EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Thrown

Thrown wins the championship for hard-hitting drama,

A National Theatre of Scotland production, it’s about five women wrestlers. It’s not so much about the sport of backhold wrestling (a feature of Highland games) however, it’s more about how the women, all from different backgrounds, wrestle with their identities, racism, and relationships, not least with each other. And at the core it is how they wrestle with being Scottish and everything that means today in an uncertain climate.

From River City’s Lesley Hart as the strident coach, uncertain about her gender, through to Maureen Carr as Helen, married for 40 years and scared of her own shadow until she finds a voice, a sterling cast portrays each character superbly. There’s also Adiza Shardow as Chantelle, who has a mountain-sized chip on her shoulder, Efe Agwela as rich girl Imogen and loyal Chloe-Ann Taylor as Jo who bond as women of colour.

With no holds barred, Nat McCleary’s dialogue is brutal, bloody and bold, fast-paced and funny, and will give every women living Scotland something to think about.

Image: Julie Howden

Thrown is at the Traverse Theatre (Traverse 2) at various times until Aug 27 (1 hr 20 mins). Tickets: eif.co.ukn