Theatre review: Don't Frighten The Straights, Paradise in Augustines, Edinburgh
An experienced storyteller whose work has been read on BBC Radio 4, Turan Ali has a repertoire of more than 40 stories, from which he selects three or four each night to form the basis of his show.
Don't Frighten The Straights, Paradise in Augustines, Edinburgh * * *
On our visit we heard, for example, about his work trip to Eastern Europe in which he picked up an extremely handsome man, only for his guest to utter what sounded like a term of casual antisemitic abuse; in which case, Ali had to decide whether he stayed for the sex or left and kept his conscience clear. In another tale, meanwhile, a police programme to integrate with the community brings a young policeman to Ali and his partner’s house to stay the weekend, and a revelation that football is more powerful than prejudice.
Until 25 August
David Pollock