Theatre Workshops community plays are a wondrous event, more than just a theatre show the evening starts with some excellent African drumming in the foyer helping to set a lighthearted and celebratory mood. Black Sun Over Genoa written and directed by Robert Rae and performed by an entirely amateur cast, with no audition process just a willingness to work hard and commit to the rehearsals. With such an open policy the level of acting varies greatly, but is more than made up for by the enthusiasm, heart and passion shown by every member of a cast.

Black Sun over Genoa is set against the backdrop of the protests that took place against the G8 in Genoa in 2001. Where the world witnessed police brutality which resulted in the murder of Carlo Giuliani by the Italian police, he was shot in the eye and ran over twice. Theatre Workshops production aims to human story behind the protests coinciding with the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

In the first act we are introduced to every group that has converged on Genoa , each telling there stories and the beliefs that have taken them to Genoa . In a powerful second act detailing protests at the fence, and the aftermath of the death of Carlo you cannot help but be moved and shocked as a lone voice tells what happened when Carlo died, detailing the blood and shock that took over everyone, I felt a sense of loss, and anger as this powerful speech resounded round a silent festival theatre. Couple this with the horrific images of the police beating up protesters in one unprovoked attack after another even raiding the sleeping quarters while many innocent people slept. Throughout the theatre there were gasps of shock as scene after scene flashed culminating in pictures of Carlo's body lying still and lifeless at the back of a police car.

The play could have finished there but it wasn't the end, a beautiful speech describing the peaceful march through Genoa and the Italian police once again diving in.

There is no big ending to this production, but it is difficult to round things off when the struggle is still taking place, hopefully soon we can round off this struggle. If anything this production makes you think and want to stand up and be counted.