A Play, A Pie and A Pint

Once again the Traverse has teamed up with Glasgow’s Oran Mor to present the lunchtime programme of “A Play, A Pie and A Pint”. For 5 weeks at 1pm, there is a chance to experience exactly what the title says – five short plays by some of the country’s most talented writers, the choice of several different flavours of well-filled pies, and a foaming pint – with soft drink options or a glass of wine for those who so prefer.
Week one started well with “Heaven” by acclaimed playwright Simon Stephen. Directed by Dominic Hill, this is a strange encounter at the airport between a young man fleeing from his life and old man pontificating on Life. Sean (Robert Jack) is escaping to Turin – exactly why is shrouded in mystery, but it has something to do with North Berwick, his wife’s beautiful eyes, and the strange menace of the sea. Kyle (Sean Scanlan) seems exactly the sort of interfering old pest you do not want to have chasing after you telling you what should and shouldn’t be done. Yet there is more to him than this, and by the end Kyle does a very enjoyable and lyrical rendition of Talking Heads “Heaven”, which Sean Scanlan delivers with a certain Bill Nighy aplomb. Escape from a place where nothing happens to a Heaven of eternal boredom – is that it? Or is there a more sinister reason why the young man Sean begs Kyle to tell no-one, absolutely no-one where he has gone?
“Heaven” is on until Sat 6th March.
“The Shattered Head” by Graham Eatough and Maggie Rose is on from Tues 9th – Sat 13th March.
“Soup” by Ella Hickson is on from Tues 16th – Sat 20th March.
“Battery Farm” by Gregory Burke is on from Tues 23rd – Sat 27th March.
“The Garden” by Zinnie Harris is on from Tues 30th – Sat 3rd April.
All performances are £10.