The Selkie, Greenside @ Riddles Court, Review

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Two young men stand and look out at the wide open sea. The day seems grey and gloomy.
Rating (out of 5)
4
Show info
Company
Oor Theatre
Production
Madeleine Farnhill (Writer); Sophie Barrick (Production Designer); William Teasdale (Sound Designer); Luke Ewer (Technical Operator)
Performers
Sean Russell (Finlay); Hugo Shack (Ciaran); Eilidh Park (The Selkie)
Running time
50mins

In one of the smallest theatres of the Fringe, you will find this beautifully atmospheric gem of a show. Set on a Ferry working on the wee island of Bute, two young men are restless with their lives, looking for something but not sure what. Throwing in folk lore, selkies, and some wonderful Gaelic singing, this is a funny, quirky and yet surprisingly touching show.

The theatre space works particularly well for this show in that the compact seating and layout make the audience feel they are crammed into the passenger area of a small ferry. Sopie Barrick’s use of rope and railings effectively give the feel of a raised deck, all of which add to the immersive feel of the show. With the Selkie crawling through the audience, weaving magic and the siren call of her Gaelic song, the audience is drawn into the storyline, as the two ferry workers try to find a way through the danger ahead. 

The three-strong talented cast are each well suited to their roles, adding touches of real life humour, mystery and heartfelt moments, which Madeleine Farnhill’s skilfully crafted script helps to bring alive. In this short play there is a surprising amount of storyline crammed in, but at the end it feels that we have all gone on a wonderful, engaging journey. Highly recommended, this tale will stay with you, so catch it while you can.

Show Time: 2-10 Aug @ 12:35
Greenside @ Riddles Court
Ticket Prices: £5 (£3) 4th; £8 (£5) 5th-10th 
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/selkie  
Accessible entry: Wheelchair access type: Level Access; Wheelchair Accessible Toilets; Stairs: None; Audio Enhancement System; Age: 14+ (Guideline)