LAST PERFORMANCE Creepie Stool

CREEPIE Stool has enjoyed a spectacular run in the hall at St John's Church, as part of Just Festival 2013. You can catch the final performance at 8.30pm tonight, Monday 26th August. 

"A flair for irony, subtle provocation, detailed observation and wry wit," says EdinburghSpotlight of Scottish playwright Jen McGregor. This is her new play.

The scene is set in Edinburgh, 24 July 1637. Jenny Geddes flings a stool at a minister and starts a riot in St Giles, a three-day brawl and, indirectly, the Covenanters’ War.

While Calvinists and Catholics clash violently on the city’s streets, Jenny’s employer demands an explanation – leading to unwelcome discoveries behind closed doors.

Creepie Stool is a story of secrets, lies, inept leadership, early Scottish sectarianism and the uncontrollable consequences of a single act of defiance.

It is also inspired by a true story, and it has strong resonances with the current debate about sectarianism and how to handle it in Scotand and elsewhere.

Booking details here. 

LAST PERFORMANCE TODAY Tejas Verdes

ON 11th September 1973, General Pinochet seized power in a vicious coup that led to the death of democratically elected President Salvadore Allende and resulted in the death and torture of many thousands of people.

This is one of the 'other' 9/11s - a set of events with a great deal to teach us and remind us of, but one which is all-too-easily lost in the sands of history.

The scars of the US backed coup, sponsored by large corporations and shadowy right-wing networks inside and outside the country, have lasted well into the era of renewed democracy in the populous Latin American nation.

Tejas Verdes, once an idyllic seaside resort for the rich, beautiful and fortunate, became a torture and death camp under Pinochet's dictatorship. The torture was carried out in the old music room.

The critically acclaimed play Tejas Verdes remembers, with poetic beauty, overwhelming love and humanity, the story of a woman who was tortured and disappeared.

It is also the story of those who encountered her and were part of what happened to her.

Praised by Guardian critic Michael Billington ("Eloquently translated … impossible to forget"), Scottish broadcaster and journalist Jim Naughtie ("Warm, rich, even poetic") and actor Robbie Coltrane ("It really is the right time"), Tejas Verdes is showing throughout August as part of Just Festival. 

The final performances are Sunday 25th August and Monday 26th August (both 2pm), with tickets £14 and £11. 

Full details and booking here.

TONIGHT AT 8pm: Just together... a celebration!

TONIGHT at 8pm, we celebrate what has been another extraordinary and record-breaking Just Festival (formerly the Festival of Spirituality and Peace) with a 'wrap event' at St John's Church.

Scots pipers will welcome us in and see us out. There will be a swansong or two for Just from the amazing Africa Entsha - of course - along with dance from Ragmala, Polish music, a cameo from Creepie Stool, a reflection from Rabbi Rosen, the Just Festival volunteers bursting into song, and more...

We also look forward to hearing from festival director Katherine Newbigging and chair of the hard-working board, Raymond Baudon.  There will be refreshments in the church hall afterwards.

But don't get the idea that this is the end of Just for 2013!

We will still have a full day left, Monday 26th August. That will be your last chance to see the moving Tejas Verdes, to reflect on Living Our Values, to meet Young Peacemakers, to hear the Canto del Paradiso, to be moved by Sacred Earth, to hear Africa Entsha, to see Creepie Stool... and to answer the question (in a multi-ethnic, multicultural, multi-belief society), "More Tea Imam?"

Also, of course, you can have a final peak at the remarkable In Sight of Peace photo-exhibition: Ian Berry of Magnum offers a unique view of South Africa, past and present, in its quest to leave apartheid behind - without forgetting the torment, and while learning the lessons.

Further previews of all of those events coming up soon here on Just Festival News...

Meantime, Just Together, the official closing event - tonight, 8pm, St John's Church Edinburgh (corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road, venue 127).

It's free, but donations to our charities, Mary's Meals and Waverley Care, and to the ongoing work of Just, will be welcome.

Singing 'I'm no a Billy, He's a Tim'

IT'S the day of the big game. One Rangers fan, one Celtic fan, in a single jail cell. The match isn't the only thing that will kick off.

The 'Old Firm' may play two divisions apart at the moment, but the rivalries and hatreds that get projected on them are just as strong.

Acclaimed writer Des Dillon's humorous take on the age-old issues of sectarianism and bigotry is one of a trio of plays on sectarianism in Scotland commissioned by Just Festival, formerly the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, from Edinburgh's Black Dingo Productions.

"McFarlane’s production does [the issue] justice, in every way that matters," writes critic and commentator Joyce McMillan in The Scotsman newspaper.

Tickets are £12, or £10 concessions. Web links to purchase here, or the cash box office at the venue (number 27), St John's Church (corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road), Edinburgh. The play runs has been on for the past few days and runs for one more night at Just, Saturday 24th August, from 20:30 – 21:50.

Black Dingo Productions is a not-for-profit organisation with a DIY ethic, established to help the development of grassroots and off the beaten track theatre in Edinburgh. For more information on the company, visit www.blackdingoproductions.co.uk.

'Creepie Stool' is proving a hit

CREEPIE Stool continues its run in the hall at St John's at 8.30pm tonight, and then tomorrow (21st), with a  finale on the 26th at Just Festival.

"A flair for irony, subtle provocation, detailed observation and wry wit," says EdinburghSpotlight of Scottish playwright Jen McGregor. This is her new play.

The scene is set in Edinburgh, 24 July 1637. Jenny Geddes flings a stool at a minister and starts a riot in St Giles, a three-day brawl and, indirectly, the Covenanters’ War.

While Calvinists and Catholics clash violently on the city’s streets, Jenny’s employer demands an explanation – leading to unwelcome discoveries behind closed doors.

Creepie Stool is a story of secrets, lies, inept leadership, early Scottish sectarianism and the uncontrollable consequences of a single act of defiance.

It is also inspired by a true story, and it has strong resonances with the current debate about sectarianism and how to handle it in Scotand and elsewhere.

Booking details here. 

'Sanctuary': a very personal play

FOUNDER of Edinburgh's Black Dingo Productions David McFarlane has brought his new, personal play Sanctuary to just festival. Here he tells us how he came to write it.

'Write what you know'. Probably the most over-quoted line by new writers, and one I took to heart at college.

I started writing Sanctuary there in a scriptwriting class. I needed a story, so I looked to my own life and this was the only story that I wanted to tell.

Sanctuary is a truly personal tale and one I found hard to revisit. I was in a relationship that was destined to fail - young love mixed with unachievable expectations. The relationship lasted longer than it should have because of one traumatic event.

Abortion. The subject is chronically divisive, splitting countries, social groups and households alike.

My first draft was a faithful retelling of events, which was raw and very emotionally-charged. After a number of readings, I refined it. It then got put in a drawer until I was ready for it to be shown to the world.

Its first run earlier this year was successful, but I felt there was more to the story so went back with the intention of redrafting it. I worked with the actors to workshop the piece, helping to build some further layers into it. I wanted to really get across the male perspective on abortion and tell that side of the story, as well as asking some difficult questions.

CAST
Janet - Cara Wicks
Michael - Rob David

Just Festival at St John's Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4BJ (Fringe venue 127)

Two more performances:14 & 16 August 2013 10pm (1hr) £8 / £6 Advance tickets: http://justjust.org

Black Dingo Productions is a not-for-profit organisation with a DIY ethic, established to help the development of grassroots and off the beaten track theatre in Edinburgh. It aims to keep the city's stages thriving year-round.

For more information on Black Dingo Productions, including how to invest in local theatre, visit www.blackdingoproductions.co.uk.

Coming very soon... 'Creepie Stool'

WEIRD name, wonderful play. That's one verdict on Creepie Stool, which runs from 16th-21st (then 26th) at Just Festival.

"A flair for irony, subtle provocation, detailed observation and wry wit," says EdinburghSpotlight of Scottish playwright Jen McGregor. This is her new play.

The scene is set in Edinburgh, 24 July 1637. Jenny Geddes flings a stool at a minister and starts a riot in St Giles, a three-day brawl and, indirectly, the Covenanters’ War.

While Calvinists and Catholics clash violently on the city’s streets, Jenny’s employer demands an explanation – leading to unwelcome discoveries behind closed doors.

Creepie Stool is a story of secrets, lies, inept leadership, early Scottish sectarianism and the uncontrollable consequences of a single act of defiance.

It is also inspired by a true story, and it has strong resonances with the current debate about sectarianism and how to handle it in Scotand and elsewhere. 

Booking details here. 

Last chance to see Kiss, Cuddle, Torture

KISS, Cuddle, Torture has been getting great notices, but tonight's performance will be the final one this time round at Just Festival - so make sure you don't miss out!

In a town known for its social and religious issues, three women battling their own demons at home, face the possibility of being expelled from their only refuge - the cold and crumbling school building where they work.

Bonding over relationships, children and the importance of wearing marigolds, Lynn, Sue and Lucy are pushed to breaking point, forcing them into a life on the edge of escape.

This is the debut full-length play from emerging Edinburgh playwright, Jennifer Adam. 8.30pm at St John's, Edinburgh.

Acclaim for 'Kiss, Cuddle, Torture'

THE stirring new play Kiss, Cuddle, Torture sold out for its first night at Just Festival last week, and is proving a hit with both audiences and those looking for what's hot in Edinburgh right now.

It's running tonight (Sunday 11th August), Monday and Tuesday. Don't miss out, book your ticket right now!

Here's the scenario: In a town known for its social and religious issues, three women battling their own demons at home face the possibility of being expelled from their only refuge - the cold and crumbling school building where they work as cleaners.

In the debut full-length play by emerging Edinburgh playwright Jennifer Adam, Lynn, Sue and Lucy are pushed to breaking point, forcing them into a life on the edge of escape.

Kiss, Cuddle, Torture is one of a trio of plays on sectarianism in Scotland commissioned by Just Festival, from Edinburgh's Black Dingo Productions.

Black Dingo Productions is a not-for-profit organisation with a DIY ethic, established to help the development of grassroots and off the beaten track theatre in Edinburgh.

The play runs in the hall at St John's Church (corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road) from August 9-14th and then the 23rd, 20:30 – 21:30. Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions).

Full booking information here.

STARTS TONIGHT: Kiss, cuddle, torture

IN a town known for its social and religious issues, three women battling their own demons at home face the possibility of being expelled from their only refuge - the cold and crumbling school building where they work as cleaners.

In the debut full-length play by emerging Edinburgh playwright Jennifer Adam, Lynn, Sue and Lucy are pushed to breaking point, forcing them into a life on the edge of escape.

Kiss, Cuddle, Torture is one of a trio of plays on sectarianism in Scotland commissioned by Just Festival,  from Edinburgh's Black Dingo Productions.

Black Dingo Productions is a not-for-profit organisation with a DIY ethic, established to help the development of grassroots and off the beaten track theatre in Edinburgh.

The play runs in the hall at St John's Church (corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road) from August 9-14th and then the 23rd, 20:30 – 21:30. Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions). 

Full booking information here.

Just premieres powerful plays

BIGOTRY, suspicion and sectarianism - how do they emerge in human relationships and in history? The issue is a hot one in Scotland at the moment - writes Anna Schwoub.

Both government and civil society groups are looking at how to transcend destructive forms of tribalism while recognising people's need for security and a sense of identity.

Debate and politics are one thing. But how do we get a real feel for the situation, short of (or in addition to) direct engagement at street level?

Drama continues to be an important avenue for introducing and illuminating what is going on, and in particular how history can resonate painfully in the insecurities of the present.

The 2013 Just festival is featuring three small-scale productions with an underlying theme of understanding the often subtle and sometime stark dynamics of sectarianism in Scotland.

Read the full article here.