PRESS RELEASE – EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2014 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Poorboy Theatre and the Soutar Quartet funded by Made in Scotland
International psychic sensation Madame Lozatska has a problem. While trying to contact the ghost of Scots poet William Soutar, she has been hijacked by the unruly spirits of Soutar’s friends, family and bitter rival Hugh McDairmid. In one hour and 15 minutes, an afternoon séance will go horribly wrong and even the house band will be possessed and forced to weave Soutar’s haunting, rousing words into a fusion of jazz and folk inspired songs. Whether you’re a fan of William Soutar or have never heard his words before; this funny, entertaining and enlightening musical comedy will leave you believing that the afterlife is a world of music and poetry.
William Soutar has been something of a neglected treasure in Scottish culture. Though stricken by illness for much of his short life, he left a legacy of hauntingly beautiful verse. The Sma Room Seance was conceived by Debra Salem as a way to bring Soutar’s poetry to new audiences and to gain a wider recognition of his contribution to Scots language and literature.
The Sma Room Seance is so much more than a gig and certainly can’t be described as simply a piece of theatre. It is a wonderful combination of both creating a performance of the works of William Soutar and an insight into the man himself.
With a fusion of spoken-word, Scottish folk music, blues and jazz as well as an incredible acting performance at the core of the piece, The Sma Room Seance features a number of Soutar’s works each set in an entertaining and unexpected format featuring the talents of actor Jennifer Bates and musicians Debra Salem (vocals), Paul Harrison (piano), Kevin Mackenzie (guitar) and Patsy Reid (violin).
Directed by Sandy Thompson (Poorboy) Written by Ajay Close
The Sma Room Seance is proud to be supported by Made in Scotland
Web: www.poorboy.co.uk Web: www.acousticmusiccentre.co.uk
Venue: Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s, 10 Orwell Terrace, EH11 2DZ Time: 15:45 RunningTime:75mins
Dates: 12-17 August.
Tickets: £12/£10conc/£9family
Box office: www.acousticmusiccentre.co.uk, 0131 668 2019
PRESS CONTACT: Frodo McDaniel e: frodo@JaggyEvents.com t: 07943670575