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REVIEW: Dance theatre meets art installation in Alan Cumming’s Burn

alan cumming burn
Burn is at His Majesty's until Saturday August 27. Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.

“And still my motto is: I dare!” said Robert Burns. But those could have easily been Alan Cumming’s words.

After all, the West End legend dared to challenge the ‘biscuit-tin’ image of Scotland’s National Bard and make his dance debut at 57.

But Burn – Alan’s new show which had its Aberdeen premiere last night – is more of a theatrical one-man extravaganza peppered with dance movements rather than what you’d normally class as a dance show.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. I’m certain the majority of yesterday’s audience was made up of Alan’s fans, with only a small percentage being dance enthusiasts.

Filling the HMT with his charisma, Alan held the audience in the palm of his hand with his portrayal of Robert Burns as a physically and mentally fragile, troubled individual.

A scene from Burn. Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.

Show inspired by bard’s letters

The actor, who rocked shoulder-length hair and black eyeshadow, explored the bard’s emotional state with distinctive hand movements and striking gestures but sadly, that energy didn’t really translate into his whole body.

Alan is undoubtedly an incredibly talented actor – his spoken word was thrilling – but the dance movements lacked passion – they were performed, not felt.

But the show didn’t heavily rely on Steven Hoggett and Vicki Manderson’s choreography to explore the “real man behind the legend”. Burn also used Scottish composer Anna Meredith’s wonderful score and snippets from the bard’s letters and poetry.

The National Theatre Of Scotland production, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival, was created by cutting and pasting words from Burns’ letters, shedding a different light on the bard’s journey from ploughman to poet, his struggles with poverty, and interest in women.

Alan Cumming at His Majesty’s in Aberdeen. Photo by Kami Thomson

Modern art installation

Those not too familiar with the bard’s story may have found the performance a bit hard to follow as Burn focused more on feelings than facts.

But everyone had to appreciate the creative set design, stunning lighting, and the use of video which at times made the theatre production feel more like a modern art installation – in the best way possible.

Tim Lutkin’s lighting illuminated the stage and auditorium, creating drama and contrast with Ana Inés Jabares-Pita’s stripped-back set design.

Andrzej Goulding also did a fantastic job with the show’s video – displaying dates, locations and even creatures – which added another dimension to the performance.

alan cumming burn
Burn – co-created by Alan Cumming – just premiered in Aberdeen and will soon travel to Inverness. Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Burn: Unique chance to see Alan Cumming in Aberdeen

The last time Alan performed at HMT he played the god of wine and pleasure Dionysus in the Greek tragedy The Bacchae. That was almost 15 years ago. So don’t miss your unique chance to see the Tony and Olivier award-winning actor perform while he’s still in Aberdeen.

And if you attend tonight’s show (Thursday, August 25), you will even have a chance to ask the talented Scottish actor any question you may have as there will be a special post-show Q&A – open to all Thursday ticket holders.

Burn is at Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre until Saturday, August 27. Tickets can be purchased here. Those in Inverness can see the show at Eden Court from Thursday, September 8 to Saturday, September 10. Click here if you wish to purchase tickets.

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