This is the second part of this two part Umbilical Project to go up this festival. The concept is to take one play, Lucy Kirkwood’s Geronimo, and stage it twice with two different casts and crews, one directed by Kirkwood herself, and the other by an independent director to find out how differently they turn out. This is an interesting theatrical experiment creating two individually worthy and entertaining productions.

Geronimo is Theo’s story as her world collapses when she discovers her husband has been having an affair with his secretary. Not only this, but he suffers a stroke rendering him unable to transcribe thoughts and ideas into spoken or written words. How do you discuss your marriage when you husband can only say ‘yes’ and how do you determine what your future is to be when someone is dependant on you?

This second production is from the outset more coherent than the ‘cut’ version. Its direction is slightly more simplistic and less conceptualised, but this works better for the script, as it gives the relationships a more open playing space. Altogether it felt a more realised piece of theatre, with even the actors having a clear grasp of their characters. The ideas within the play are also relevant as it asks important questions about our relationships, our ability to care for others above ourselves, and forgiveness. The better of these two play versions, the direction remains fairly conventional, proving that a writer working with a director on new writing is still the best way to produce a new piece of theatre.

Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bistro Place (0131 225 9893)
Aug 14-19, 21-26: 21:00 (1hr) £7 (£5)