Fringe 2024 A Singular Deception The Royal Scots Club 5th August Review
“A Singular Deception” is at the Royal Scots Club (Venue 241) for a very short run from 5th to 10th August, and this world premiere is a superb piece of theatre.
Based on the true story of Dr James Barry, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 1812, whose subsequent career as a military surgeon took him all over the world, culminating in the highest rank for a doctor in the Army, Inspector-General, it is fitting that this work should be performed by the Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group.
Written and directed by Hilary Spiers, “A Singular Deception” tells the story of Dr Barry (Jac Wheble) and his loyal manservant, Black John (Kenneth Brangman), with music and sound effects being provided by Flora Henderson. Although this play is about a serious historical subject, it is handled with much gentle humour, and really brings the characters to life.
It starts with Dr Barry on his deathbed, with Black John by his side, and then they revisit their first meeting and Barry’s subsequent life as a surgeon, with Jac Wheble and Kenneth Brangman taking on multiple parts. Dr Barry made it clear at that first meeting that he was a very private person and the utmost discretion would be required, upon which Black John assured him that, “I will serve you faithfully to the end”.
Barry was a social and medical reformer who transformed the treatment of sexual diseases, leprosy and mental illness, and was the first European to carry out a Caesarean where both mother and child survived. Despite his exemplary career, there were often rumours about his private life, and although women in general seemed to admire him greatly, no-one other than Black John was allowed to get close to him. In fact, it turned out that someone else had definitely got close to him, but to go into detail would spoil the story.
On his deathbed, Barry made Black John promise that no one else would be allowed to examine him and that he should be buried wrapped in his bed sheets. Unfortunately, this instruction was disobeyed, and the truth which Dr James Barry had successfully hidden during his almost 50 year career was finally out in the open. If you already know his story, then you’ll know what that truth was. If you don’t, then try and get along to see this wonderful piece of theatre.
Review by Lisa Sibbald © 2024
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com
Based on the true story of Dr James Barry, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Medical School in 1812, whose subsequent career as a military surgeon took him all over the world, culminating in the highest rank for a doctor in the Army, Inspector-General, it is fitting that this work should be performed by the Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group.
Written and directed by Hilary Spiers, “A Singular Deception” tells the story of Dr Barry (Jac Wheble) and his loyal manservant, Black John (Kenneth Brangman), with music and sound effects being provided by Flora Henderson. Although this play is about a serious historical subject, it is handled with much gentle humour, and really brings the characters to life.
It starts with Dr Barry on his deathbed, with Black John by his side, and then they revisit their first meeting and Barry’s subsequent life as a surgeon, with Jac Wheble and Kenneth Brangman taking on multiple parts. Dr Barry made it clear at that first meeting that he was a very private person and the utmost discretion would be required, upon which Black John assured him that, “I will serve you faithfully to the end”.
Barry was a social and medical reformer who transformed the treatment of sexual diseases, leprosy and mental illness, and was the first European to carry out a Caesarean where both mother and child survived. Despite his exemplary career, there were often rumours about his private life, and although women in general seemed to admire him greatly, no-one other than Black John was allowed to get close to him. In fact, it turned out that someone else had definitely got close to him, but to go into detail would spoil the story.
On his deathbed, Barry made Black John promise that no one else would be allowed to examine him and that he should be buried wrapped in his bed sheets. Unfortunately, this instruction was disobeyed, and the truth which Dr James Barry had successfully hidden during his almost 50 year career was finally out in the open. If you already know his story, then you’ll know what that truth was. If you don’t, then try and get along to see this wonderful piece of theatre.
Review by Lisa Sibbald © 2024
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com