Outrun

So I was sitting around in the morning watching Olympics (quickly becoming an expert in taekwondo and speed climbing obviously) when, with members of my family out to a show, I decided to grab a ticket for the lunchtime performance of Cyrano at The Traverse - and what an absolute treat it was. A gender-flipped, 'queer romantic comedy' (their description) that was funny, sharp, knowing, and with Australian writer/actor Virginia Gay just terrific in the title role. Crowd-pleasing as owt, was there anyone who left without a huge smile on their face?

Into town to meet up with My Lot for a cheap three course late lunch at Edinburgh institution Chez Jules but, zut alors, no tables. I say I'll wait, madame says "if you want to, but you'll be waiting 'til Sunday". You mean they don't keep a few tables set aside for locals at this time of year? Ahem. We 'slummed it' with some delicious Asian-fusion dishes at Ka Pao in the St. James instead, no sympathy required.

Teatime comedy at Hive, someone I'd meant to see last year and I was really looking forward to seeing her but, for me (and my partner too I should add) Shetlander Marjolein Robertson didn't really do it I'm afraid. In the interest of balance, that link there is a very positive review of her show so....each to their own.

Rain and buses and Edinburgh and August is an unwieldy combination so no time for anything before making our way v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y to Morningside for The Outrun at Church Hill Theatre, part of the International Festival. A hugely impressive production with Isis Hainsworth fantastic in the lead role and never off stage. Soundtrack, visuals, film projections, there's a lot going on for sure but so very well done.

Orcadian