ED2022 3/5 Reviews ED2022 Theatre Reviews

Boy (Carly Wijs / De roovers / Teateri)

By Alan Cranston | Published on Tuesday 9 August 2022

My first five-star review of 2022. This is consummately professional theatre, art concealing art. The story unfolds with apparent straightforwardness, but we are both gripped and held back, we still observe as we are drawn in. I loved the imaginative staging but it’s the quiet intensity of the performances that makes the drama: this is confident, understated acting. From the programme, you might expect only the unfolding consequences of a single terrible mishap, but there are further terrible shocks along the way. This true story is, as told, perhaps not principally about gender identity, but rather about the challenges of parenting. What happened must have caused anger as well as great sadness but it is tenderly and powerfully told.

Summerhall, until 28 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Alan Cranston]