In a thoughtful response to the horror of mass shootings, acclaimed Scottish playwright David Greig experiments with theatrical forms as he attempts to extract meaning from the carefully calculated yet deeply irrational violence that brings devastation to the lives of innocent people.
His key innovation comes from weaving the voice of a community choir into the fabric of the drama. On each night a different choir performs an eclectic assortment of songs and functions like the chorus in ancient Greek theatre by posing questions and commenting on the action of the play.
On opening night the Handel Quire rose to the occasion, beginning with an exquisite setting of the Priestly Blessing before moving into unfamiliar territory with an amusing bout of tribal chanting and a startling rendition of provocative lyrics from Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar.
The story centres on a lone gunman's murderous rampage unleashed on a village choir and "the events" are chillingly brought to life by a pastor who survived the massacre.
Tandi Wright's moving performance captures the feisty determination and fragile vulnerability of a liberal pastor who has abandoned her faith and seeks healing through a heady mixture of shamanism, psychology and political ideology.
