ED2017 2/5 Reviews ED2017 Theatre Reviews

Pistorius: A Shakespearean Tragedy (The Mermaids Performing Arts Fund)

By | Published on Sunday 27 August 2017

Oscar Pistorius, Paralympic champion and Olympic competitor, shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. Here we see his life reimagined as a Shakespearean drama, from his frustrations and troubled family life to his eventual imprisonment. The use of language is intriguing, and the show has some clever elements, like Macbeth’s witches being transformed into three chat show hosts. But the courtroom scene drags on far too long, and doesn’t consider the later change in Pistorious’ verdict from culpable homicide to murder. Reeva Steenkamp is never seen, never given a voice, so Pistorius – a deeply unlikeable character here (and let’s not even start on non-disabled actors playing disabled roles) – remains the star of the show.

Greenside @ Infirmary Street.
tw rating 2/5 | [Gemma Scott]

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