**** (4 Stars)
“Intensely Gripping”
Originally commissioned as an audio play by the Royal Lyceum Theatre and now developed in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland and the National Theatre as part of London’s Generate programme. Keli returns to the Lyceum taking up residence on their main stage ahead of a Scottish Tour.
Written and composed by Martin Green and directed by Bryony Shanahan KELI, a taught and emotionally engaging performance from Liberty Black, tells the story of a fiery, sharp witted seventeen year-old in a former mining town in central Scotland. The pits are long gone have little meaning to Keli, but the mines left music in the blood of both the town and its residence. As the best player her brass band has ever had, music is easy. Everything else is a fight. Feeling trapped in small-town life, the pressure mounts in an intensely gripping play that at its heart is an exploration of community, creativity, music and the desire to identify in generation long detached from the struggles of the miner’s strikes and it’s still lingering effects.
Green’s writing while intense does rely on a non ending stream of strong language and while it does convey Keli’s story it eventually gets tiring in a play that clashes “Trainspotting” with “Brassed off” to a highly stimulating effect. While the show does feature both the Whitburn and Kingdom Brass Bands its Green’s compositions that set this show apart. It’s blend of traditional brass band instruments with a modern soundscape really brings the show alive in both intensity and passion and is a beguiling element that makes the show soar.
Performances from the eight strong cast are excellent with Liberty Black leading the company with an high accomplished performance as “Keli”. Karen Fishwick puts in a stellar performance as “Jane/Lady S/Euphonium” a talented musician in her own right with acting ability of true depth. Olivia Hemmati makes her professional début with a comedic tour de force as “Amy/Saskia”. Phil McKee turns in a finally crafted dramatic performance as “Brian” whose strength and sensibility is a calming factor to the intensity of Keli. Critically acclaimed Scottish actor Billy Mack returns to the show in the role of “William” an ethereal figure from the past but thanks to Mack’s accomplished performance delivers a character of real depth.
Production wise Keli delivers a dystopian world thanks to the Set and Costume design from Alisa Kalyanova whose brilliant design captures the long gone coal seams, to the band rehearsal room and even the Royal Albert Hall with ease. This is enhanced by Robbie Butler’s deeply thoughtful lighting design which is complimented in excellent style by George Dennis’s Sound Design.
Keli is brave as it is capturing and delivers on the National Theatre of Scotland mission to explore untapped theatre makers that represent the best of Scotland and its stories. As Keli heads out on tour it truly delivers a refreshingly adult story that puts music and its power at its heart. Beguiling stuff indeed.
National Theatre of Scotland Presents Keli, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Runs until Saturday 17th May. For more information and tickets go to: https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/keli#dates-and-times
The Production will tour to Dundee Rep, Perth Theatre and Glasgow Tramway.
ScotsGay Arts 