Aros, Portree, Isle of Skye, 3-5 December 2008

Isle of Skye Youth Theatre (photo - Jon Pear)

“WITH a little bit of luck…” plus a fantastic script, wonderful music and sing-a-long lyrics, it’s hard to go wrong with My Fair Lady. The young cast from Portree High School certainly got it right when they played to a full house three nights running.

From the main protagonists through to the lowliest servant of the 35-strong cast, they sang, danced and acted through more than two hours of top-quality entertainment. Despite limited time for rehearsal, due to school timetables and exams, a thoroughly professional approach ensured there were very few stumbles. As part of Eden Court Theatre’s Out of Eden project, this is no mere after-school drama group.

“It’s treated as a professional theatre company,” said Director Kati Kozikowska, one of 10 outreach workers located throughout the Highlands. “Many of the cast are seriously interested in a career in the theatre”.

Annie MacLeod (Eliza Doolittle) and Tamas Fazakas (Henry Higgins) have both applied for – and fully deserve – a place at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Callum Mackenzie’s splendidly pompous Colonel Pickering suggested similar promise. They began a little hesitantly, but after the first rousing song and dance routine with the full chorus, they were on track and took the audience with them – yes, it was luvverly.

This was an ambitious production, with some complex choreography by Lorayne MacLucas of SkyeDance, numerous rapid changes of scene and costume, and a demanding musical programme for the band – Leighton Jones (piano) and Hector MacInnes (drums) from local band Injuns, mentoring school pupil Lee Mackintosh on bass.

It worked. As Eliza’s “rain in Spain” fell precisely, perfectly, and triumphantly on the plain, there was a grin on every face in the auditorium. “Gor blimey, she’s wonderful, isn’t she?” said my neighbour in the audience – and so she was. So were they all.

If you missed the Skye performances, there might be a chance to see the Isle of Skye Youth Theatre’s My Fair Lady at Eden Court Theatre – keep an eye on the events programme

© Terry Williams, 2008

Links

• Eden Court Theatre