A New Musical. Contained by the theatre in the round set-up, the secluded nature of the island is already felt by the audience as they wait for the show to begin.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Note: This review is from the 2019 Fringe For many of the people sitting in the audience for Bobby & Amy, the foot and mouth epidemic may feel like a distant memory, forgotten after the bird and swine flu outbreaks that followed. For any millennials in the room, they may not have any recollections of the disease at all – only heard about it in passing. In this two-hander written by Emily Jenkins, we go back to the late 90s, just before the culling and closed off paths in the countryside.
In the Shadow of the Black Dog
In spite of the rising public awareness of male suicide, mental health is still an issue some men avoid discussing. The title of Daniel Hallissey’s hard-hitting show — In Shadow of the Black Dog — in some ways reflects this, the phrase a common allusion to depression. Yet, this solo performance, based on true events, does not cower away from the subject, instead choosing the confront the beast head on.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Scottish Storytelling Centre Mara Menzies gifts us with her storyteller finesse once again In all of Edinburgh, there is not another venue as apt as the Scottish Storytelling Centre for Mara Menzies’ show Blood and Gold. As her audience files into the Netherbow Theatre, Menzies gazes out of her audience, an image of elegance and poise. There are sure to be high expectations following the reception of her 2018 show, The Illusion of Truth, and we are all eager for the story to begin.
How Not To Drown
When we read or see news about asylum seekers or illegal immigrants coming to the UK or into Europe, in the media much of the attention is about the crossing these individuals must make. In interviews, refugees talk about the better life they hope to have and the risk they are willing to take to make that often treacherous voyage.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Visceral, unsettling and merciless in its portrayal of suspicion and blind persecution, Helen Pickett’s adaptation of Arthur Miller’s 1953 play The Crucible is an astounding piece of performance art. Faultless in its design and direction, Scottish Ballet’s interpretation is one which far surpasses the original.
Scotland's arts and culture magazine
Rose Lipman Building Image: Ali Wright A class group project explores the dangerous repercussions of a collective identity. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In school we are told that by learning about history and George Santayana’s sentiment, we are working to prevent atrocities of the past from reoccurring.
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