On the surface, it sounds unbelievable. How could something so traditional as a historic church surprise anyone? Having enjoyed a few plays already at C South Theatre, (housed this Summer at St Peter’s) something holds me back from leaving.
Even in the cold evening it is worth putting on a thick layer on, as I see others do, and just enjoy the calm of the courtyard. There is a special moment with a great view of Arthur’s seat behind the church. It is a part of Holyrood Park that is less visited. There is an incredible uplifting feeling in the building.
A show with heavy marketing, laden down with posters, guided me South. In such a buyers’ market the festival-goer is often asking what is the value of this experience to me? I just wasn’t sure I was going to find it in a Church and I am in a rush to pack in more in my last full day here.
The Church has a garden, which invites tranquility and references the green meditation lawns of Physic Gardens. Magic is brought to the garden this Summer as it used as a canvas for staging ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ easing us out of our modern day consciousness. The services within the Church use a sonorous 19th century organ with a Choir fluent in Tudor and renaissances compositions, all as part of the services.
‘Above all else guard your heart’
Proverbs 4, 26
Progress links the story of the Church to the growth of the Festival. As the number of companies coming to Edinburgh increase in size, the boundaries of the Fringe circuit grows with three other venues setting up this year in close proximity to the Church. St Peter’s was founded to provide a place of worship for the growing number of parishioners at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh’s city centre.
With the high volume of new shows sold at the door of Edinburgh venues; it can feel like a lottery. So it is great to be a fresh pair of eyes finding an unexpected treasure of a Church and finding a hall that houses challenging stories, this year including ‘Notoriously Yours’ a drama which looks at the security of the Internet.
I consider the bumpy tram ride home but as I am ushered out of my final show I learn how a flowing warm community is moving. Unlike a traditional performance space it does not feel empty after the final curtain because aspirational buildings of faith shake visitors out of disconnectedness by sharing a special beauty.
The South of the city offers a better chance of reflection and a close connection to Scottish history during the busy Festival. The geometric church is by William Slater 1857-65 and the organ is by Frederick Holt 1865. There are stained glass windows in the chancel windows by Clayton & Bell 1865. The spire is 80ft, the wooden panels are detailed with patterns and the light fades from the stained glass window. The bold use of red with a stencilled decoration of golden keys in a diamond pattern gives back richness to the inside of the building as darkness falls. What holds you back keeps you strong, even when it’s time to go. Edinburgh hits a brand new direction every year. Whilst heading home and seeing Edinburgh in the rear view mirror is sad, it is suddenly good news that venues, just like me, are to be found heading further South. Next year I will bring a friend.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
