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- guardian.co.uk, Friday 13 August 1999 00.00 BST
It's odd, the way some actors take imprints. After 25 years working with Steven Berkoff, Linda Marlowe has Josie Lawrence directing her in a one-woman show, and occasionally, as she recites one of Berkoff's scenes, an expression that is pure Lawrence will flash up on her face. If you find Lawrence immensely irritating, it's more than unnerving.
Marlowe's show consists of extracts from the women in Berkoff's plays, and though some are funny and touching, every so often the ghost of Lawrence clambers onstage and it gets a bit hammy. Berkoff probably has a bit to do with it: much shouting seems necessary to carry off Clytemnestra's speech, which starts "Fire travels, fire burns"and carries on like that.
It's an odd collection of speeches: none are designed to stir our sympathy, although most appeal to our humour. Despite losing us slightly at the end with the longest speech, Marlowe is convincing, showing why Berkoff chose her for his work. If only that Lawrence person would stay out of it.
Till August 30. Box office: 0131-226 2428.
