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Trouble, Struggle, Bubble & Squeak

4 stars

 

When Victoria Melody gets hold of an idea, she doesn’t let it go. After shows about Northern Soul and dog shows, Melody’s latest obsessive outing charts her fascination with the seventeenth century English Civil War. Having developed a particular interest in the Diggers, the band of agrarian rebels who rose up across several battles to argue for a fairer society, Melody joins a historical re-enactment society. 

 

Unfortunately she accidentally joins the wrong side, which is why she greets the audience dressed in the authentic uniform of a Royalist musketeer. This doesn’t stop her instigating a mini revolution of her own, as the local grassroots initiative where she is artist in residence rises up to ward off developers and town planners. 

 

Melody is an all too human polemicist, who pokes fun at her own failings as she joins forces with the community she helped create. Prime movers of these different strands are represented by large-scale photographs on sticks. Little victories come in the form of a discovery of a new species and a show of solidarity through the ranks. Directed by Mark Thomas, Melody’s heartfelt and funny piece of real life rabble rousing is part living newspaper, part civic intervention that becomes a moving and inspirational comic call to arms. 

 

Pleasance Courtyard until 24 August, 2.15pm. 


The List. August 2025

 

ends

 

 

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