REPORT FROM EDINBURGH

AUGUST 6, 2013

Today’s entry will be a short one because it is late and there are too many images to sift through to make good choices!  I’ll do my best to catch up tomorrow!  But here’s the scoop –

After meetings with the festival tech staff and tours of all the facilities, I can say with confidence that we’ll be well taken care of.  We received lots of great advice on how to choose, build and market a show that will travel well and play well at festival, and they have every reason to believe we’ll be at the same venues next year. There’s one moderate size house (pix yesterday) and two more black box, intimate spots. I’ve now seen shows in two of the three venues and I’ll catch one Thursday in the third!

The Church Hill Studio space

The Church Hll Sainstage space

The Pilrig Studio - above a church

The big highlight of the day, and one you will look forward to greatly, was the performance of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  It’s one of the most spectacular and moving shows you will ever see, held outdoors against the backdrop of the Edinburgh castle.  This year the seasons were used as a theme – but my takeaway was that it’s the closest you may ever get to the thrill of being at the Olympics opening or closing ceremony – except without the pop stars.  There were astonishingly talented military bands, dance troupes and even a group of kid stunt motorcycle riders called the “Imps”.  And of course the bagpipers – a sound unlike any other – especially when there are 50 of them.  All in all over 1000 performers are in the show, and the production uses lighting to spectacular effect on the castle surface.  It’s truly fabulous.

Spectacular Castle Backdrop

Mongolian Armed Forces depiction of winter

Gearing up for the finale

Tomorrow we are out in the countryside, with our day trip to Stirling Castle and the Trossachs. Hope the weather is nice!