Lorna Irvine thinks A Play, a Pie and a Pint's latest is 'a fine wee dram for a cold November day'.
There is a tidal wave of admiration in the packed-out room today - as well there should be, given Astonishing Archie is written by and starring one of Scotland's best-loved actors: the wonderful Bill Patterson.
He plays Allan Purgavey, sardonic rock 'n' rolling brother of Ronnie (Kenny Ireland). However, it is Ronnie that is clearly the bigger character- a bumbling, endearingly befuddled man, the very definition of the word ''galoot''. Ireland's performance is hilarious, even the way he enters the room is an exercise in great comic timing.
Both men come together to celebrate the life of their late friend, the Archie of the title (touchingly voiced in flashback by Alex Norton) cruelly taken by Alzheimer's, but they can't even agree on the music for his funeral: Ronnie insists on Frank Sinatra, with whom he is obsessed; Allan is strictly Elvis.
Cue a knockabout play about life, the inconvenience of death and musical differences, with Sharon Small giving fantastic support as the feisty minister Reverend Margot Turnball, caught in the middle of the squabbling siblings.
Astonishing Archie is not earth-shattering, nor even hugely original in scope, but full of warmth and good humour- just the right side of cheesy. A fine wee dram for a cold November day.
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