Alison Skilbeck's Uncommon Ground

Theatre (new writing, solo show)

  • Assembly Rooms - Front Room
  • 12:40
  • Aug 27
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Suitability: 12+ (Guideline)
  • Country: United Kingdom - England
  • Group: Hint of Lime Productions
  • Warnings and additional info: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing
  • Accessibility:
    Relaxed Performance
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 18 months

Description

A play about six wildly different people, coping and connecting during one year on the Common, telling their unexpected tales of love, life, death and downright dottiness, while a seventh character lurks mysteriously. Directed by Gareth Armstrong, with music by composer Simon Slater (Constellations) and lighting design by Mark Dymock (Once). With the world premiere of her latest play, this is Alison's fifth time performing at Assembly. She is the writer and performer of three critically acclaimed plays: Are There More of You?, The Power Behind The Crone and Mrs Roosevelt Flies to London.

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General venue access

  • Relaxed Performance
  • Accessible entry: Venue is built on astroturf. Access via side entrance. Front of house will guide to separate entry.
  • Wheelchair access type: Level Access

  • Stairs: Information not supplied

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


Relaxed performances

  • Dates: 10 August
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team for more information or to discuss any accessibility requirements.
  • Character Introduction Details
  • Additional information: There will be an introduction to the show and characters at the start of the performance, the lighting will be adapted so that the auditorium lighting will not be so dim and the lighting levels not so high/bright, the sound will not play as loud, and we are happy if people need to move around.

Be aware that this show features:

  • Characters expressing anger
  • Heavily dialogue-driven scenes
  • Audience chill out area
  • Permission to move around and make noise
  • Show guide or synopsis or character list

Show does not feature:

  • Total Audience Black Out
  • Flashing Lights/Strobed Lighting
  • Loud/repetitive/high pitched/unexpected or overlapping sound
  • Distinctive smells
  • Special effects (e.g. smoke/bubbles/pyrotechnics)
  • Latex balloons
  • Audience required to walk around
  • Audience required to undertake directed movement
  • Audience required to sing/speak along with/for performer
  • Audience invited on stage
  • Performer goes into audience area
  • An intermission
  • Permission to engage with performer

How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Ruth 40 days ago

Charming and involving play, delightful and interesting as the piece evolves and shows you how the characters lives fit together on the Common. Wonderful riposte from the tree!

David Whiting 42 days ago

A clever well thought out piece of work. Excellent acting. Alison was able to bring each of these very diverse characters to life.
It was sold out on the day we went. Very professional

Norma Harris 51 days ago

Well conceptualised and performed thought provoking piece.
A good follow up from last year.

Michael Duncan 52 days ago

What a beautiful play. Very well written and amazing acting my wife and I loved it. Endearing and insightful. Made our festival…. Thank you.
(Also saw the actors’ partners play “the trials of Galileo” which was superb). What an amazing couple!)

Carina Martin 53 days ago

A relatable romp through the emotions and impacts of the pandemic, as experienced by a diverse group of neighbours. AS is extraordinary in her portrayal of each character - bringing us touching moments, hilarious anecdotes and surprising positivity. A true Masterclass in performance. Don't miss out on a ticket.

Sean Davis 56 days ago

Alison Skilbeck's Uncommon Ground (***)
The actress sets about sequentially portraying seven very different characters from a hamlet that have encountered some of the way. It is too apparent that Skilbeck wrote the piece to highlight her own versatility. It is a snapshot of a community with little plot.

This is the 12th most enjoyable of the 28 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see almost 200. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

Bouquets & Brickbats (4/5 stars) 41 days ago

A lovely piece of writing, gentle and lyrical, which captures the nuances of everyday speech with considerable skill.

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The Edinburgh Reporter (4/5 stars) 49 days ago

Alison Skilbeck’s Uncommon Ground is a charming, touching show with humour and real humanity. Skilbeck is a hugely talented and experienced actor (you may have seen her as Lady Elton in The Crown) who handles her material with sensitivity and skill to create an enjoyable look at the intersecting lives of six people – and one all important tree.

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One4Review (4.5/5 stars) 49 days ago

Alison Skilbeck is very convincing, using humour and great characterisation to captivate the audience throughout an hour of first-class fringe theatre. I would recommend catching this show before the entire run sells out.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.