By Rachel Taylor
What is Scotland?
That is the primary question posed by Scottish Youth Theatre's original
piece, "Now's The Hour". However, it is not as simple a question as
it seems. It necessarily involves the following questions:
What is Scotland now?
What was Scotland? What has she been?
What do we want her to be - and how do we get her there?
This engaging, sharp and thoroughly witty show is achingly raw and
entirely honest. This is a group of young people, many of whom will cast their
very first vote in next year's referendum and all of whom are grappling with
the above questions.
It is a rare gem in preparation for next year's vote, as it presents an
utterly unbiased view. Rather than pushing an agenda, it explores with
thoroughness many of the issues which are necessarily involved with the debate.
No real indication is given of how the actors intend to vote, but the open
truth of the issues is presented and the audience are left to reach their own
conclusions.
From a performance point of view, the show stands in a league of its
own, requiring a relatively small principal cast to act, sing, dance and
accent-hop, manage a show which covers everything from dance and movement to
rib-aching comedy to sombre and moving deep thought...and it’s all managed with
great skill.
This should be required viewing for everyone in the country before next
year.
If you didn't have the chance to see Now's The Hour, you can still catch it at the Festival of Politics on Saturday
24 August in the Scottish Parliament. http://goo.gl/HxWFb
