The third annual Fringe programme from the Belltable opened with Castradiva which, as the title indicates, has as its subject one of those 18th century singers who, for the greater glory of God, was assisted by the Catholic Church to swap masculinity for an exceptional singing voice.
The solo role is taken by Welsh actor-singer Buddug Verona James, who takes the stage with a swagger in costumed finery. For the next hour she sings seven arias by Handel and Gluck in a magnificent voice with, to my untutored ear, an androgynous tone. Around them she weaves a saucy little tale of the sex life of her ilk in Roman society, using masks to introduce other characters.
The singing is the thing here and, for the bravura hour-long performance, boredom is simply not an option. A trio of musicians on harpsichord, baroque violin and viola provide excellent accompaniment.
This is followed later, as a separate production, by another solo act, Linda Marlowe in Berkoff's Women. Anyone familiar with the author's work will know that Steven Berkoff is a writer-actor of extremes, and a master of his own material. Not everyone else can handle it, but Marlowe worked with him for 25 years, and is quite brilliantly clued in to its content and rhythms.
She portrays all kinds of women: Phoney; society; Greek myth tragedienne; East End tough; rejected and lonely. In lesser hands, I don't know how it would fare, but Marlowe is a versatile and committed actress who makes it work.
Runs until Saturday; new programme next week. To book phone 061-319866