Speak the Speech
@speakthespeech.bsky.social
Theatre criticism & thoughts from rcmahar.bsky.social in Edinburgh and beyond
Also writing at alledintheatre.bsky.social
Also writing at alledintheatre.bsky.social
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.
EDFRINGE REVIEW FOR @alledintheatre.bsky.social : Homo(sapien) is “★★★★☆ - Wholehearted,” a monodrama that is “heartfelt, hilarious, with just the right amount of hijinks to keep its audience guessing.”
📸: Nyah O’Connor.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/homosapien-c...
📸: Nyah O’Connor.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/homosapien-c...
August 3, 2025 at 11:44 PM
EDFRINGE REVIEW FOR @alledintheatre.bsky.social : Homo(sapien) is “★★★★☆ - Wholehearted,” a monodrama that is “heartfelt, hilarious, with just the right amount of hijinks to keep its audience guessing.”
📸: Nyah O’Connor.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/homosapien-c...
📸: Nyah O’Connor.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/homosapien-c...
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...
EDFRINGE REVIEW: @boxtalesoup.bsky.social’s 1984 is “★★★★★ – Fervid - …a raw, innovative adaptation of 1984 that strips the story back to its essentials.” Read the full review at speakthespeech.blog!
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/08/edfr...
📸: Box Tale Soup
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/08/edfr...
📸: Box Tale Soup
August 1, 2025 at 11:07 PM
EDFRINGE REVIEW: @boxtalesoup.bsky.social’s 1984 is “★★★★★ – Fervid - …a raw, innovative adaptation of 1984 that strips the story back to its essentials.” Read the full review at speakthespeech.blog!
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/08/edfr...
📸: Box Tale Soup
www.speakthespeech.blog/2025/08/edfr...
📸: Box Tale Soup
@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
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.
Latest review for Æ: GREASE at @pitlochryft.bsky.social holds up to the test of time and is given fresh life by a company of brilliant actor-musicians.
OUT OF TOWN REVIEW:
Grease at @pitlochryft.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/grease-pitlo...
"⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Raucous" says @rcmahar.bsky.social, "will surely leave its audience dancing in the aisles every time."
📸 Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
Grease at @pitlochryft.bsky.social
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/grease-pitlo...
"⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Raucous" says @rcmahar.bsky.social, "will surely leave its audience dancing in the aisles every time."
📸 Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
July 5, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Latest review for Æ: GREASE at @pitlochryft.bsky.social holds up to the test of time and is given fresh life by a company of brilliant actor-musicians.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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...
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...
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.
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.
Just been at MONUMENTAL from @fbombtheatre.bsky.social for @alledintheatre.bsky.social! Stay tuned for the full review of this innovate piece of walking-tour theatre soon.
May 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Just been at MONUMENTAL from @fbombtheatre.bsky.social for @alledintheatre.bsky.social! Stay tuned for the full review of this innovate piece of walking-tour theatre soon.
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.
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!
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.
Latest review for Æ: Southern Light’s Jesus Christ Superstar is an ambitious rendition of the challenging rock opera, highlighting the best of local theatre talent.
REVIEW: Southern Light's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the #Festival Theatre.
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/jesus-christ...
"★★★★☆ It’s the buzz" says @rcmahar.bsky.social: "the company is stacked with talent and commitment ... Catch this Superstar before it’s gone."
www.alledinburghtheatre.com/jesus-christ...
"★★★★☆ It’s the buzz" says @rcmahar.bsky.social: "the company is stacked with talent and commitment ... Catch this Superstar before it’s gone."
May 8, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Latest review for Æ: Southern Light’s Jesus Christ Superstar is an ambitious rendition of the challenging rock opera, highlighting the best of local theatre talent.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.