Burnt Flamingo Productions have brought to Edinburgh a show re-examining all vilified historical women through the story of Mary I. The show follows the archbishop Thomas Cranmer played by Kelvin Giles as he waits in his cell to ultimately face the stake, and Queen Mary I played by Frankie Hyde as she rejects his pleas for mercy by exposing the evil done to her throughout her life. Burn is dramatic, intense, and perfectly encapsulating of the struggle of women in power.
From the second you enter the room you are transported back into Tudor England, the set dressed with slanderous names that have been used against Mary I, setting the tone expertly for the rest of the performance. A chalk board in the centre of the room creates a live representation of the changing opinions of Mary throughout the story, and what lead to her being known as Bloody Mary. It is an ingenious inclusion which compliments the overall immersion and plays a crucial role in the climax which was incredibly powerful.
Both actors were power-houses in their own right. While Giles was able to balance reserve, frustration and desperation, Hyde supplied an intensity and even humour that was reminiscent of Jodie Comer in Prima Facie. This made for a stunning duo that truly seemed to have a history of hatred between them. There was moments of sluggishness that could have been paced slightly better, but it never felt too long as to pique my interest. There were also the smallest errors in blocking, but the actors seamlessly recovered, making it all seem well-planned.
What really sold the period and power of the show was a transportive score by Jane MacFarlane. It was jolting and fierce, keeping you on-edge and feeling the fire that burns inside Mary from years of hardship.
BURN left a great impression on me. I felt more powerful leaving the room as I considered the ability of women to gain and use their power despite many detractors. The story of Mary I will be with me long after this production, as the company was able to reclaim the story of Bloody Mary into another fable concerning the mistreatment of women.
Content warnings include miscarriage.
BURN is running until 15 August at The Vault at Paradise Buy tickets here.
Image Credits: Burnt Flamingo Productions.
