Rebecca Mahar
@rcmahar.bsky.social
Theatre criticism & thoughts at speakthespeech.blog / speakthespeech.bsky.social . Also writing at @alledintheatre.bsky.social.
Actor, fight & intimacy director, lighting designer, Shakespearean, scholar, teacher, writer, runner, lifter, loon. she/her.
Actor, fight & intimacy director, lighting designer, Shakespearean, scholar, teacher, writer, runner, lifter, loon. she/her.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: I’ve got a soft spot for Fiddler, and this tour of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production absolutely smashed it.
REVIEW: Fiddler On The Roof at the Festival Theatre.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/fiddler-on-t...
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Captivating" says @rcmahar.bsky.social
of "a rendition that is sombre, hopeful and humorous, in the best tradition of this classic musical."
Pics: Marc Brenner and Johan Persson
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/fiddler-on-t...
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Captivating" says @rcmahar.bsky.social
of "a rendition that is sombre, hopeful and humorous, in the best tradition of this classic musical."
Pics: Marc Brenner and Johan Persson
September 11, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Latest review for Æ: I’ve got a soft spot for Fiddler, and this tour of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production absolutely smashed it.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
EdFringe review for @alledintheatre.bsky.social: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ROCK OF AGES from @bareproductions.bsky.social is a smash hit, bringing a radically human approach to this classic jukebox musical. Read the full review here: www.alledinburghtheatre.com/rock-of-ages...
August 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
EdFringe review for @alledintheatre.bsky.social: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ROCK OF AGES from @bareproductions.bsky.social is a smash hit, bringing a radically human approach to this classic jukebox musical. Read the full review here: www.alledinburghtheatre.com/rock-of-ages...
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
@edfringe.bsky.social is upon us, and I’ll be there every day reviewing some of the most exciting shows the festival has to offer! My diary’s filling up, but I’ve still got some space left, especially the 10-25th. Comment below if you’re bringing a show you’d like me to review! #edfringereviewer
July 30, 2025 at 2:11 PM
@edfringe.bsky.social is upon us, and I’ll be there every day reviewing some of the most exciting shows the festival has to offer! My diary’s filling up, but I’ve still got some space left, especially the 10-25th. Comment below if you’re bringing a show you’d like me to review! #edfringereviewer
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: a darkly gilded retelling of the Midas myth.
OUT OF TOWN REVIEW
THIS IS A GIFT @pitlochryft.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/this-is-a-gi...
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Luminous" says @rcmahar.bsky.social
"Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir’s Leith-based retelling of the Midas myth creeps into your heart & slowly squeezes it in a golden vice."
📸 Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
THIS IS A GIFT @pitlochryft.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/this-is-a-gi...
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Luminous" says @rcmahar.bsky.social
"Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir’s Leith-based retelling of the Midas myth creeps into your heart & slowly squeezes it in a golden vice."
📸 Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
July 9, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Latest review for Æ: a darkly gilded retelling of the Midas myth.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: THE GREAT GATSBY at @pitlochryft.bsky.social is a transcendent adaptation of Fitzgerald’s classic novel.
OUT OF TOWN REVIEW:
The Great Gatsby at @pitlochryft.bsky.social and touring to @derbytheatre.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-great-ga...
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sensational" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of "a dazzling, hopeful, forlorn and febrile production".
📸 Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
The Great Gatsby at @pitlochryft.bsky.social and touring to @derbytheatre.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-great-ga...
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sensational" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of "a dazzling, hopeful, forlorn and febrile production".
📸 Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
July 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Latest review for Æ: THE GREAT GATSBY at @pitlochryft.bsky.social is a transcendent adaptation of Fitzgerald’s classic novel.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Two days and three shows at @pitlochryft.bsky.social in a whirlwind jaunt north. Stay tuned for the reviews, coming soon on @alledintheatre.bsky.social!
July 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Two days and three shows at @pitlochryft.bsky.social in a whirlwind jaunt north. Stay tuned for the reviews, coming soon on @alledintheatre.bsky.social!
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
I’m on assignment for @alledintheatre.bsky.social in Pitlochry today and tomorrow, reviewing at @pitlochryft.bsky.social! This is my first time in beautiful Pitlochry and I can’t wait to see what the Festival Theatre has in store.
July 2, 2025 at 12:06 PM
I’m on assignment for @alledintheatre.bsky.social in Pitlochry today and tomorrow, reviewing at @pitlochryft.bsky.social! This is my first time in beautiful Pitlochry and I can’t wait to see what the Festival Theatre has in store.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ!
REVIEW
Twelfth Night from @theforthact.bsky.social in Saughton Park and Gardens.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/twelfth-nigh...
"★★★☆☆ Droll" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of an al fresco production which is "charming, and generally manages the threads of its sub-plots well."
Pics: Andrew Morris
Twelfth Night from @theforthact.bsky.social in Saughton Park and Gardens.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/twelfth-nigh...
"★★★☆☆ Droll" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of an al fresco production which is "charming, and generally manages the threads of its sub-plots well."
Pics: Andrew Morris
June 27, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Latest review for Æ!
I have, not for the first time, stayed up irresponsibly late reading one of @maryrussell.bsky.social’s memoirs on the day it arrived. I do hope that this is one of my habits, along with being thrown out of libraries at closing time, of which Miss Russell might approve.
June 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I have, not for the first time, stayed up irresponsibly late reading one of @maryrussell.bsky.social’s memoirs on the day it arrived. I do hope that this is one of my habits, along with being thrown out of libraries at closing time, of which Miss Russell might approve.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
REVIEW: @rawmaterialarts.bsky.social LEAR is “★★★★★ – Blistering…relentless, raw, touching, and heartbreaking, LEAR is a tragedy that demands attention.”
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
REVIEW: LEAR (Raw Material)
www.speakthespeech.blog
June 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
REVIEW: @rawmaterialarts.bsky.social LEAR is “★★★★★ – Blistering…relentless, raw, touching, and heartbreaking, LEAR is a tragedy that demands attention.”
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
REVIEW: @lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social THE MOUNTAINTOP – ★★★★½ – Electric; a bold new staging of Katori Hall’s brilliant, unvarnished speculative exploration of the final hours of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life.
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
REVIEW: The Mountaintop (Royal Lyceum Edinburgh)
www.speakthespeech.blog
June 5, 2025 at 10:18 AM
REVIEW: @lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social THE MOUNTAINTOP – ★★★★½ – Electric; a bold new staging of Katori Hall’s brilliant, unvarnished speculative exploration of the final hours of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life.
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/06/revi...
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: I adored this new adaptation of The Merry Widow! An absolute smash on every front.
REVIEW "⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Scintillating" for THE MERRY WIDOW from @scottishopera.bsky.social at the Festival Theatre
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-merry-wi...
"a scintillating new adaptation" says @rcmahar.bsky.social Rebecca "bringing its setting into the 20th century, & its sensibilities into the 21st."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-merry-wi...
"a scintillating new adaptation" says @rcmahar.bsky.social Rebecca "bringing its setting into the 20th century, & its sensibilities into the 21st."
June 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Latest review for Æ: I adored this new adaptation of The Merry Widow! An absolute smash on every front.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: @fbombtheatre.bsky.social’s Monumental is an exciting piece of work addressing an important gap in public art and commemoration.
REVIEW: @fbombtheatre.bsky.social with the MONUMENTAL walking tour
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/monumental-f...
"★★★★☆ Momentous" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of a show which is "an outstanding success."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/monumental-f...
"★★★★☆ Momentous" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of a show which is "an outstanding success."
May 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Latest review for Æ: @fbombtheatre.bsky.social’s Monumental is an exciting piece of work addressing an important gap in public art and commemoration.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: this play has a special place in my heart, and I was delighted with Arkle’s rendition of Tom Basden’s pointedly up-to-date adaptation.
REVIEW: Accidental Death of an Anarchist from Arkle Theatre Company at the Hill Street Theatre:
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/accidental-d...
"★★★★☆ Timely" says @rcmahar.bsky.social: "John Lally’s direction of this timely farce is tight and careful".
📸Rob Shields
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/accidental-d...
"★★★★☆ Timely" says @rcmahar.bsky.social: "John Lally’s direction of this timely farce is tight and careful".
📸Rob Shields
May 16, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Latest review for Æ: this play has a special place in my heart, and I was delighted with Arkle’s rendition of Tom Basden’s pointedly up-to-date adaptation.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
"AI" uses em-dashes because the writers whose (appropriated) work it's trained on use them. I use them a lot, personally, and of course just about everything I've ever written was chucked into the training bin without my consent or assent. So, you know, whenever you see an "AI" em-dash, think of me.
Relying on "does this essay use em-dashes" as a surefire way to weed out AI generated papers is a huge bummer. It's like "using big words" as a giveaway.
May 15, 2025 at 11:52 PM
"AI" uses em-dashes because the writers whose (appropriated) work it's trained on use them. I use them a lot, personally, and of course just about everything I've ever written was chucked into the training bin without my consent or assent. So, you know, whenever you see an "AI" em-dash, think of me.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe is an absolutely outstanding version of a much-love, much-adapted story. “When There Was Spring” will be in my head for weeks!
REVIEW. The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe at the Festival Theatre, Glasgow King's & UK tour:
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-lion-the...
"🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Exceptional!" says @rcmahar.bsky.social, "full of spectacle from curtain to curtain: packed with illusions, sumptuous design and technical bombast."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-lion-the...
"🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Exceptional!" says @rcmahar.bsky.social, "full of spectacle from curtain to curtain: packed with illusions, sumptuous design and technical bombast."
May 15, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Latest review for Æ: Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe is an absolutely outstanding version of a much-love, much-adapted story. “When There Was Spring” will be in my head for weeks!
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: I wanted to like this Dracula, but it had both too much and too little going on to be successful.
REVIEW: @blackeyedtheatre.bsky.social's Dracula, seen at the Glasgow Pavilion:
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/dracula-blac...
"★★☆☆☆ Atmospheric" says @rcmahar.bsky.social "a highlight reel of abridgement, lacking in connective tissue, pace, urgency and interest, despite excellent performances..."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/dracula-blac...
"★★☆☆☆ Atmospheric" says @rcmahar.bsky.social "a highlight reel of abridgement, lacking in connective tissue, pace, urgency and interest, despite excellent performances..."
May 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Latest review for Æ: I wanted to like this Dracula, but it had both too much and too little going on to be successful.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ! I loved this production of The Crucible from Scottish Ballet and visionary choreographer Helen Pickett.
REVIEW! Scottish Ballet's The Crucible at Festival Theatre:
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-crucible...
"🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Visceral" says @rcmahar.bsky.social. "A fresh retelling of an old story, and an exemplary demonstration of the power of ballet as a storytelling medium."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/the-crucible...
"🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Visceral" says @rcmahar.bsky.social. "A fresh retelling of an old story, and an exemplary demonstration of the power of ballet as a storytelling medium."
May 3, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Latest review for Æ! I loved this production of The Crucible from Scottish Ballet and visionary choreographer Helen Pickett.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: a lovely rendition of Incognito, with stellar work by cast & crew.
REVIEW: EGTG take on Nick Payne's INCOGNITO at Assembly Roxy:
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/incognito-eg...
"★★★★☆ Earnest" says @rcmahar.bsky.social. "A production packed with lightning-fast transitions and versatile performances."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/incognito-eg...
"★★★★☆ Earnest" says @rcmahar.bsky.social. "A production packed with lightning-fast transitions and versatile performances."
May 1, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Latest review for Æ: a lovely rendition of Incognito, with stellar work by cast & crew.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Had the opportunity to see this new work from @notsoniceuk.bsky.social, a strong effort on a compelling subject.
REVIEW: Living with the Dead from Not So Nice at Augustine United Church:
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/living-with-...
"★★★☆☆ Thoughtful" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of a play that confronts the reality of death in its many forms. "Any show written by Cosette Bolt is one to get in your diary.":
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/living-with-...
"★★★☆☆ Thoughtful" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of a play that confronts the reality of death in its many forms. "Any show written by Cosette Bolt is one to get in your diary.":
April 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Had the opportunity to see this new work from @notsoniceuk.bsky.social, a strong effort on a compelling subject.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: This P&P was a hoot, be sure to catch it on the UK & Ireland tour if you can!
REVIEW: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*sort of) at the Festival Theatre
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/pride-and-pr...
"★★★★☆ Delightful" says @rcmahar.bsky.social. "Full of bright colours, superb comic timing, and dazzling moments of romantic sincerity amid the farce-like setting."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/pride-and-pr...
"★★★★☆ Delightful" says @rcmahar.bsky.social. "Full of bright colours, superb comic timing, and dazzling moments of romantic sincerity amid the farce-like setting."
April 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Latest review for Æ: This P&P was a hoot, be sure to catch it on the UK & Ireland tour if you can!
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
Latest review for Æ: DEATH OF A SALESMAN endures for a reason, and is navigated well by this production, despite a few flaws.
REVIEW:
DEATH OF A SALESMAN at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre.
alledinburghtheatre.com/death-of-a-s...
"★★★☆☆ Modern Tragedy" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of a @rawmaterialarts.bsky.social production that is "impactful, and proves the continuing relevance of Arthur Miller’s work."
📸: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre.
alledinburghtheatre.com/death-of-a-s...
"★★★☆☆ Modern Tragedy" says @rcmahar.bsky.social of a @rawmaterialarts.bsky.social production that is "impactful, and proves the continuing relevance of Arthur Miller’s work."
📸: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
March 21, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Latest review for Æ: DEATH OF A SALESMAN endures for a reason, and is navigated well by this production, despite a few flaws.
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
REVIEW: Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - “relentless…a shattering RSC debut from Thallon”
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/03/revi...
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/03/revi...
REVIEW: Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Hamlet - ★★★★★ RSC: Royal Shakespeare Theatre 17 March 2025 What more fitting way to christen a blog of this name than with a review of Ham...
www.speakthespeech.blog
March 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
REVIEW: Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - “relentless…a shattering RSC debut from Thallon”
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/03/revi...
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/03/revi...
Reposted by Rebecca Mahar
REVIEW: Our @rcmahar.bsky.social was at CHEF from @thegaiety.bsky.social Ayr, at the @traversetheatre.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/chef-ayr-gai...
"★★★☆☆ Turbulent" she says.... "a production that crackles with energy and is a showcase for Rebecca Benson’s solo performance."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/chef-ayr-gai...
"★★★☆☆ Turbulent" she says.... "a production that crackles with energy and is a showcase for Rebecca Benson’s solo performance."
March 16, 2025 at 8:51 PM
REVIEW: Our @rcmahar.bsky.social was at CHEF from @thegaiety.bsky.social Ayr, at the @traversetheatre.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/chef-ayr-gai...
"★★★☆☆ Turbulent" she says.... "a production that crackles with energy and is a showcase for Rebecca Benson’s solo performance."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/chef-ayr-gai...
"★★★☆☆ Turbulent" she says.... "a production that crackles with energy and is a showcase for Rebecca Benson’s solo performance."
I’m so grateful for the support of @alledintheatre.bsky.social as I launch this new venture- and don’t worry, I’m still reviewing there as well!
Speak the Speech, a new independent Edinburgh-based theatre criticism & arts blog from @rcmahar.bsky.social is now live! Read the introductory post here: www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/03/welc...
Welcome to Speak the Speech
“Speak the speech as I pronounc’d it to you, trippingly on the tongue” —Hamlet, 3.2 Welcome to Speak the Speech. If you’ve read any re...
www.speakthespeech.blog
March 15, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I’m so grateful for the support of @alledintheatre.bsky.social as I launch this new venture- and don’t worry, I’m still reviewing there as well!