Lorna Irvine reviews a 'funny, sweet and touching' play at Oran Mor.
This new PPP season opener, a two hander written by emerging writer Stewart Thomson, is like a big comfy favourite jumper: nice to wrap yourself in.
Neil is one of life's losers. As he sits down on his birthday to celebrate with his one true friend, a budgie named Frank left to him by his father, he is somewhat at a disadvantage when he learns Frank is now, to paraphrase Monty Python, 'an ex-budgie'. As his older brother Kev joins him in the kitchen, it transpires said pet was nearly the winner of a budgie longevity award in his bird fancier's magazine. Worse yet, Neil has met a lady over the internet through a budgie appreciation forum. How can he pull, without his feathered friend in tow? And what's the best way to bury the bird? Tupperware, or loo flush?
Iain Robertson's hangdog expression is put to good use here as the hapless Neil in a fetching yellow budgie tank top, with Steven MacNicoll an entertainingly lecherous foil in the role of Kev, as family secrets spill out in the kitchen, with both birdie and air turning blue.
The metaphor of flying free from life's trials and tribulations may not be a subtle one, yet it is never 'overegged' (sorry). Sure, it may all be a little slight, but it is infused with nice observations on masculinity and family, warmth and pathos in both men's performances and featuring dialogue so rich and authentic, that it is a joy to watch. Funny, sweet and touching.
At Oran Mor until February 1, 2014.
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