Review by Northings
The Great Tartan Haggis of Tooriebrochan
15 Dec 2009 in Dance & Drama, Moray
Alves, 10 December 2009
THIS CHILDREN’S show from Right Lines and the Red Shoes Theatre Company got all the important stuff right. It got a lot of kids involved in drama, encouraged and received the active support of local communities, and told a good story well. It also got children’s theatre out and about in Moray with performances in Aberlour, Glenlivet, Alves and Elgin.
A tale of homecoming in this year of Homecoming, the story revolved around a young American in search of his Scottish ancestry and his encounters with his couthy relatives, a fair maiden, some dastardly villains, the occasional monster, a very modern fairy-godmother and one substantial tartan haggis thrown in for good measure.
A strong performance from Gordon Jeans in the lead role as everyone’s idea of the typical American tourist brought the best out of a large cast consisting of professional actors, community and youth performers, and school children from the various villages. The adult performers kept the show structured and gave space for several wee stars among the younger members of the cast to flourish.
A simple set was brought to life with animated projections onto a large rear screen and this, along with over-the-top costumes and larger-than-life props ensured the attention of the younger spectators didn’t wander.
Where the show that I saw toiled was when it came to audience participation. As you’d expect with a production involving local schools, this was very much a children’s show, with none of the innuendo or double-entendre usually associated with panto.
A rather reserved, mainly adult audience failed to respond in any concerted way, and the cast had to work hard for a few feeble murmurs of “Oh no, it isn’t” and “He’s behind you”. The kids in the audience seemed eager enough, but they were looking to their Mums and Dads for a lead that never came. Shame!
But that was a minor aspect to what was otherwise a very positive experience. Homecoming money well spent, I’d say.
© Steve Coomber, 2009
