Home » Reviews » Drama » Review: Cianalas, King’s Head Theatre

Review: Cianalas, King’s Head Theatre

Author: Andrei-Alexandru Mihail in Drama, Fringe Theatre, Reviews 3 August 2024 0 477 Views

Camden Fringe 2024

Camden Fringe 2024 The annals of the last few thousand years of history are, in essence, a chronicle of land ownership conflicts. For farmers and rural communities, access to land isn't merely an economic concern —it's a matter of pride, joy and life itself. This fundamental struggle forms the beating heart of Cianalas, a new play by RamPage Theatre Company. Performed at the King’s Head theatre, it plunges the audience into one of Scotland's darkest chapters: the Highland Clearances. Set in the Scottish Highlands over a period of two years, Cianalas immerses us in a community teetering on the…

Summary

Rating

Good

A heartfelt glimpse into Highland resistance during the Clearances, Cianalas blends authentic performances and evocative music, though is at times hampered by predictable storytelling.

The annals of the last few thousand years of history are, in essence, a chronicle of land ownership conflicts. For farmers and rural communities, access to land isn’t merely an economic concern —it’s a matter of pride, joy and life itself. This fundamental struggle forms the beating heart of Cianalas, a new play by RamPage Theatre Company. Performed at the King’s Head theatre, it plunges the audience into one of Scotland’s darkest chapters: the Highland Clearances.

Set in the Scottish Highlands over a period of two years, Cianalas immerses us in a community teetering on the brink of upheaval. Niamh O’Donnell‘s script paints a vivid picture of village life, interweaving tales of love, gossip, and resistance against the looming spectre of forced evictions. The play’s strength lies in its ability to humanise an historical event, bringing to life the personal stories often overlooked in broader narratives.

However, Cianalas treads a well-worn path in its storytelling. The characters, while endearing, often feel like familiar archetypes — the overprotective father, the rebellious daughter in love, the wise and witty old woman. This predictability can sometimes undermine the drama, as seasoned theatregoers may anticipate dialogue and plot turns before they unfold. The inclusion of a subplot involving two English soldiers grappling with their role in the Clearances, while attempting to add complexity, feels somewhat disconnected from the main narrative.

Yet, it’s the capable cast that breathes life into these roles, elevating the material beyond its occasional predictability. The conflict between Lachlann (Peter Jeffries) and Seumas (Mark Moore) feels genuine as they clash over Una’s (O’Donnell) fate. Clara Doherty‘s Ciorstaidh steals scenes with her wit and spirited attitude, bringing joy to the stage with each appearance. A particularly powerful moment comes when young Seonaid (Katie Rough) is carried on stage after being trampled in a riot. Her agonised cries and soft whimpers as her wound is cleaned cut through any sense of artifice, freezing the audience in empathetic horror.

Director Anna Millington deserves credit for her deft balancing act, juggling the intimacy of personal stories with the broader historical context. The production truly shines in its attention to detail. Considered costumes and set design transport us convincingly to 19th century Scotland, while the integration of Gaelic elements balances authenticity with accessibility for all viewers. One of the production’s strongest assets is its use of traditional live music, directed by Imi Waters. This not only adds an extra layer of authenticity and emotion but also highlights the role of dance and revelry in community life. The inclusion of a ceilidh that involves the audience is a particularly delightful touch, allowing viewers to feel a part of the world being portrayed.

Despite being deeply rooted in Scottish history, the production resonates with surprisingly wide relevance. Its themes of land rights, community displacement, and resistance to change echo modern struggles worldwide, from urban gentrification to indigenous land disputes. O’Donnell’s script, while focused on the Highland Clearances, invites reflection on the ongoing tensions that continue to affect communities today.

Despite its flaws, Cianalas succeeds in bringing a crucial moment in Scottish history to vivid life. It serves as a reminder of the power of community and the enduring spirit of resistance in the face of oppression. While it may not break new ground in historical drama, it offers a solid, if somewhat predictable, evening of theatre that will resonate with anyone interested in the human stories behind historical events.

Written by: Niamh O’Donnell
Directed by: Anna Millington
Produced by: RamPage Theatre

You can hear more about this show in our recent podcast with some of the creative team here.

Cianalas has completed its run for Camden Fringe.

Tagged with:

About Andrei-Alexandru Mihail

Andrei, a lifelong theatre enthusiast, has been a regular in the audience since his childhood days in Constanta, where he frequented the theatre weekly. Holding an MSc in Biodiversity, he is deeply fascinated by the intersection of the arts and environmental science, exploring how creative expression can help us understand and address ecological challenges and broader societal issues. His day job is Residence Life Coordinator, which gives him plenty of spare time to write reviews. He enjoys cats and reading, and took an indefinite leave of absence from writing. Although he once braved the stage himself, performing before an audience of 300, he concluded that his talents are better suited to critiquing rather than acting, for both his and the audience's sake.
© Everything Theatre 2011-2024