ED2013 3/5 Reviews ED2013 Theatre Reviews

Signs of Our Occupy (Oakland School for the Arts)

By | Published on Tuesday 20 August 2013

A hugely impressive stage and the rousing songs of Aretha Franklin transport us from Edinburgh to the Occupy Oakland protests, witnessed by this children’s company. The premise is effectively delivered: each character is based around a billboard seen during the protests, and a monologue has been written to deliver the emotions and feelings within each slogan. However, there’s a definite sense of self-indulgence and the feeling that we’re only seeing one side of the story, until a policeman appears and offers some blue collar conservatism. With this introduction, the range of characters becomes more expansive, and the story is mainly successful at avoiding stereotypes or clichés.  A promising production from what seems like the coolest school in the west.

theSpace @ Venue45, until 10 Aug, 4.20pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [James Hampson]

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