Edinburgh Fringe 2024
A Giant on the Bridge
KT Producing
Genre: Music, Musical Stories, Storytelling
Venue: Assembly Roxy
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
Every year in Scotland, thousands of people return home from prison to an uncertain future. Using real life experiences and devised with the organisation Distant Voices Community A Giant on the Bridge creates a story of one young man and his family, and the welfare workers who interact with them. Weaving original song, rap, poetry and story from prisoners’ tales this group of Scottish theatre makers and musicians have created a gig theatre experience to explore the impact of homecomings after release.
Review
Dee is in prison (an unnamed offence) and has a short term to serve “Don’t count the days, make the days count” is the catchy chorus in one of the show’s songs. At home, counting the days, his sister June is feeling the impact of the sentence as strongly as he – she gave up her single life to care for his child but now isn’t sure she wants to relinquish that responsibility. Fay his daughter can’t wait to see Dad but doesn’t realise letters she had carefully crafted are sitting in a shoe box unsent by her aunty. The family support worker, Clem, who has been helping with the letter writing has burn out, this family story has triggered strong emotions from her own past. On his way to the prison is a nervous song writing tutor, hoping that someone from his past hasn’t signed up to the class today. This then, is the opening of this gig and like wool being teased onto a spindle to become thread the elements are gently brought together.
The verses of a song, we are told, tell the story and the chorus it’s beating heart, where the moral is held. The bridge is the opportunity for a change and opens up the song to new possibilities. Dee has a go at the song writing class and comes up with a cracking song about a Robot, the hook line from which I still can’t get out of my head. He sends the tape to his daughter and she loves the connection it gives her to Dad.
Woven in with the story of Dee’s eventual release and homecoming is a fairy story about Gerda the giant, imprisoned for a long-forgotten crime by a powerful King. Gerda has found being locked up so painful she has cut out her own heart and buried it, so she doesn’t have to feel. Eventually Gerda is given her freedom and we are reminded that the monsters we fear deserve compassion.
The writers and performers that have been brought together for this gig are all well-known individual talents in Scotland – singer-songwriters, musicians and a story teller. They have created a collection of thoughtful songs which intersperse the spoken word elements. Apart from the storyteller who brought her tale to life with physical movement and characterisation the others did give the impression they were reluctant to take centre stage and if the show continues beyond the Fringe then a bit more oomph in delivery would be a good idea, building in variation in volume and tone. The setting – a group of comfy looking armchairs in a semi-circle reinforced the laid back vibe. A bit more upbeat ‘frontman’ energy wouldn’t go amiss.
A Giant on the Bridge is a thoughtful exploration of the impact of prison on everyone in a family and even if those with the lived experience were not on the stage their stories are in safe and respectful hands.
