Joy Watters reviews Dundee Rep's latest production of the ever popular Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie.
Let's raise a toast to Dundee Rep now restored to full health after a recent indisposition. The cure is Compton Mackenzie's wonderful wartime tale of Hebridean islanders who find themselves with a heaven-sent cargo of whisky after a ship runs aground on their doorstep during the drink drought. Not all the island dwellers are for liberating the dram with the Customs men and the Home Guard trying to call time on self-service.
This stage version has been adapted by Paul Godfrey into a 1940s live BBC Home Service broadcast. The performers wear evening dress as in the good old days of wireless, and we, the audience become the studio audience for the live Armchair Theatre, prompted by a fistful of cue cards.
Directed by Irene Macdougall, with a cast of four, this is ensemble playing at its best as the actors take on a host of roles of all ages and flawlessly execute them. Their primary role is as performers and technician of yesteryear and from the moment they make their entrance, each is perfectly into character. Ensemble stalwarts John Buick and Emily Winter are joined by recent graduate Martin McBride as the actors, with Kevin Lennon reprising the role of studio manager with a lexicon of sound effects at his fingertips. John Buick is in fine form in all his roles from gentleman actor, oh so charming with just the right posture, to wily islanders and authority figures. It falls upon the one female member of the cast not only to play all the women, but a child and a naughty dog. Emily Winter is splendid as the actress, so gracious with her cut glass English accent, masking a little secret or two. Newcomer Martin McBride is assured and up to the challenge of breathing life into a vast range of the island's menfolk.
It is a thoroughly engaging piece of theatre which is now visiting community centres across the city after a brief stay at the Rep. Just the thing now there's a nip in the air.
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