Showing @ Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh until Sun 24 Aug (not 13) @ 16:50
If you grew up in a small town and longed for the excitement of the city then Hiraeth will seem very familiar. Performer Buddug James Jones and four generations of her family have all stayed and worked on a farm in the Welsh village of Newcastle Emlyn. Hiraeth is Buddug’s personal and funny account of her breaking this tradition and going to university in London.
James Jones is joined onstage by performer Max Macintosh who energetically portrays several characters from the small Welsh village and the big and intimidating city of London. Comedy, music and adventure all come into play to present an hour packed full of enjoyment, fun and sentiment.
Hiraeth itself is a Welsh word meaning a longing for home. This is understandable as the most enjoyable sequences in the performance occur during James Jones and Macintosh’s comedic and personal depiction of the village and it’s inhabitants. During these segments the performance really comes to life as the audience gets behind the protagonist as we hope she succeeds in her new life, hopes and dreams.
Buddug James Jones begins the show by stating that she is not an actress. This is not evident throughout the performance. Her ability to convey her story is affable, joyful and eloquent. Her honesty is endearing and this makes the audience warm to her and also makes Hiraeth a stand out comedy theatre performance.