Yellow Moon #2
March 17, 2011
Yellow Moon — a magical must see
Yellow Moon gained great success when it appeared in the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe, and funnily enough in the Summer of 2011 it will return: the play will be representing Bristol University during this year’s Festival, and judging by this performance Scotland will be in for a ‘right bonny treat’ with this magical and affecting play.
It tells the story of two teenagers, Leilah and Lee, who run away together into the Scottish wilderness to try and begin their lives again. Yellow Moon is perfect for the Fringe – not only is it set in Scotland, but the minimum set and props makes for a show that relies mainly on the multi-roling actors. It is a beautiful production aided by beautiful script and acting. The main characters, Leilah and Lee, are superbly played by Helen Cooper and Kyle Major. The latter is dynamic and full of the swagger of ‘Stag’ Lee while also bringing a softness and sensitivity to the role; Helen demonstrates her powerful on-stage presence by holding the audience’s attention with only a few softly spoken words. The chemistry between them is palpable and both of their accents are spot on. The three other actors play several different characters while also presenting the story as narrators; although character work is good, the actors seem uncertain about how they should act on stage while narrating. There is also an intensely awkward section where they try to speak in time to rhythmic music – none of them had any syncopation and it generated sniggers from the crowd.
However, one of the main things that makes this production so unique is the use of original music throughout the play. Becky Ripley and Dave Ridley do a brilliant job with the live music, as it neither detracts from nor overpowers the piece. I was disappointed I couldn’t buy a CD of it afterwards – maybe next time though. I also disapproved of their carefully chosen ‘stag’ jumpers; although they acted as a humorous reference, I found the colours too bright, jarring with the rest of the stage instead of blending in.
This is a sensitive, thoughtful play with strong direction and I will be proud to let it represent Bristol University this summer.
Yellow Moon, by David Greig, ran at the Alma Tavern Theatre from 7th – 11th March 2011, and was directed by Nel Crouch and Fiona Mackinnon. It will be touring to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer.
The Play Group 
“In music, syncopation includes a variety of rhythms which are in some way unexpected in that they deviate from the strict succession of regularly spaced strong and weak beats in a meter (pulse). These include a stress on a normally unstressed beat or a rest where one would normally be stressed. …”
The reviewer’s comment about the narrators speaking in time to the music ‘generating sniggers from the crowd’ interested me; on the night I went, this episode in the play clearly entertained and delighted the audience. I believe that, in the script, this moment is very open to interpretation, and I personally enjoyed this more adventurous piece of direction in the play. I also found the reviewers objections to the stag jumpers quite unneccessary and ridiculous. If the music was as pleasant and engaging as the reviewer insists, the attire of the players should make little difference or effect.
Hello!
Just to qualify, I was sat behind the audience every night and every night I giggled like a little girl at the ‘rhythmic’ section… but let me assure you this was an expression of sheer joy as opposed to a nervous
reaction to awkward embarrassment. Fair enough if you found it slightly awkward… but, on the flip side, it was my personal highlight and genuinely the bit I most looked forward to each night!!
“This is a sensitive, thoughtful play with strong direction and I will be proud to let it represent Bristol University this summer.”
Thank goodness for that.