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Christine Mackie, Shuna Snow and Isabel Ford. Whisky Galore
Belgrade Theatre*** George Bernard Shaw once remarked that
Englishmen always seemed to one whisky under par. It seems Scotsmen are
just the same. Compton Mackenzie’s well-known book, turned into
a well-loved Ealing Comedy, was based on a true story. In this
production, seven women play the 26 characters that people the tale. The islands of Little Todday and Great Todday,
one catholic, one protestant, are islands separated by a tiny strip of
sea and attitudes to the Sabbath but united in Spring 1943 by a serious
and life-threatening dearth of whisky. Even the ale is rationed to half
a pint a day. It’s not going well. Three weddings are on the cards, and whisky is
vital to celebrate. Into this circumstance, one foggy night, the HMS
Cabinet Minister runs aground with 60,000 cases of best whisky in its
hold. The family of Captain Paul Waggert (Isabel Ford) plus Dolly his
wife (Alicia McKenzie) and Paddy their dog (Joey Parsad) stand almost
alone against the oncoming moral onslaught as the unguarded whisky
gradually disappears into homes deprived for so long. Everyone else including timid schoolteacher
George Campbell (Aileen McCormack), terrorised by his unbending mother
(Christine Mackie) but determined to marry Catriona Macleod (Joey Parsad)
goes with the flow and has cupboards, lofts and sheds well stocked ready
for the celebrations. The trick of having a knowledgeable narrator
(Sally Armstrong) ostensibly putting on a show to tell the tale helps
pull a complex story together but doesn’t always provide enough
direction as to who is who in a confusingly large array of characters
where the actors play so many parts – and occasionally get it wrong – at
one point TWO Annag’s appear on stage! Sally Armstrong also plays Father
Macalister, a ‘portly priest’ and it’s a joyous performance. This is an enjoyable production with some very
hard-working actors telling a complex tale as well as being masters of
disguise. I had a cold and was right at the back and, together with the
soft Scottish accents, found it hard to hear. I enjoyed the gentle
malapropisms ‘I thank you for your hostility’ says Waggert to his host
at one point. I also enjoyed the rich language which added to the
physicality of the piece. Directed by Kevin Shaw this Oldham Coliseum, Hull
Truck and New Vic Theatres’ production runs to 23-06-18. Jane Howard 20-06-18 |
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