FringeReview Scotland 2024
A Conversation Between Hands and Feet
Evie Waddell, presented as part of Gathered Together 24
Genre: Music
Venue: Tramway Theatre
Festival: FringeReview Scotland
Low Down
Evie Waddell and musician partner, Andrew Herrington deliver some songs of our country. They have a simple approach but one which builds on the clear ability of both capture song in such an inspirational manner. This is performance with no hiding places but plenty to commend it.
Review
She promised some Scottish culture and then, she delivered.
What was so special about it was that it was utterly diverse. Starting by reminding those that knew and getting those tellt that didnae, that she was deaf in one ear, Waddell sang, danced and told us about her creativity.
It began with a couple of Gaelic language pieces which, as I am not fluent in Gaelic were beyond me to fully understand. They were accompanied by a fluent Waddell in BSL, with which I am not fluent so still did not quite understand. But I was glad that I was left floundering.
Why? Because it reminded me of the special privilege that I have in a hearing world. Waddell is a thoroughly engaging presence onstage. Aided by her musician buddy, Andrew Herrington, they were pitch perfect and gorgeously sung. The integration of BSL enhanced them. I became intrigued as to what each sign meant in Gaelic, mused on whether there was a Gaelic SL, if there should be or if I was just trying to find something to write about because I couldn’t work out the sangs.
No, it was not for something to write about because theatre provokes a desire. A desire for enquiry at its best and seeing the minorities united made me think. We need all minorities to be, in some way, diverse enough to be united. The physical manifestation of a Gaelic song being wrapped around the hands of a sign or twenty was for me the beginning of feeling how natural it looks, and why it should not be the norm for us all.
Then came the elbows. This was humorous and truly thought provoking. The idea of somebody working their elbows down to the bone for you is both hemmed in on the mothers we all have whilst a few MMA style moves to keep a man or twa in check make it feel more menacing but also very contemporary.
The final song which involved some deftly explained audience participation was, perhaps due to the pressures of time a little rushed but there were a few people keen to participate. Once more with a Scots voice and the Lallans language of wur birth, which sang alongside the BSL made this a delight.
It ended the piece with more than a message. It ended with a flourish and the opportunity to not only hear that sweet voice, the power of the emotional connection to the songs and the sheer joy in performance is to be wished, followed and held with passion.
But all of this was not my favourite part. Andrew Herrington plays a mean spoon or twa. I have never, ever, ever had to review spoons. And they were michty braw.
