The Violinist and Consequences, theSpace @ Jury’s Inn, 2 to 10 August, £8 (£6 concessions)
Child abduction and violence against prostitutes – cutting-edge theatre group tackles growing issues with new-writing return to Edinburgh Fringe.
Following a nationwide new writing competition, London-based theatre company KinkyFish plan a gritty and controversial return to the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival with their presentation of Matthew Kirton’s The Violinist and Duncan Battman’s Consequences. Exploring issues of child trafficking and the exploitation of women, the production has already created a strong reaction following its preview at The London Theatre earlier this year.
The Violinist: Jack Goodman’s relationship with his daughter Victoria is built on a lie, a dark secret he has spent a lifetime trying to escape from that threatens to reveal itself on the eve of her debut international performance, and irreparably change the course of both their lives.
“When we launched our search for new writing our aim was to showcase works from new, exciting talent that would spark debate,” says Director Rhys Wilson. “When you consider the number of incidents of child abduction and exploitation reported in the press, even this year alone, you can see why we feel the issues addressed in these two plays are of immediate and relevant significance.
Consequences: The discovery of a note left by a recent suicide victim triggers a clash of ideals between a seasoned police sergeant and the rookie officer under his wing as they are forced to re-evaluate the case of Cilla Ward, a teenage prostitute who went missing 20 years ago.
“I wanted to steer clear of the stereotype street-walker in fishnets and thigh-high boots,” says Actress Michelle McKay on her portrayal of runaway Cilla. “You may not agree with some of her choices, but that doesn’t warrant the violence done to her. Her story is that of a young woman yearning for stability and affection.”
2013 marks a return to Edinburgh for Consequences, which had its premiere at the 2010 Fringe at The Grassmarket. This year The Violinist is eligible for The Scotsman Fringe First Awards, which were established to encourage, support and celebrate the best new writing on the Fringe.
