General Basha Bash is a very loyal man. Loyal, that is, to the current government, until he topples it. So far in the African nation of Guatana he has taken part in nine military coups. But the Supreme Council for Advanced Redemption, the governing council of the new regime, has hardly started lining its pockets, when General Basha Basha is planning his 10th uprising. With his wife egging him on like Lady Macbeth, Basha decides that he wants the top job for himself, and when the outside world starts objecting to a regime of military rule, the perfect solution is found - constitutional monarchy. King Baabu is born, and there is nothing in the slightest bit constitutional about the way he sets about ruling through a combination of intimidation, rape and murder. Before long he is planning to unify the entire continent into one kingdom - Pax Baboonia.
Wole Soyinka's play, receiving its European premiere courtesy of Zimbabwe's Over the Edge theatre company, takes Ubu Roi and Macbeth to Africa to create a sly, rumbustious parable about the fragile nature of democracy in emerging nations, and shows how the acceptance of corruption helps dictators to thrive. Over the Edge's production is a little raw, but its rough-around-the-edges style only adds to its energetic charm, and the actors grow in confidence as this bloody tale unfolds. The term "shotgun wedding" is given new meaning in a show that sees the funny side of an African tragedy.
· Until August 24. Box office: 0131-225 6575.
