Theatre review: Miss Marchbanks, Paradise In The Vault (Venue 29), Edinburgh

By SUE WILSON
Published on 11/08/2012 18:50

ADAPTED by literature graduate and self -proclaimed “Victorian aficionado” Laura Witz, the original for this tale of genteel, small-town Victorian young womanhood is the novel Miss Marjoribanks, by the Scottish-born author Margaret Oliphant – professionally titled in her day as “Mrs”.

Miss Marchbanks

Paradise in the Vault (Venue 29)

Star rating: * *

Precious little literary sensitivity or aficionado’s accuracy in the mores and idioms of the period are discernible in Witz’s dramatisation, a dearth largely mirrored in the skill of the performances. The best that can be said is that it conveys sufficient vestiges of Oliphant’s inquiring, satirical spirit to encourage seeking out the original.

• Until 18 August. Today 11:25am.