The James Plays return in February 2016, touring after Edinburgh opening

In News, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Scotland, Touring by Thom DibdinLeave a Comment

Rona Munro’s immense historical trilogy The James Plays – about the Kings James I, II and III of Scotland – will return to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre in February 2016, then tour in a unique format nationally and internationally. The trilogy, originally produced by the NTS with the National Theatre and the EIF, will open for previews on 3 February 2016, opening on Saturday 6, and a full trilogy again on Saturday 13 February.

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THE DRIVER’S SEAT – Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

In London theatre, Plays, Regional theatre, Reviews, Scotland by Thom DibdinLeave a Comment

The National Theatre of Scotland’s adaptation of Muriel Spark’s The Driver’s Seat has a righteous fury, combined with a drive born out of cleverly harnessed technology and a tight ensemble. However, it does not always seem sure of itself and as a result is a curiosity rather than a convincing piece of theatre. Taking a stress-induced holiday from her job in an unspecified ‘North’, Lise travels to Naples, apparently seeking romance. It is not much of a spoiler to say she will end up murdered, as we are told this very early on. Instead the focus is on how and why this will happen.