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Whisky Galore

Whisky Galore

A new, Gaelic adaptation of the novel Whisky Galore by Compton MacKenzie.

Presented by the National Theatre of Scotland, Robhanis and A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór.

World War II and the islands of Great Todday and Little Todday are suffering from a distinct lack of whisky, which means that Sergeant Odd cannot marry his sweetheart. For as everyone knows, a rèiteach (wedding party) cannot happen without a dram. 

The only person happy with the situation is Captain Waggett, ever on the look-out for any loose talk on the islands.

Things change dramatically when a ship runs aground with 50 thousand cases of whisky on board and the islanders decide to claim this bounty.

Captain Waggett vows to put an end these shenanigans and a hilarious race against time ensues. Can the islanders hide the whisky? Can Sergeant Odd get married? Will anyone on Todday ever be sober again? 

This delightful new version of the much-loved, whimsical comedy (made famous by the 1949 Ealing film) features a host of colourful characters and, naturally, whisky galore. Read more …

Please note Whisky Galore will be performed almost entirely in Gaelic, with English surtitles.


The critical consensus

Although – at under an hour – the play carries its intelligence lightly, the jumps between Gaelic and English are well managed, and Guy Hollands’ direction is swift and precise.

***(*)(*)Gareth K Vile, The List, 14/04/2015

Director Guy Hollands’s production, which enjoys fine recorded music by Alasdair Macrae, loses pace, and comic impact, as it changes gear between the 1940s and the present day.

Mark Brown, Scottish Stage, 15/04/2015

Holland's gorgeous five-strong cast...can do little more than give us a brief introduction to this most complex and witty of tales; which is fine, but leaves us with a sense that, in this pub at least, we’ve been very slightly short-changed.

***(*)(*)Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 18/04/2015

Iain Finlay Macleod’s Gaelic updating of Compton Mackenzie’s classic is funny but loses something on the way.

***(*)(*)Clare Brennan, The Observer, 19/04/2015


Features about Whisky Galore

Comment: Whisky Galore highlights Gaelic culture

Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 13/04/2015

Whisky Galore revival creator's nerves over show

Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 13/04/2015

Where and when?

On Tour, from Friday April 10, 2015, until Friday May 15, 2015.

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