SB 'Two Pigeons' reviews 'Two Pigeons' reviews 'Bach Dances' reviews Wildor in reviews Scott in reviews recent SB reviews

Oh how sad that the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on a Saturday night was only half full for the SB double bill. I tried to figure out why - was it because Scottish audiences had never heard of Sarah Wildor - was it because of the furor surrounding the company - I really don't know. Bach Dances was OK, very pretty to look at but a bit incomprehensible. Yes, we figured out that Bach was the bloke in the wig and suit. What went on the rest of the time, apart from lots of running around for the corps (a la Mark Morris) was a bit of a mystery. Pretty courageous of North to precede Ashton with a piece of his own, tho.

As for Pigeons - I have seen better, BRB's performance especially.

Sarah I thought, seemed to slightly over-act the role of the daft, frustrating girlfriend in Act I and (I hate to say this) looked a bit "sturdy" . Maybe that fluffy costume didn't help. But maybe she just seemed to be over-acting against the slightly subdued presence of her partner.

Ivan Dinev (poor lad) did his very best and all credit to him, but there just wasn't that chemistry.

Lorna Scott, the Gypsy girl fared better, with some neat little dancing - but I sometimes think that the gypsy girl has more to get her teeth into as opposed to the saccharine young girl.

Sarah did, however, come into her own during the final scene, but I'm always a sucker for this. And again Dinev supported her bravely, but somehow there wasn't that spark.

I'm trying very hard not to be negative about this, and also not to be swayed by recent developments. The company tried its best, but just seemed to lack the verve and that special oomph which makes you feel that you've had a great night out.

I just hope Glasgow manages to raise a bigger audience.