ONLINE THEATRE REVIEW: Anne Bayne Of Duddingston Loch - Melbourne Fringe (digital online)

Written and performed by the multi-award winning writer Lita Doolan, and currently available to listen to online as part of the Melborune Fringe this month; ‘Anne Bayne Of Duddingston Loch’ is an one-person-audio-play which describes itself as being ‘a story about love - being apart yet connected, being apart yet together’. Set amongst the dramatic surroundings of Edinburgh in the eighteenth century, the listener is taken on an evocative and highly descriptive journey through the recountings of Anne Bayne, a woman who reminisces and reflects on her relationship to and separation from the artist, Allan Ramsay.

Dealing with themes of loneliness and ones relationship with nature and the surroundings, the audio play is an incredibly relaxing and gentle listen. Beginning with two soft chimes, Doolan’s delivery and pacing, combined with these intricate descriptions offers something that matches the likes of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (or ASMR for short).

The listener feels for this character who spends her time walking about the woods, dealing with a mixture of emotions and finding herself. The freedom of solitary is embodied in a golden eagle soaring high in the sky. Anne and Allan’s house, compared to a cave by Anne raises this idea of loneliness and becoming almost hermit-like whilst Allan is away in Italy. The discovery of her childhood home gone, also brings upon the listener this idea of time passing us by.

Especially in the last couple of years with COVID preventing many of us to spend time with loved ones, Doolan’s story may be close to home for a lot of us. Our own struggles and acceptance of being apart and alone is mirrored in Anne Bayne’s situation. Despite the story being set over two centuries ago, it remains relevant to today.

When one searches Duddingston Loch on the internet it is very easy to picture a lonesome woman wandering around in 1739. The picturesque setting is perfectly described by Doolan in her performance as Bayne. Touching upon the earlier point of this being an easy listen, ASMR-y audio play, it is incredibly easy to close your eyes and vividly picture everything which is described to you, and place yourself in Anne Bayne’s shoes (or lack of). The establishment of this world and descriptions are definitely the main take away from this, Doolan’s strengths as a writer are clearly displayed in this audio play.

At only thirty minutes' long, ‘Anne Of Duddingston Loch’ is the perfect piece to have on for that something-to-listen-to-on-your-way-to-work, or to have on in the background as you do chores. One can easily follow the story and get a feeling for the character and emotions without needing to dissect it in an overly-evaluative manner. It keeps you interested and invested without requiring you to be devoted to every word said. However at the risk of seeming somewhat dismissive of the work, paying some attention of the words really drives this atmosphere that Doolan creates which heightens the character, Bayne’s, emotional journey and understanding of herself.  

What is also great about this audio play is its accessibility; a digital file available on Soundcloud with additional excerpts on YouTube, and free to listen to. Thanks to the wonders of technology we are in a time where artists, writers, performers etc., have these platforms to exhibit their talents and works for us to experience and enjoy. On a broader scale, these digital events which make up the online section of the Melbourne Fringe mean one can enjoy something they may otherwise never get the opportunity to, and it is important to make the most of these opportunities and discover new avenues of art which were previously closed to us.

Reviewer - Daryl Griffin