Skip to review

Edinburgh Fringe

2023

/

Theatre

#Edinburgh Fringe

Theatre

Salamander

Salamander

Salamander

4/5

By Fringebiscuit

Crumpled paper card with big black capitals reading We Read Just the Title and We're Giving 5/5, No Notes, and a red balloon held in a hand

The Twittique / TL;DR

Immersing us in gritty 1980's Leith, @pretty_knickers ' blend of live music & spoken word unveils the lives of sex workers following a murder. A radiant ensemble match impressive stagecraft; though each scene shines, the plot seeks a climax as riveting as its cast.

Staged by the bold and unapologetic @prettyknickersproductions, #Salamander is a shimmering collage🧩 of #spokenword, #livemusic, and compelling #noir narrative. Navigating the gritty streets of 1980s Leith, the play plunges us into a realm of tension, depicting the lives of six sex workers in the aftermath of an unsettling, unsolved murder…🕵🏽‍♀️📄The strong script strikes a balance between the #naturalism of dialogue and the evocative power of spoken word and live music🎶 The harmonies of life— melancholic, jubilant, fearful— echo through the narrative, much like Brecht & Weill’s “Threepenny Opera”, where music and marginalised voices intermingle…At the heart of ‘Salamander’ is its fierce ensemble💓 The actresses bring life to Leith's underworld, each shimmering with their unique charisma. This all-female powerhouse, led by a Scottish company with a clear feminist pulse, summons shades of Caryl Churchill's 'Top Girls', with each character radiating depth and diversity…Set against a minimalistic backdrop, the lighting and tech choices deserve a standing ovation. The stained glass window silhouette - a nod to the intersection of the Church and the streets - is slick theatrical innovation. The quick, snappy sequences mimicking headlights racing past are simply brilliant, offering a cinematic touch reminiscent of Scorsese's urban nocturnes🎬…But herein lies the quibble - while every scene is a masterclass in tension and comedy, there's a craving for a central conflict as sharp as the ensemble's performances. A crescendo or pivotal climax that pushes the characters to new limits…✨ Yet, despite these narrative cravings, "Salamander" is captivating. It's a glowing testament to @prettyknickersproductions’ dedication to creating playful yet poignant theatre with women at its core. Here's to more deep dives into such riveting worlds!

Filed from

Edinburgh Fringe

with a Biscuit rating of

4/5

Instagram

Threads

Newsletter

Get the BIZcuit

Get the BIZcuit

Get the BIZcuit

A sharp little digest of reviews, trends, soundbites, and theatre gossip worth chewing on.

More from the archive

More from the archive