Lorna Irvine reviews the flawed but good-natured production, part of Behaviour 2013.
In a week dominated by the passing of a highly divisive political figure, Kieran Hurley's new show for Behaviour could not be timed any better. But where his last piece (Beats) was an intense collection of monologues based around the early nineties rave culture, this is a cosy folksy counterpart, examining Scottish identity and the grand tradition of storytelling in song.
Written in collaboration with his partner Julia Taudevin and friends Gav Prentice and Drew Wright, it is very much a mixed experience- although McPherson the drunk's despair is fantastically drawn and performed by Hurley,Shona, a fifteen year old girl drinking Mad Dog and pondering Adam Smith's philosophy is a little clunky (even smart young girls aren't that articulate) and some of the vignettes of multiculturalism seem self-conscious.
But these flaws are few and far between and there is a good-natured tone which would be cruel to dismiss; really, there is much to recommend in the quartet's 'living room' - Taudevin and Wright in particular have lovely warm voices, and the lyricism (which if you close your eyes, comes on like a fantastic radio play) is joyful. The observations on the chasm between Heritage visions of shortbread box Scotland and the bitter urban reality are natural and pithy.
The songs are passionate, gorgeous and fun in equal measure, full-throated, from the adapted traditional Gaelic song Griogal Cridhe to a cheeky take on Donald, Where's Yer Troosers (Donald, You're A Loser) and it all ties together nicely.
It makes me crave a little dram. Let's drink to better days ahead- and kinder politicians shaping Scotland's future...
RSS