I’ve always tried to avoid reviewing musicals because, well, to be perfectly honest I pretty much detest them. So, the musical section of the Fringe magazine was not really something I paid much attention to on the run up to the festival. As you all well know, we all have to do things we’d rather not sometimes and I found myself going to see an opera called Manifest Destiny, recommended to me for its look at the war on terrorism and American global power. I decided to go. I got my ticket, took a deep breath and took the plunge. I have to say, seeing Manifest Destiny was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
The story is simple, but effective. We follow Leila, who sets to take revenge for her Palestinian fathers’ death by becoming a suicide bomber. However, things change as it comes to surface that her power of creativity is greater than that to cause death. Confused, she isolates herself eventually being caught by the Americans with tragic circumstances.
This has excellent performances with truly amazing music. Manifest Destiny will haunt your soul for many a day. Of all of the performances based around terrorism this year, this is the one to see. A miracle of a show that is sometimes beautiful and sometimes horrible. It is, however, always unforgettable.
©Alex Eades 18 August 2005 - Published on EdinburghGuide.com
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