Anna Burnside reviews a production with an important subject matter.
A man is cutting about Kelvingrove Museum after hours. All is clearly not well. A window is broken. Also, he’s wearing a cape. A flammable costume number, lined with red. Flourishing it round his shoulders, he describes it as “Bela Lugosi for Primark”.
Our unnamed protagonist is at a late night film screening of Dracula, one of many septu- and octogenarians who have been regaining their youth thanks to blood transfused from young donors. He is not the only one who thinks it’s hilarious and has come in fancy dress.
Outside, a menacing generation sick of opportunity-blocking oldies is gathering to demand they make way.
It’s a strong premise for a one-hander, and writer John Maley makes the most of both the comedy potential and the bigger picture. The blood transferring procedure - it takes place live, in everywhere from sleek city centre clinics to back street garages - works on two levels.
It’s a metaphor for society’s obsession with youth and beauty but also a stand-in for the more general malaise of a society where young, and not so young, people feel edged out by their parents. Now that they are showing no signs of getting old, dying and passing on their detached houses, it’s reaching crisis point.
Stevie Raine does a strong job as Man, twirling his cape, delighted by his situationship with Lola (74) while also aware of the ethical, economical and practical problems of this course of action. Lesley Hart’s pacy direction handles the mood changes well.
Although the payoff could have been clearer and stronger, it was a brave choice of subject for the bus pass-toting PPP audience. Also, an important one.
Making Way performs at Oran Mor’s A Play, A Pie and A Pint until 14 November 2026. For further details, go to the company’s website.
Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
RSS