Siege Perilous News Feed

4* REVIEW of 'Standing Stanes'

Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Keith D, 'Edinburgh Spotlight' ****

Director Andy Corelli takes Robert Ballantine’s never-performed absurdist romp and has a great deal of fun with it, using a sparse set and an intimate venue to recreate all the booms and busts of the 80s, to a cleverly woven scene-specific soundtrack.

The cast appear to be having an equal amount of fun with the piece: Kydd and Banner in particular as they slip on a variety of metaphorical masks in a number of comic supporting roles. Robertson is a likable lead, and portrays Craig’s impossible-to-dampen enthusiasm with aplomb. Hawthorne is excellent in both of her main roles: as Kim, a surprisingly well-rounded character amidst the rest of Standing Stanes’ caricatures; and as the hippy femme fatale Penelope, who slinkily makes Craig a fateful offer he can’t refuse. Read full review

4* REVIEW of 'Standing Stanes'

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Thom Dibdin, 'Annals of Edinburgh Stage' ****

Piling the improbable on top of the possible, Siege Perilous has created a delightfully retro eighties comedy for the inaugural play in its new home at Leith Malmaison.

Both Kydd and Banner are great fun to watch, with Banner providing just that extra edge of madness or unnerving detail that tips his characters over from the two dimensional into something more substantial and believable. Not that they have a monopoly on silliness. Both Matt Robertson and LaVerne Hawthorne have further characters to explore. Although Hawthorne has the best, as ultra-sexy Siren Lady Penelope.

A great small-scale production which plays very well on its eighties origins both in its verbal and musical references, while providing plenty of laughs along the way. Read full review

Siege Perilous & Malmaison pair up for new writing

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Two Edinburgh companies – Malmaison in Leith, the hotel group that “Dares to be Different”,and independent theatre production company Siege Perilous - have teamed up to form a unique collaboration. Siege Perilous will exclusively perform its theatre productions at the Leith hotel for an initial period of 2 years. This is the latest exciting partnership that Siege Perilous has initiated and follows hot on the heels of its last show at Ocean Terminal, Leith in December 2011. Full details

4* REVIEW of 'Turning to the Camera' by Edinburgh Spotlight

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Keith D, 'Edinburgh Spotlight' ****

Ian Sexon is superb as the paparazzo, exuding just the right amount of sleaze and questionable morals without verging on caricature. Adam Tomkins has a similar commanding presence to Liam Brennan and shows his versatility with roles as diverse as a threatening gunman and an eccentric professor. Adrienne Zitt brings an effortless touch of female strength to her walk-on parts, helping to counter Thompson’s male bravado. Lewis Hart breathes life into the piece’s most intriguing character: a Welsh Muslim extremist. He injects Bilaal with an intelligence and vulnerability which transforms him into one of the play’s most sympathetic – and morally true – characters. As a snapshot of what Siege Perilous are capable of, it comes highly recommended. (read the full review)

3* REVIEW of 'Turning to the Camera' by The Scotsman

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Joyce McMillan, 'The Scotsman'***

Andy Corelli’s Siege Perilous company give the story hell, though, in a series of entertaining chase-scenes across London – amusingly illustrated by film of downtown Leith – and bruising encounters between Ian and his adversaries, played with terrific flair by Ian Sexon, Adam Tomkins, Lewis Hart and Adrienne Zitt (read the full review)

Winning numbers of Raffle

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Grateful thanks if you were able to support the company in buying a raffle ticket or two in its attempt to raise funds for its last production. These are the winning numbers; congratulations to the winners who have all been notified individually. Thanks also to all the retailers at Ocean Terminal, Leith who generously donated these wonderful prizes.

41 won the Murad Vitamin-C facial at Allure Medi Spa, Debenhams
1 for the meal for 2 at Zizzi's, Ocean Terminal
30 for the remote control Discovery helicopter from The Discovery Store
43 for the cut & blow dry at Charlie Miller, Ocean Terminal
7 for the £20 of White Stuff vouchers
11 for the KitSound Panda speaker from CarPhone Warehouse

Please buy a raffle ticket; lovely prizes

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

We will be running a raffle until midnight 3rd December to help cover some of the technical cost of our next production 'Turning to the Camera'. Tickets are £3 and there are 6 wonderful prizes courtesy of the kind generosity of the Ocean Terminal retailers. Draw will take place 5th December and winning tickets to be announced same day.

Full details of all the prizes and how to buy tickets can be viewed in this pdf document

If you want to buy tickets direct from this page, click here to send an email requesting tickets. Tickets are £3 each

Simon Jackson at The Traverse

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Simon had one of his short plays 'Tidal Wave' performed in Words Words Words at the Traverse Monday 7th November to a packed and enthusiastic audience.

Mentees for Playwright Development Programme announced

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Siege Perilous and Writer-in-Residence Caroline Dunford are delighted to announce the names of the six playwrights who have secured a place on this year’s Playwright Development Programme. They are John Gilmour from Glasgow; Colin Bell, Chris Purnell, Rhiannon Grist and Jen McGregor from Edinburgh, and David Hutchison from West Kilbride. The six were selected from 68 scripts that were submitted to the company in September in this first year of a new programme for emerging playwrights

Submissions for Playwright Mentoring scheme

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The window is now closed for submissions to this year's Playwright Development Programme. Closing date was midnight 25th September 2011. We've had an excellent response and plan to run it again next year. Why not sign up to our newsletter to get early notification of the dates? Go to our Home page for the sign-up button

Writer-in-Residence role introduced

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We are delighted to announce that we have initiated a Writer-in-Residence (WIR) role, and that established Edinburgh-based multi-produced playwright and published author Caroline Dunford, has agreed to become the first in this new role.

NEW Playwright Development Programme launched

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In conjunction with our inaugural Writer-in-Residence Caroline Dunford, we are introducing a mentoring programme to help develop the writing skills of emerging playwrights with submissions invited for Autumn 2011. Go to 'Initiatives' on our website for further information

Next shows

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

3 exciting new scripts from 3 more Scotland-based talented writers. Autumn 2011, we will bring you Simon Jackson's surreal 'Turning to the Camera': Winter/Spring 2012 will be Lindsay Miller's dark 'Unfixable' and Bob Ballantine's political satire 'Standing Stanes'. Dates and venues to be announced.

Free event for budding playwrights

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

In collaboration with Siege Perilous, the McDonald Road Library in Leith is offering budding Edinburgh playwrights an opportunity to grab a place at its free ‘How to be a Playwright’ event. The course was a sell-out event at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival and will again be presented by Edinburgh author and playwright Caroline Dunford. The library will host mentoring sessions and workshops from the company's forthcoming Playwright Development Programme.

The event, to be held on Monday 5th September 2011, 6.30 – 8.00 p.m. is free but it is essential to book as places are limited to 20. To reserve a place call the library direct on 0131 529 5636, email or call in person 2 McDonald Road EH7 4LU

Website improvements

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We hope that visitors to our website will be relieved to see far more up-to-date content thanks to the introduction of a web-based content management system by Edinburgh-based Purple Spider.

Burke & Hare take to the stage

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

If you think you know the story of Burke and Hare, think again. For its latest collaboration, Siege Perilous has teamed up with fellow Edinburgh-based theatre company West Port Productions to stage ‘Burke’ its first historical, fact-based production at the GRV in November. 'Burke' is a poignant haunting psychological drama which delves into the mind of notorious serial killer William Burke as he awaits his execution, and uses accounts from his 2-day trial in 1828. This is not however, a simple retelling of the 16 murders he committed with partner William Hare.Burke & Hare take to the stage

Post show discussion

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Following Friday’s performance of ‘Burke’, there will be a post-show discussion in the theatre at the GRV. If you attend the show on any night, simply present your ticket to attend this free event which should commence around 9pm immediately after the performance. The discussion will feature ‘Burke’s writer Caroline Dunford, its Director Stuart Nicoll, the three actors and musician Fiona Rutherford.’

4* REVIEW of 'King Arthur' by Fringe Guru

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I’m pleased to report that Siege Perilous’ classically-inspired re-telling, while true to the ancient legends, still finds many fresh insights to share.

3* REVIEW of 'King Arthur' by Edinburgh Evening News

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Makes great use of the surroundings as dusk falls

Promenade performance of King Arthur in a centre of Scottish Enlightenment

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Following 2009’s successful Fringe production, we are delighted to be given the opportunity by the Demarco European Art Foundation to perform an open-air promenade performance of Lucy Nordberg’s modern renaissance-form play, ‘King Arthur’ in the beautiful and atmospheric grounds of Craigcrook Castle. An historic centre of the Scottish Enlightenment, you will truly feel part of Arthur’s Court as he makes an important announcement….but how will his subjects react when he reveals that he wishes to impose democracy?

3* REVIEW of 'Suspicious Minds' by The Scotsman

Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Suspicious Minds employs elements of a murder mystery to take a somewhat fatalist view of how our identities are shaped.

4* REVIEW of 'Suspicious Minds' from The Skinny

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

What we have here is a fascinatingly constructed psychological thriller with some electrifying performances!

3* REVIEW of 'Suspicious Minds' by Edinburgh Spotlight

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It is to the company and cast’s credit that they turn this into a multi-layered and intriguing performance which grips from the outset and doesn’t let go until the final ‘thank you very much’.

Murder Mystery kicks off 2010 programme

Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

‘Suspicious Minds’ a new work by Edinburgh-based writer Caroline Dunford will open our 2010 programme

On one level, ‘Suspicious Minds’ is a murder mystery about the death of a life-long Elvis fan. Deeper though, it shows how who we are as adults is shaped by who we were as children.

Arts and Business Scotland awards Siege Perilous funding

Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Siege Perilous is delighted to announce that it has received funding from Arts and Business Scotland New Arts Sponsorship Grant to deliver a one-year programme of theatre.

REVIEW of 'King Arthur' by UK Theatre Network

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In this fine production the actors are present on stage all the time.

REVIEW of 'King Arthur' by Edinburgh 247

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The cast was strong and worked well together.

3* REVIEW of 'King Arthur' by The List

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

...the debates raised by this bold piece of theatre will linger with you long after the show has ended.

4* REVIEW of 'King Arthur' by Edinburgh Evening News

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This experimental piece from local company Siege Perilous, wonderfully sculpted by Lucy Nordberg,

5* REVIEW of 'King Arthur' by Three Weeks

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Full of tragic betrayal, raw emotion and slick performances, this modern adaptation of the classical 'King Arthur' is my kind of play.

Details of Fringe show 2009

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

King Arthur 5-30 August 2009 (not 9, 17, 24) at the New Town Theatre (venue 7), 96 George Street at 2.45 p.m.

‘King Arthur’ is a new work by Brighton-based writer Lucy Nordberg. After a successful rehearsed reading at the Bedlam Theatre for Fringe 2008, this full production will be performed at Universal Arts New Town Theatre before touring.

This script, written in the renaissance form, fuses classic writing with contemporary themes. This play has the advantages of the form that audiences love to see and actors are trained to perform, but in modern language.

King Arthur, an enlightened, charismatic leader, decides to ensure his ideals last forever by imposing democracy on a population who, for all his reforms, still believe in fate and tradition. Arthur’s son Mordred, brought up by his mother in a neighbouring country, is confused when he arrives at Court to find that he has to fit into an entirely different culture that is itself changing. And in a democracy, his power will be greatly reduced. Mordred falls under the influence of those who resent Arthur and have ambitions of their own. They use personal intrigue to undermine political plans. Arthur finds it difficult to recognise that the Court is turning against him. He is blinded by the belief that his own ‘rightness’ is enough to guarantee success.

The struggle culminates on the night the townspeople put on a traditional play, meant to show the values of Kingship that they hold dear. Their real King has always insisted that reason is preferable to blind faith. But how will he respond when his own faith is tested?

3* REVIEW of 'Self Help'/'Respect' by Edinburgh Evening News

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

...Gallo and director Andy Corelli produced a clever, engaging, and witty piece which was entertaining but also contained a good smattering of social comment.

3* REVIEW of 'Self Help/'Respect' by RemoteGoat

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Andy Corelli directs the performances with a minimum of decoration and fuss

REVIEW of 'Self Help'/'Respect' by the Skinny

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Siege Perilous deserve respect for their casting, imagination and vision.

REVIEW of 'Still'/'Signs of Life' by British Theatre Guide

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Quinn is certainly a playwright who isn't afraid to experiment

PREVIEW of 'Still'/'Signs of Life' by The List

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Cormac Quinn is fast distinguishing himself as a name to watch.

Tickets for all shows now available online

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Tickets for all shows by Siege Perilous and visiting companies to the GRV will be available through www.wegottickets.com. This fantastic site charge only 10% of the ticket price as commission. For Siege Perilous shows, this means a small 60p per ticket for the convenience of speedy, convenient and secure online booking. There will be a button for each show so you won’t have to trawl through the site.

Details of next show in June

Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

‘Self help’ and ‘Respect’ by Edinburgh writer Anita Gallo will be performed 23-28 June 2009 at the GRV, Edinburgh.

Anita is passionate about drama, recently giving up her Management career to write full time. Since 2005 she has won the BMI Poetry Competition, had work performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, had short films screened on Sky TV and been short-listed for two film script competitions.

‘Still’ and ‘Signs of Life’ come to Edinburgh

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

These two pieces of new writing by Glasgow-based Cormac Quinn were performed to critical acclaim in Glasgow’s Ramshorn Theatre June 2008 by CorCor Theatre. …”A cracking double-bill” The Scotsman****

New space and seating at the GRV

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

After a successful opening in February, The GRV is demonstrating its commitment to live theatre by moving shows to a wonderful upstairs space called ‘The Cube’. It is installing brand new raked seating to accommodate an audience of 60 in greater comfort. On the floor below is The White Room, a large comfortable room full of natural light decked out with leather sofas, tables and chairs, and its own bar where theatre goers can relax with a drink when coming to see a show. This means that the theatre will be completely self-contained offering a great night out.

Extra nights added

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

With theatre moving upstairs to the Cube, live bands and club nights can continue uninterrupted. This means that we can perform for more nights and initially, we will increase from 4 to 6 nights. It also offers flexibility to add more dates at a later stage subject to demand. There is also the added benefit that once you’ve seen a show, you can catch a live band or join in a club night downstairs.

3* REVIEW of 'Night Duty'/'Desk Job' by The Scotsman

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

(of 'Desk Job') sharply directed by Corelli with an excellent six-strong cast.

New theatre space at the GRV in Spring, 2009

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Siege Perilous has teamed up with established central Edinburgh multi-media arts venue The GRV to launch theatre in one of its recently refurbished spaces. We plan to produce a programme of our own work and that of other invited theatre companies. It will comprise mainly new writing together with adaptations of existing work. Each show will run for four nights from Sunday to Wednesday. You will see a quality show, and with tickets at a single fixed price of £5 for each performance across the entire programme, you can afford to relax with a drink or cocktail before or after in the venue’s cosy, funky bar. We have already started to build a mailing list for those who want advance notice of the programme and other activities. To join this list, send an email to info@siegeperilous.co.uk headed ‘GRV’. The programme will kick off on Sunday 15th February.

Production of 'King Arthur' at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Siege Perilous will again be working with Pendragon Associates to bring the full-scale version of this new writing to Edinburgh Festival Fringe ‘09 following a successful performed reading at the Bedlam Theatre in Fringe ‘08.

Full details of the venue, dates, times and ticket prices will be announced in due course.

If you would like us to send you the information as soon as it is confirmed, send an email to info@siegeperilous.co.uk headed ‘King Arthur’ to be added to the mailing list.

Due to demand, Andy Corelli to restage 'Still'

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Following the acclaimed staging of ‘Still’ by exciting new Glasgow-based writer Cormac Quinn’s at NewWriting NewWorlds 2007, ‘Still’ together with a further new work ‘Signs of Life’ are to be shown at Ramshorn Theatre, 25-27 June 2008 at 8 p.m. (30 mins each show plus 15 min interval). Tickets are £8/£5 and can be booked by calling the Ramshorn on 0141 552 3489.

Shian Denovan and Fiona Morrison perform in both productions.

Andy Corelli invited to direct a reworking of the ‘King Arthur’ legend

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Planned for production in August 2009 at Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a rehearsed reading as a precursor at 2008 Edinburgh Fringe, this is a new piece of writing by Lucy Nordberg. Entry to the rehearsed reading at Bedlam Theatre, Edinburgh is free but tickets are required.

The play has enormous resonances with Edinburgh, which is the capital of kingdoms, both historically and in literature. And from Arthur’s Seat to the Castle, the very structure and architecture of the City itself is marked, and defined, by the reigns of Monarchs. So, the launching of the play in Edinburgh has the potential to become an ‘Edinburgh event’.

REVIEW of 'Pericles' by ReviewsGate

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Played in an upbeat style, the lines are delivered by the cast with clarity and understanding and at a good pace.

4* REVIEW of 'Pericles' by Three Weeks

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0100

...half way through, when you realise what exactly they've done with the Chorus... simply wonderful.

Welcome to our next website

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

In an experience akin to a DIY makeover programme on the tv, the designers and decorators have been in to give our wee presence on the world-wide web an overhaul and fresh lick of paint!

Andy Corelli to direct at NewWriting NewWorlds 2007

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Andy has been invited to direct an exciting piece of new writing by Cormac Quinn at NWNW07 18-24th June 2007 at Gilmorehill G12 Theatre, Glasgow.

We’re doing the Edinburgh Festival Fringe again!

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

We are performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2007 for the duration of the Festival 3-27 August with our latest adaptation, Shakespeare’s Pericles.

Innovative approach used for corporate role-play/training

Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 +0100

When the MD of global company Saint Gobain was looking for a way to present the results of the latest customer research findings, Tina presented him with the novel suggestion of using actors to recreating more realistic customer scenarios to help the sales team change behaviour.

REVIEW of “Measure for Measure” – restructured by Clare Brotherwood, Slough Observer

Mon, 01 Oct 2001 00:00:00 +0100

The Farnham Common-based professional theatre company, Siege Perilous, came up with a winner when they staged their first production.

REVIEW of “Measure for Measure” – restructured by Michael Gray, ‘Chelmsford Weekly News’

Mon, 01 Oct 2001 00:00:00 +0100

“Does this bring Shakespeare back to life for the Zap generation? Yes, when it tells the story clearly and succinctly in 100 minutes”

Tour and schools workshop programme sets off for Birmingham

Sat, 01 Sep 2001 00:00:00 +0100

This adaptation was first performed to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2000 when it was staged at the esteemed Hill Street Theatre managed by Universal Arts. Following a very favourable reception, a UK wide tour was organised starting at the recently refurbished Solihull Arts Centre 1st and 2nd October.

4* REVIEW of “Measure for Measure” by Nick Awde, ‘The Stage’