Showing @ C Nova, Edinburgh until Mon 26 Aug (not 12) @ 18:30
Based on a true story and set in the early 18th Century at the birth of the Prussian nation, this is a play of more than just historical interest. It tackles sexual identity, gay marriage and society’s reaction to what it cannot understand. The play revolves around the life of Caterina Linck who fought as a man for both the Catholic and Lutheran armies and who married and lived as husband to her young wife before discovery and a show trial.
The story itself is powerful enough, but writers Danny West and Ben Fensome have given their three performers excellent, often poetic, dialogue to sink their teeth into. The calibre of the cast is excellent with a superb, strong leading performance from Fanni Compton ably supported by Alice Bell and Victoria Jones in various roles. Despite the performances and some very good writing the show begins to unravel towards the end. What had begun short, punchy and intense slows down into long, wordy and didactic scenes which undoubtedly underline the message of the play, but do little in dramatic terms. That being said this is still a play worth going to see for its fascinating story, superb performances and the commitment on display.
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