Issy Cory
Annie is entering a film studio to set the record straight about a tale that has haunted her family for years. During this Danny Robins ‘Uncanny’-esque interview, she is swept up in the story and relives the painful memories that she is desperate for others to understand.
Sammy, Annie’s younger brother, spots his dad on the beach on the Isle of Skye. Except, he’s been dead for years. Is it a ghost? Is it really him? Or is it all in their heads? As the siblings begin a wretched search for some answers, this haunting begins to tear them apart.
Ellie Keel’s new script showcases the beauty of storytelling, using delicate imagery to portray the multiple locations that we visit in SKYE. Clever reiterations of phrases are an effective way to help guide us through the narrative, helping to root us amongst the changing places and names.
Dawn Steele demonstrates how best to keep an audience engaged through her prolonged solo sections, finding the light and shade of each phrase. James Robinson, alongside Steele, provides a reliable and nuanced counterpart. Together, they have a rich chemistry.
The thriller element is a very exciting part of the concept. Paired with the shifting environments typical to the Isle of Skye, the spookier moments slot in well with the bigger picture. The production could have benefitted from pushing this thriller aspect more, as these snippets were certainly the most engaging.
In terms of the design, SKYE feels slightly too big for its boots. There is a live feed, projecting Annie relaying her account onto a screen at the back of the stage, yet this is only used a handful of times throughout. Mounds of black sand on a trestle table are also only used once, making us question how much value it truly has onstage.
Despite the energy dipping slightly during the middle of the play, the conclusion is satisfying. SKYE: A Thriller finishes strong, with a raw, punchy, finale, speaking to the power that grief have over our actions.
Recommended Drink: Accidentally inhaled some sea water after going swimming. Salty.
You can catch SKYE: A Thriller at TechCube 0 at Summerhall from Aug 16-25 at 15:00. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake Mace
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
