Four Steps Back @ Summerhall

The end of February sees Summerhall yield three days of its programme to the newer voices of the playwriting community. Four Steps Back is a collection of four short plays by four new writers, supported by the University of Edinburgh English Literature department. 

Although short, the plays by no means consider easy subject matter. Rekha takes on the attempt to reconcile Rajesh, the main character, with his past, while Leaving Mary follows Dezie's efforts to accept and deal with the possibility of losing Mary, his wife, to illness. After a loved one's death, being the one left behind and trying to move on is difficult, yet not impossible, as Laura finds out in A Fortiori. Finally, set during the bombings of Dundee in World War II, Blitzed explores the impact of being marginalised and rejected by society. 

It is encouraging to see Summerhall supporting some of Scotland's newest playwrights, something that has traditionally been the Traverse's role. The building Summerhall settled in used to belong to the University of Edinburgh Royal Dick Veterinary School, so this could perhaps be seen as an acknowledgment of its location, reconnecting with the building's developmental history. It ought to make for an exciting dramatic evening for four young playwrights; having their work shown in a public space and a public forum is undeniably a vital and significant step to take.