BURKE AND HARE RETURN TO EDINBURGH Described as “the Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets the History Channel” The Butcher & the Thief makes its’ Edinburgh debut this week. A dark hour of blood-curdling humour and visual bombardment, the play is performed by two actors, a slew of puppets and several, rather disturbing, masks. The play brings the story of Edinburgh-based mass murderers, Burke (Robert Stocks) and Hare (Tommy Luther) home, and breathes new life into an old legend. In between the conspiracy-shrouded antics of Jack the Ripper and the media-fuelled frenzy of contemporary killing sprees, Edinburgh’s notorious “body-snatchers” have been largely forgotten over the past century. The Butcher & the Thief dissects the true nature of the grisly duo, their relationship and their crimes; exposing them in a factual and gripping light whilst reminding us that until Harold Shipman stole their bloody crown at the end of the last century, they were Britain’s most prolific serial killers. To a soundtrack of eerie original music, the play begins with Burke staggering to the fore and removing his own innards. This unsightly (and convincing) act pretty much sets the stage for the darkly amusing yet unsettling show to follow as we see Burke’s court case interspersed with Hare’s (inaccurate) account of the dastardly deeds his old friend committed.
	Themes of betrayal, violence, gross miscarriage of justice and love are all explored, with the actors flat-out in their multi-faceted roles. The characters are larger than life, if a little muddled at times, and fascinating to watch (though at times you may want to watch through the gaps in your fingers - this play will force you to hide behind your handbag on several occasions). The Butcher & the Thief is awash with symbolism and gimmickry. Puppets are used cannily to provide a background to the killings. The actors fill the stage to bursting with movement and fevered dialogue, and the talent of the cast, notably Luther’s impeccable performance and Stocks’ boundless creativity, is indisputable. At times, however, the play is too ambitious with plot and dialogue becoming confused and the flow seeking momentum. The props increasingly steal the limelight and fudge the actors’ performances in places. It is indeed a rare thing to create the stomach-turning horror of, say, Silence of the Lambs, in an hour on stage –but The Butcher & the Thief does it with aplomb. It’s a hugely promising debut from performer and writer Robert Stocks, who has turned his own dark fascination with the infamous murderers into a worthy theatrical experience and a visual treat that will go down a storm at its fitting wee hours slot at this year’s Edinburgh festival. Johanna Payton. The Butcher & the Thief runs nightly in Edinburgh between August 7th – 29th at the C Central Theatre, Carlton Hotel, North Bridge. Related Links: www.blanksheetproductions.com Comments?
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