Miranda Kane: Cross Bones
A touching and engaging one-woman show about sex workers
Imagine a Horrible Histories episode on the topic of medieval prostitution as presented by someone with intimate knowledge of the sex industry, and you'll have a good idea of Miranda Kane's latest one-woman show. After stumbling across the Cross Bones burial ground in London for the 'outcast dead' (read: prostitutes), Kane felt compelled to investigate further and share the stories of those lost to time and social propriety.
Energetic, engaging and often with a nervousness to her delivery that is belied by sure-footed material, Kane explains, quotes and re-enacts her way through some unbelievable moments from the past and the women that have been edited out of history books. Her previous show, The Coin-Operated Girl, covered her experiences as a sex worker and Kane draws on this personal perspective to draw parallels between treatment of the 13th and 21st century versions. A quick trawl through the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations passed in 2014 that bans certain acts from being depicted in pornography reveals that little has changed.
The hour is as educational as it is entertaining with Kane privileging untold stories over contrived punchlines and ending on an unexpectedly touching note.
Sweet Grassmarket, until 27 Aug (not 16), 4.15pm, £8 (£6).