EDINBURGH 2016 - Review: SODDIN' FLODDEN, Spotlites, 16 August

Flodden is one of those bits of Scotland's past often referred to, for example in the folk song "The Flowers of the Forest", but not frequently taught. Hoping to be educated, I trooped along to Spotlites, where Soddin' Flodden presents the life of King James the 4th, from his youth right up to his death in one of the most important battles in Scottish history.

John Nicol performs all of the characters of the story, with the help of frequent changing of representative hats, and just as quick accent changes. Occasionally, remembering all of the different characters can get a little confusing to someone new to the story, but Production Company IDEOMS are thoughtful enough to provide a programme with biographies of all the mentioned characters. There is plenty of broad comedy throughout the performance, aided by some hardworking stage crew, and a little audience participation for those who sit in the front row.

Nicol is accompanied by a guitarist and fiddler, whose knowing looks and arched eyebrows in response to the story were the cause of much further amusement. Delightful song parodies from, Herman's Hermits to Cabaret via the Village People peppered the performance, and were certainly a memorable way to remember the events portrayed. Indeed, it's fair to say that history was never this much fun in school, nor did teachers give out free cake like at this performance!

The overall effect is witty, warm and charming and a far better way to get to grips with Scottish history than traipsing around tourist sites in the rain.

Soddin' Flodden is at Spotlites until August 28.

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