Set in Paris, the play explores the relationship between Celia, a beautiful young English teacher, and Pierre, her French-Congolese pupil. Read more …
Brimming with humour, rage and longing, this gripping play provides both a minute exploration of an increasingly hazardous romantic entanglement, and an insight into the tensions around class, race, language and identity that lie at the heart of present-day South Africa.
An exciting new co-production from the internationally renowned Market Theatre from South Africa and two of the UK’s most prestigious theatre companies.
Craig Higginson's developed this spell-binding two-hander.
The piece challenges our received assumptions about idealogy, language and sexuality to strong effect.
There's much here about an unconscious form of 21st-century colonialsim that is left teasingly unresolved.
It might all be quite irritating were it not for Malcolm Purkey's sleek production.
An intriguing two-hander.
Contains a deeper and more meaningful soul than it first appears.
It's written and directed with great skill, and beautifully performed.
What the play does offer is a showcase for the two performers.
Often intensely psychological
The two performances constantly serve the writing with plausibility and knife-edge watchability.
The final slide into darker areas lacks restraint, but the twisted chemistry between the alternately brittle and frisky Celia and her inscrutable student is palpable.
This excellent play is a blaze of that summer Fringe heat in the damp days of autumn.
The beauty of this piece is as much in the telling as in the tale. I loved Higginson's use of language and Marianne Oldham and Nat Ramabulana really make the most of it.
The Girl in the Yellow Dress tries a little too hard to make a statement about love, and the vaguely optimistic ending sells out the mania that the early scenes conjure.
Superbly acted, with both Oldham and Ramabulana excelling in their roles as mysterious teacher and eager student, this production is a must-see for anyone who missed it at the Fringe.
A dramatic message from South Africa
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh from Thursday August 5, 2010, until Sunday August 29, 2010. Check the Traverse website for times and prices: www.traverse.co.uk.. More info: www.traverse.co.uk
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday September 21, 2010, until Saturday October 9, 2010. 7.30pm. Tickets: £12 (concessions available). More info: www.citz.co.uk