| "World class Yasemin Özdemir...left with tears down my face" |
Wales at Edinburgh Fringe in the 2020s |
| Angel- Torch Theatre , Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, Edinburgh , September 1, 2022 |
“Angel” was one of the first productions of 2021 after the easing of the pandemic regulations. Peter Doran directed and Sean Crowley was designer. Yasemin Özdemir was as a member of the Torch Youth Theatre and graduated from RWCMD in 2020. From Theatre Travels: “Whether or not there was a woman named Rehana, who came from the small town of Kobane in North Syria, may be up for negotiation - was she a hero or a myth by which to teach with? Either way, British playwright Henry Naylor has taken the story and delivered one of the best one woman shows I have ever seen. “Angel follows Rehana’s journey from farm girl to aspiring lawyer to sniper, a transition necessitated by the rise of ISIS in her region. Where we once hear of her playing in the trees on her family’s property, we then see her wanting to go to school but being kept back for shooting lessons with her father, and yet, these lessons still remain innocent enough and as an audience, we remain, alongside Rehana, hopeful. This escalates as she gets older and we see that though her father sounds progressive and like a freedom fighter, he is also aware. These lessons prove more necessary than Rehana could have ever anticipated. “Despite being a one woman show, supplementary characters are well defined and established, particularly that of Rehana’s father. We get such a strong sense of their relationship, their bond. We also get an almost visceral sense of the farm, particularly of the ancestral trees that dominate the land. The clarity and power of these relationships are a tribute both to Naylor’s excellent and highly descriptive writing, and the beautiful execution of it before us. “The set is cleverly minimal - two halves of a small brick wall and a couple wooden boxes are all that we have to build this world, and its many settings, from. Though sparse, the set is perfect and controlled expertly by Ozdemir who is forced not to rely on the bells and whistles of production design, but almost solely on the story itself. Her costume again is traditional - cargo pants and a tank with hair in a neat braid - and yet is perfectly layered in its meaning and neat in its presentation. “...In just an hour there is a lot to cover so the play moves quickly and efficiently but holds perfectly for Naylor’s signature comedy throughout. Again, Ozdemir reminds us of her talent by executing the pace, the humour and the sincerity of the story with precision. As Ozdemir delivers her final line (in a perfectly accomplished accent I must add), I sat there torn between wanting to cry and wanting to scream - this piece is the desperate reminder we all need to hear as to cost of war. Whatever the emotion, I was compelled to jump to my feet for a standing ovation before the fade to black was complete.” From Scottish Field: "I have seen some wonderful productions and now, having watched Angel, I can say that any further productions will have to be extraordinary to better it. "...The play is fast moving as there is a lot of ground to be covered, but at no time is it hurried. It is a tribute to the wonderful writing of Henry Naylor. Wonderful as his writing is, it is outshone by a stunning, exquisite, and passionate piece of acting by Yasemin Ozdemir. Ozdemir is one of the most powerful actors I have ever seen; she is truly brilliant and it is her performance that brings this great script to full life. "It’s a rarity for me to award five stars but this production deserves every one of them. It’s outstanding theatre." From the National: "Özdemir's captivating, undeniably honest acting, every aspect of the story finds a bold and compelling expression" From the audience commentary: "We were completely mesmerized by the performance. Such a dramatic story which was told in a sensitive way, a wonderful piece of theatre." "Heart wrenchingly powerful drama truthfully delivered by a brilliant young actor. I suspect that this performance will be the one I recall in years to come when I look back on Fringe 2022. Not an easy watch, but a vital one. Strongly recommended." "A beautiful, heart warming and heart breaking piece of storytelling performed from the world class Yasemin Özdemir. Was left with tears down my face and blown away having just watched an incredibly written, directed and acted show which took me through all the emotions. A must see!" "A wonderful, moving, thought provoking and at times laugh out loud tour de force. The young actor powers her way through the hour and captivates the audience. Very highly recommended." Sources quoted, with thanks: https://www.theatretravels.org/post/review-angel-at-gilded-balloon-patter-hoose-ed-fringe https://www.scottishfield.co.uk/culture/fringe/fringe-review-angel-by-henry-naylor/ The National: subscription Audience feedback at: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/angel-by-henry-naylor |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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