Anna Burnside reviews the initial production of the current A Play, A Pie and A Pint season.
Lauren lives in the Springburn high flats. Based on conversations with her neighbours, she keeps a running list of reasons why she doesn’t want to have children.
On the way to a hen party, in full PVC bunny costume, the lift breaks down. Lauren, heavily pregnant refugee Aaliyah and Facebook-radicalised Pat have a long day’s journey into night to thrash out their divisions.
Writer Eimi Quinn, who also plays Lauren, has a great ear for language and gives herself most of the best lines. The scenarios, however, show less imagination.
Hen nights have become a lazy excuse for introducing Ann Summers slutwear, unspeakable inflatables (in this case, a blow-up man) and smutty parlour games. This leads the three women, desperate for anything to pass the time in the stationary lift, discussing their favourite position and the most unlikely place they have had sex.
Much fun is poked at post-menopausal Pat’s weak bladder and arid nether regions.
She may be leaky and lonely but she’s also a poorly informed racist and when the conversation goes beyond Tena Lady products it’s earnest and stodgy.
Isabelle Joss does a solid job as the bad boomer and Quinn is a sassy and likeable Lauren. Tinashe Warikandwa has the most work to do, defending her right to live in Scotland to one neighbour and motherhood to another.
The script contains no surprises, but director Maureen Carr wrings out maximum laughs and finds emotion and redemption despite the predictable character arcs.
When Quinn’s writing can move beyond these, she will be cooking with gas.
Ready Tae Drap performs at Oran Mor’s A Play, A Pie and A Pint until 5 September 2026. For further details go to their website.
Photo by Eoin Carey.
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