ED2014 4/5 Reviews ED2014 Theatre Reviews

Civil Rogues (The Pleasance)

By | Published on Sunday 31 August 2014

A clever, funny little play about plays, and theatre: during Cromwell’s tenure a trio of actors flee for their lives, still in costume as women. They hide out as servants, until their royalist mistress decides to put on a play to spite the Roundheads… there are few surprises in how things unfold, but that doesn’t matter; the smart script draws on a rich theatrical tradition of Shakespeare, Restoration comedy and farce. Though crammed with little references, you don’t need a degree in literature to keep up, and the performances are great. There’s a warmth to the script, although the leather clad soldiers are perhaps a little too menacing at first, clashing with the relaxed banter and bonhomie.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Andrew Leask]



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