edfringe.com, August 5th, 2008

'DAILY BLOG - JACK MCGOWAN - ECSTASY'

KingsCross.... Luton... Buckingham... Stratford.... Rugby... Leicester... Nottingham... Worksop... Doncaster... York... Stockton... Newcastle... Amble...Berwick-Upon-Tweed...EDINBURGH!

Our Odyssey that started out all those months ago, has finally arrived at its final port of call.

The train chugs and shakes teasingly towards the platform of Haymarket station, as all aboard push and urge the bugger forward. Then it comes to a standstill. Suspended inside, we eagerly anticipate the doors opening at any moment. Any second now…any second…any bloody second....at last they swish open and within an instant we spill out onto the concrete. I glance, with delight, up and down the platform as the train coughs out its sweaty cargo of rogues, vagabonds and sturdy beggars that have descended upon Scotland’s capital. The platform is awash with pillows, suitcases, cigarette smoke and smiles…we have landed – the festival has begun.

After all and everyone is accounted for we plod along Dalry and briskly steer ourselves towards Caledonian Place, which will be our base for the next few weeks. It is during this leg of the journey that we experience the seasons of Spring, Summer and an Autumnal monsoon in the space of around 15 minutes. Hailing from Ireland this obviously stimulates pangs of homesickness, looking around, however, none of the others seem to be as sentimental.

“It will pass….its only a shower,” I tell all, as we huddle under a bus shelter that is within touching distance of our final destination. The torrent eventually turns to spit and off we go again.

The first thing that strikes me about the city is also its most contrasting characteristic. This cosmopolitan city which is steeped in culture seems, to me, at this moment, to be fortified by its blackened-grey granite brickwork. It’s a harshness that seems incongruous with the warmth of the people we meet along the way.

But who cares about that now. We are here to celebrate one of its most celebrated children, Irvine Welsh. I feel very fortunate to be here performing in one of his most skilful, evocative and eloquent creations “Ecstasy”. A piece of writing that penetrates the underbelly and evokes every sense along the way.

Pangs of homesickness???......Nonsense!....This is home.

For more information check out www.easytigerproductions.com