Tag Archives: Guid Sisters

MARK THOMSON TALKS

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Along with the invitation to renew the annual subscription from the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh this year, came an invitation to join Mark Thomson for a glass of wine and informal chat in the stalls. I’m up for that.

So were several others. A cheery group of annual subscribers gathered and, while one man said he’d been a subscriber for around twenty years, we generally avoided any competition over that.

Me? Well, it’s continuous since 1983, as you ask.

Mark sensibly got the gripes out of the way early. We did not enjoy Guid Sisters – possibly one exception. It was nominated for an award as were six of last year’s seven productions. Personally, Guid sisters is the closest I’ve come to leaving a Lyceum production before the end. Why could one lady not see all the action in Doll’s House. Theatre was written for performance centre stage. I suppose that’s the declamatory style much favoured in the nineteenth century. Now, directors want folk to move. So what’s the defence? Theatre design and, by the way, if you want to watch square on there’s always the tv. This actually chimes with something I heard from the head manager at the EFT: not everyone wants a seat where they can read the super-titles.

Praises: a lady from the Borders is so pleased that the theatre does matinées as it enables her to get home afterwards. Taking Over the Asylum was universally enjoyed.

There’s no Shakespeare next year because there’s no place one would fit the overall arc of productions. Fair enough. And Edinburgh audiences don’t necessarily come out for Shakespeare.

The Young Lyceum will be in performance in July. A version of A Christmas Carol will be this year’s Christmas Show, with some music and suitable for all ages.

How are the actors chosen? Best person for the part, although some will always find a home.

I missed the end as I had another engagement, but it was a good exercise and one I hope they might repeat.

WRITING A NOVEL IN A MONTH:EVERYBODY’S DOING IT

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Writing a novel in a month – not possible? Everybody’s doing it.

Everybody’s writing novels, or would like to write novels, or has a novel in them. Some novels you read look as if they were written in a month and never re-visited before hitting the shelves.

I’ve tried writing a novel in a month myself. Radio Scotland ran events in Februarys – that time of the year when you do need a kick start – and I tried my hand. It was energising. So I’ve signed up for NaNoWriMo in order to push up the word count on my second novel.

What’s this? Second? Yes, everybody’s doing it. Even me.

Lovely MuseItUp of Canada are to e-publish my first novel in Mayish time, 2013. There will be further details…

Back to the present. I may update my progress here from time to time, but on the other hand, November has its own pressures in my family. It, lack of progress, may be too embarrassing.

On the subject of plays. I did see The Guid Sisters. Even now, I find it hard to describe the disappointment. Where was the plot? I stayed to the end, but I’ve spoken to people who simply couldn’t. I do so hope A Midsummer Night’s Dream is going to be better. Please.

Later in the month, writing permitting, I’m hoping to catch Tight-Laced Theatre’s new production at The Story-Telling Centre in Edinburgh. More from Robert Howat, Charlie & My ’45 together with Fiona McDonald’s I Promise I shall Not Play Billiards. Box Office 0131-556 9579  Check out Robert’s FB page for a smouldering hero to challenge James Bond.

Write a novel in a month – go on – everybody’s doing it.