Photo by Euan MylesJust give them genuine wonders and nothing else. No cons. No peep shows. No gaffs. No novelty acts. Just marvels. Read more …
At the fag-end of freak shows' popularity, science and religion have conspired to make peeping shameful. The audience have turned against them so Riley needs to find a new tale to tell. There's no money in the coffers and they've had to eat the horse. Only the mermaid act is bringing in the punters and even she's just holding her breath.
To what lengths will Riley go to save his freak family?
Futureproof is a magical and deeply human new play by Lynda Radley and is her first play for the Traverse.
Lynda's previous work includes The Art of Swimming. Futureproof is also the Traverse's first co-production with the award-winning Dundee Rep Ensemble and includes four members of the superb acting company.
Futureproof re-unites Director Dominic Hill (his last production as Artistic Director of the Traverse) with designer Colin Richmond after the success of The Three Musketeers and the Princess of Spain by Chris Hannan.
It has some great comedic performances and Colin Richmond’s design uses all sorts of tricks of the light and illusions to create its darkly oppressive set.
Even a cast led by veteran actors of the Dundee Rep Ensemble – John Buick (Riley), Robert Paterson (Tiny) and Irene MacDougall (Marketa) – and directed by the Traverse’s acclaimed artistic director Dominic Hill, cannot find within the text the necessary moral depth and dramatic tension.
Futureproof is a play that not only entertains, it makes you think.
Futureproof explores voyeurism through a 19th century travelling freak show
Lynda Radley explores the world of the freak show with Futureproof
Futureproof@The Traverse
Lynda Radley on Futureproof: a freak show about selfhood not sisterhood
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh from Saturday August 6, 2011, until Sunday August 28, 2011. More info: www.traverse.co.uk
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