Let’s start with the title of the play. The positives include the fact that the four letter word in the title will grab your attention straight away and it will hit its target audience. The negatives include the issue that you’re going to dramatically reduce any radio coverage you are going to get because, while online and in print, it can be censored adequately enough, on radio it just doesn’t work, no matter how you dress it up. It’s easier to just promote a different show and sidestep this show.
While we are no prudes on Fringe Radio we have a responsibility to our varied audience, and with our shows going out at 5pm it’s not a show that we can help promote on air, other than on our reviews page. We are broadcasting on 10 radio stations in Scotland via syndication and we have to follow the rules.
But here I can certainly talk about the show starring American Catherine Taaffe, which is a one-woman play at a very good and suitable venue at the Playground 2 at Zoo Playground. It’s a good venue because it’s small enough to house around 50 people who are right up close and personal – literally on top of the stage and you cannot get much closer without actually taking one step forward. So that is good. It means the talent doesn’t have to be miked up and you can hear them clearly if they choose not to wear one.
The one negative about the venue is that there is no air conditioning in the place and many people in the audience were struggling to stay awake – not because Catherine didn’t hold the attention, but purely because it was so hot in there. It really did feel nearer to 40 degrees than 30. Fair play to all who got through that issue and out the other side, and to Catherine herself for working through her play in challenging conditions.
She did a fine job, the play was well written and immaculately performed and the audience in on the night I went were very appreciative of her fine acting and the well-written script. The subject matter is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, in which case those people not into this kind of work can go elsewhere – but if this rocks your world you won’t be disappointed.
