Theatre Alba

The Herald

Charles Edward Stuart

LOCATION, they say, is everything - though still not enough for Theatre Alba it would seem. Not content with the picture-postcard backdrop of Duddingston Loch for their reworking of the Bonnie Prince Charlie story, they throw in some fine performances and an intelligent script taken from the writings of the late Donald Mackenzie.
For those familiar with Scotland's history, it is arguably the most radical of versions under the direction of Charles Nowosielski. Flora Macdonald merits only a passing reference, there are no Highland pursuits, the prince's Bonnie Boat has sped.

There are plenty of bearded men in plaid but this is no battle reconstruction society event either.
Rather, it is a thoughtful study about politics and personalities and the danger in volatile instances of both coming together. The first act deals with events up to Culloden, the second, the long years of exile in France:. too many years perhaps - there is a degree of cramming, but John Sampson's gorgeous film-score music makes it both sturdy and stirring.

Robert Thomson