Mull Theatre Pop-Up Tour

16 Mar 2012 in Dance & Drama, Highland, Showcase

Macphail Theatre, Ullapool, 15 March 2012, and touring

A THEATRE production which can pop up anywhere that an audience and a welcome can be mustered is a great innovation.

Two plays which were first shown in Glasgow’s Oran Mor as part of the A Play, A Pie and A Pint initiative are being shown around the Highlands, and Mull Theatre even brings its own seating to reach the venues touring shows don’t usually make – although this one has its own.

James Kirk and Craig Porter in Waterproof (photo Douglas Robertson)

James Kirk and Craig Porter in Waterproof (photo Douglas Robertson)

Andy Duffy’s Waterproof is about two young blokes on a fishing trip and it’s a bit like, well, going on a fishing trip. You wait for the nuggets of philosophy and fun thrown up by the dialogue. In between you have to be patient. Perhaps if we had had the distraction of food and drink, the piece would have appeared to jog along at a good pace.

There is some powerful rumination on the nature of language and attitudes to sex. Philosophy and politics have their moment in the spotlight, too. Craig Porter, who plays Jack, has a vitality and charm which go a long way to keeping us watching. His character is a hedonistic student who lives to drink and womanise. However, he does a bit of reading too and likes to lecture his mate Gordon, played by James Kirk.

Kirk manages to convey his character’s sense of melancholy without losing a comedic dimension. He is plausible and charismatic. The production, however, is rather static. In fact, cut out a few of the attenuated pauses and it would make great radio. Indeed, the sound track deserves a mention. Seabirds, flowing water and off stage characters conspire to add aural interest.

In Scotland we have a heritage of walky, talky theatre whereby actors move a few paces, then deliver their lines. So, a whole wealth of opportunity to use movement to dramatic effect is lost.

Craig Porter, Darren Brownlie and James Kirk in From Paisley To Paolo (photo Douglas Robertson)

Craig Porter, Darren Brownlie and James Kirk in From Paisley To Paolo (photo Douglas Robertson)

The second piece, Martin McCardle’s From Paisley to Paolo, had no such omission, thanks to the presence of Darren Brownlie. Not only does Brownlie know how to move, he naturally expresses each nuance of feeling with his body. An emotional blow registers in his solar plexus. A shrug is executed with a graceful wave motion and the way he positions his body at any point conveys an attitude. It takes years of effort to look so effortless.

From Paisley to Paolo is about three blokes at a music festival. Surreal dialogue and risqué anecdotes elicited bouts of belly laughter from the audience. Yet, there are valuable moments of reflection and introspection in between.

Strong writing and talented actors lend richness to rural life. A bit more movement in the first piece would lend a visual dimension and give us something to focus on. Alternatively, just give us a pie and a pint!

© Jenny McBain, 2012

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