Making its debut at the Fringe, In the Cold Light offers a quietly powerful drama focusing on Michael, a journalist, who becomes fascinated by the historical story of two close friends. One an Englishman, and one from the Isle of Mull, both men shared a deep love for climbing, and for one another. Inspired to trace down the truth of their perceived platonic relationship, and hoping to secure evidence that proves they were in fact romantically involved, Michael sets out on a quest to find the truth. In the meantime, his own past begins to catch up with him, and the old wounds he had once buried deep start to surface.
In the Cold Light is written, directed and performed by Aberdeenshire playwright George Grant, alongside cast members Clare Harbin, as Pam, and the interviewees: Graham Kellas, Illona Linthwaite, and James Ross Turner.
The use of screens and technology brings the story successfully into the modern age, a creative choice which I found clever, although at times a little repetitive. Throughout the show, the juxtaposition of black-and-white, grainy photographs and bright Zoom-call screens made for an interesting watch.
At times, I found the action to be slightly slow-moving. The revelation at the end was a little sudden, of which I felt I could have carried more emotional weight had Michael’s character been explored a little deeper from the start.
But where it may have felt a little flawed structurally, this was compensated by Grant’s incredibly moving dialogue. Some lines on the subject of grief stuck with me long after leaving the theatre. In the Cold Light is an original show that glows with melancholy, concluding with a final monologue that illuminates his skill as both a performer and writer.
In the Cold Light runs until the 29 August at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall. Buy tickets here.
Image by Louis Catliff, provided to The Student as press material.
