Edinburgh Fringe: 25: 13 Red, 12 Blue – C Aquila

Reviewer: Deborah Klayman

The Public Reviews Rating:

A new play comprised of monologues and vignettes, 25: 13 Red, 12 Blue follows a variety of characters who are all twenty-five and British. After thirteen years under a Labour government and twelve years of the Tories these “yoofs” have inherited a broken system riddled with debt and in the grip of the most severe cuts in public spending since the 50s. Timely, affective and politically savvy the piece embodies the disappointment of the so-called “Lost Generation”, and the despair felt by those who no longer hope for better.

With an accomplished cast and outstanding writing, this is one of the most prescient and poignant plays you will see this festival. Without preaching or resorting to dramatic violence, you are instead allowed to see a snapshot of each character’s life and its challenges. Scott’s opening speech is masterfully written and performed, setting the standard and tone for the whole piece. Punctuated by Sarah’s letters of rebuke to the leaders of the three parties, which are both meaningful and witty, we see the pressures and difficulties of modern life through each character’s eyes.

Although all of the performers are excellent, the actor playing Tim is particularly noteworthy due to his superb characterisation and subtlety. This is the right play at the right time and absolutely has its finger on the country’s political pulse – the characters speak of surviving life rather than living it, and for many that is now the reality. The staging and set are both simple and effective like the message, and the cast work as an ensemble in everything from interactions to scene changes to the well-deserved curtain call. An up-and-coming company, Middle Child Theatre have shown they are a force to be reckoned with, and we can only look forward to what follows.

Until 27^th August

Edinburgh Fringe: 25: 13 Red, 12 Blue – C Aquila, 4.8 out of 5 based on 4 ratings