Fringe review: THE BALLAD OF TRUMAN CAPOTE, Northern Line Productions - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: Murdo MacLeod

New York's Plaza Hotel, 1966. The American writer Truman Capote is about to throw the party of the century. As his A-list guests arrive, Capote retires to the solace of his suite to drink martini's and gossip with himself about celebrity life and the meaning of self-invention, reminiscing about his childhood and how he created a new art form with his book, In Cold Blood.

Written by Andrew O'Hagan (three-time Booker-nominated author), The Ballad of Truman Capote is a tale of literary life, which captures the inner monologue that drives Capote perfectly.

Performed in-the-round, the set is Capote's hotel suite and the direction is just enough to keep our attention as he potters around, making martini's or answering the telephone, without distracting from the sadness and melancholy of Capote's true voice.

Patrick Moy plays Capote. His unique voice and mannerisms imitated quite remarkably, you forget the real Capote is not actually present. It's a wonderful performance, the storytelling captivating the audience throughout as he embodies this unique man.

A fascinating insight, told with a fragility and calm.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

The Ballad of Truman Capote plays in the Upper Theatre (Round) at theSpace @ Niddry St at 6.05pm until 26 August.