On Thursday I left Edinburgh and I'm missing the Royal Mile already. I think it will take me a while to actually absorb all the things I experienced up there but I'll give it my best shot now and look back at the great memories I have of the last ten days.

 

My role up in Edinburgh was to represent TEAM, promoting 'The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning' and also whilst I was there I got the chance to watch a range of shows with Welsh connections along with many others. It was great to be able to watch a wide variety of shows from drama, stand-up, mime to musicals and circus. 

 

I felt so lucky to be promoting a show like #NTWbradley, as I genuinely loved the show and Bradley's story really has affected me and I can't stop telling people about it.  It was such a moving show that has hugely important current issues and at times is difficult to watch because of the fact that what is been played is what Bradley has actually been through throughout his life. I'm so glad that the play is getting such great reviews including a five star from the Scottsman, but really I didn't expect anything less. I may seem biased but 'The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning' is probably my favourite performance that I've seen, it's everything I love about theatre including the fact that it is based in a non theatre setting, it's contemporary theatre with massively important messages. 

 

My Top Five of Edinburgh 2013

 

5.Bianco - NoFitState Circus

A few years back I watched Immortal by NoFitState, and watching Bianco reminds me of how I felt when I discovered this amazing contemporary circus company. They introduced me to contemporary performance, which led me to studying and loving physical theatre. NoFitState never fail to create an unforgettable atmosphere with such incredible acts. Their performance style is like no other and they always provide such beautiful imagery. Bianco was incredibly energetic and each separate act was stunning. I particularly like the fact that you are always moving around with the performance and the set so you can witness things from various perspectives. ....Thanks for reminding me why I love contemporary performance.

 

 

 

 

4. Who's Afraid of Rachel Roberts?– Torch Theatre

This was a great one woman show and I think the main reason I enjoyed it so much was the actress 'Helen Griffin' who played the part beautifully! She kept the audience captivated by her tales and always had us on her side, no matter how rude she was. The outrageous stories of her character were displayed fearlessly and it was done in such away that you could empathise with Rachel Roberts as she came from such a rooted place but things just spiralled beyond her control. throughout the plays you follow Rachel through her highs, her lows and her even lowers.

3.The Improverts

I saw the improverts on my first night in Edinburgh and had such a great time that I booked tickets to see them again on my last night. Especially as someone who has never seen an improvised performance before, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the it. When we walked in for the first time they were playing SClub7 when the audience entered, I knew that it was going to be my kind of show! The Team were hilarious and worked very well together. The setup of the show included a bunch of different improvisation games, that the audience could join in with too which made it all the more interesting.

2.Dr Frankenstien's travelling Freak show – Tin Shed Theatre

This show was so energetic, witty and creative. I enjoyed watching something so funny that had a great range of characters too. I would love to know how they thought of their characters and developed their traits because the cast embodied them so well and I actually believed that I was watching this absurd freak show. When the performance started I thought, there is no way they can keep this energy up, but they did and they never let their characters fade. When interacting with the audience it was hilarious, they were so quick and witty that they could react to any situation and make us laugh. I also enjoyed the puppetry and props they used, they were very inventive with a basic set. I truely had a great time watching this show.

1.The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning- National Theatre Wales

I know, I know.... It may be an obvious choice but I honestly did not see anything of a higher standard in Edinburgh this year. Bradley’s story has really affected me and I believe that I wouldn’t know enough about his background and his moving life story if I hadn’t of seen the show. The play shows us things that aren’t highlighted when you hear about Bradley Manning in the news. I hope people watch the show and realise that he is not just the so called Hero...Traitor....Wikileaks guy or Soldier that we all hear of him as, but also a human being who has faced some great struggles throughout his life leading up to his Radicalisation.

And I have to give a special recognition to..........'A Young Man Dressed As a Gorilla Dressed As an Old Man Sits Rockin...

This was probably the weirdest experience of the Edinburgh festival (and possibly my life) and I don't want to say too much as I think it is something you just have to experience there and then, if you go to Edinburgh next year it is definitely worth a watch, just for the sheer randomness of the whole thing and the ever so interesting audience reactions!

All in all I had a great time up in Edinburgh and it was great to see so much Welsh talent up there and catch up with friends who I have worked with on past performances. I am so grateful to National Theatre Wales TEAM for this amazing opportunity, I had the chance to really explore Edinburgh and the massive range of shows the Festival had to offer. I felt so at home up there and just loved the energy that surrounded the area, it was great to be surrounded in such a creative atmosphere. Being able to promote such a great show was definitely a plus!

I have decided that I am going to take a performance up next year (something I think I would have been clueless about if I hadn't been up there) and this is also thanks to some great advice from the people I spoke to up at the festival. That is one of the main things I love about National Theatre Wales, there is such a great network of people and staff that are always more than happy to help, support and offer advice. Since the first time I joined TEAM with National Theatre Wales I have never felt that I haven't had support, whether it be with University matters or career advice I know there is always someone I can send a quick e-mail to or meet up for a chat who will be more than willing to help me out. The sense of community and welcoming nature that National Theatre Wales stands by is refreshing....please don't ever change.

 

See you next year Edinburgh!

 

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