Review Score – 4 stars
Category – Theatre
As a preface I’ll admit my prior knowledge of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell was extremely limited. However, one of the joys of seeing theatre at the Fringe is the ability to fall in love with characters and stories outwith your historical ken and it is in this fashion that Marie Kohler’s Boswell excels. Using the device of split narratives between a 20th century researcher Joan and Boswell’s own journals, the play expertly and cleverly tells the tale of the relationship dynamic between Boswell and Johnson, as well as delving into the subtle and not so subtle personality traits that both men possessed. It is, as the tagline to the show states, a love letter to Scotland but it is also an example of the adoration one can find in appreciating how the flaws in a person’s nature doesn’t define them but instead illuminates who they are.
The narrative given is fast paced and beautifully acted out by a cast that not only seem to embody the characters they represent but gave passion, humour and feeling to a fantastic script. I was utterly wrapped up in the story presented throughout and was left at its conclusion feeling satisfied but also hungry for more information on those it portrayed.
Abbey Siegworth was amazingly captivating as Joan and Laura Gordon as Lady Fiona (also Co-Director) was simply sublime. They contributed exquisitely with each other both comedically and profoundly to deliver strong emotional beats to the story. Brian Mani (Johnson) and Brian Gill (Boswell) were the embodiment of each that they sought to represent, with Mani’s every scene laced with his character’s implicit authority and Gill delivering a charismatic and loveable rogue in his portrayal. Credit also to the two acting interns playing supplementary characters throughout in differing roles from David Hume to the wife of Boswell. They were truly excellent and did not look out of place on stage alongside their more experienced contemporaries, which is high praise indeed.
Boswell is an excellent example of history being brought to life and it undoubtedly is a fabulous platform for the talent it showcases. Go and see this remarkable, brilliant play, you’ll love it.
Details of this show are listed below;
Venue: PQA Venues @ Riddle’s Court – Q1
Dates: Aug 12, 14-19, 21-25
Time: 16.30 (1 hour 20 minutes)
Ticket prices: £11.50 (students £8.50)
Fringe box office: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/boswell
Warnings and additional info: 14+ (Guideline)
