After the exhilaration of " The Dark Philosophers" and refreshed by some lovely haggis in the restaurant we were soon raring to return to Traverse One for " Ten Plagues".
You knew from the title that Mark Ravenhill's songspiel depicting one man's attempt to survive the plague in 1665 would not be a barrel of laughs. The choice of Marc Almond to bring these difficult songs to life was inspired as no-one can suffer musically like the former Soft-Cell lead singer.
Any fears I had that this idea couldn't sustain an hour's theatre were allayed as singer and writer beautifully conveyed the different emotions someone living through these extraordinary times would have experienced.
The occasional use of back projection helped to provide a kind of narrative but this is not just a historical drama. There is the underlying presence of the Aids epidemic made even more resonant by Marc Almond's own situation. We all knew he can sing but his voice now seems richer and fuller than ever. He has developed into an old-fashioned torch singer who is now one of the great interpreters of song.
Then just when you think your emotions have been wrung out there is an excellent and unexpected ending which will remain with you long after the show.
Another triumph for the Traverse.
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