Click here!

Para Handy--A Voyage Round the Stories of Neil Munro

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness and Open Book are proudly presenting Para Handy - A Voyage Round The Stories of Neil Munro, a major new stage version of Neil Munro's timeless Para Handy tales… Read more …

Weigh the anchor; check the engines and set sail for a rendezvous with the irrepressible Para Handy, captain of The Vital Spark, as he and his ramshackle crew's adventures are brought bang up to date in this this original 21st century production.

Catch up with Para Handy, his mate Dougie, engineer Macphail and cabin-boy Sunny Jim as they travel from a West Coast breakers' yard through the canals to the sea lochs of the Highlands and Islands. Brimming with wit and charm, this version of Neil Munro's stories bring back to life the lost world of the River Clyde in its hey-day; a time when its piers and harbours saw traffic of goods and supplies, day trippers 'going doon the watter' and the puffers bringing everything from coal to cows (and even the occasional cockatoo) to the people of the Highlands and Islands.

Playing the eponymous captain is Jimmy Chisholm - one of Scotland's most popular actors. You'll recognise him from the telly from High Road, Braveheart and Mrs Brown and from the theatre, he's been in Be Near Me and The Miracle Man (National Theatre of Scotland), The 39 Steps (London West End) and Macbeth and Trumpets and Raspberries (Lyceum, Edinburgh).

Para Handy is being written and directed by John Bett - recently seen on stage in the award-winning The Government Inspector and on the big screen in Tamara Drewe and The Golden Compass.
More information on this production is available at www.parahandytour.co.uk.

The critical consensus

The whole revels in language, and its hilarious misuse. The core company take what could be couthie stereotypes and give them real humanity. Great stuff all round.

Thom Dibdin, The Stage, 23/09/2011

When the whole thing picks up a bit of speed in the second half, there is much to enjoy. But if there was any interest in slimming down the two hours and forty minutes running time, you might start at the beginning.

Robert Dawson Scott, STV, 26/09/2011

It's utterly inessential, but performed with too much gusto to dislike.

***(*)(*)Mark Fisher, The Guardian, 26/09/2011

The result, once things calm down, is a series of fruitily Runyonesque encounters, with the fly likes of Jimmy Yuill’s Hurricane Jack, whose courtship of Helen Mackay’s Janice Toner-like Peaches McGlumpher is played with relish.

***(*)(*)Neil Cooper, The Herald, 26/09/2011

If it wasn’t for the performers’ energy and feelgood spirit, it’d be easy for the whole thing to fall apart.

Mark Fisher, Northings, 27/09/2011

The greatest richness of this show, though, lies in its acting company, who bring such a wealth of experience to the stage that it’s a joy to watch them, as they sing, act, and work their audience with limitless skill and charm.

****(*)Joyce McMillan, 29/09/2011

Although the cast were strong and entertaining, I could not help but think that less music, more comic dialogue and a stronger script could have made Para Handy: A Voyage Round the Stories of Neil Munro a more memorable show.

***(*)(*)Anne Hogg, WhatsOnStage.com, 06/10/2011

It all adds up to a thoroughly delightful feel-good romp that delivers gentle humour, some great songs, and will leave you still smiling for a long time after you exit the theatre.

****(*)Drew McAdam, The Scotsman, 14/10/2011

Sure to leave any audience in relentless laughter.

***(*)(*)Sophie Stephenson, The Journal, 19/10/2011

It would benefit from more judicious editing and a little more plot but fans of Para Handy from previous iterations will find much to like here, and as a piece of nostalgic escapism it certainly fulfils its remit.

***(*)(*)The List, 21/10/2011


Features about Para Handy--A Voyage Round the Stories of Neil Munro

Out to rekindle a spark in Scottish theatre

Brian Beacom, The Herald, 04/08/2011

New stage adaptation of Para Handy stories set for Scottish tour

Allan Radcliffe, The List, 16/09/2011

A Voyage Around a Highland Icon

Kenny Mathieson, Northings, 01/09/2011

Where and when?

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from Wednesday September 21, 2011, until Saturday September 24, 2011. More info: www.eden-court.co.uk

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen from Tuesday September 27, 2011, until Saturday October 1, 2011. More info: www.hmtaberdeen.com

Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Tuesday October 4, 2011, until Saturday October 8, 2011. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Thursday October 13, 2011, until Saturday October 15, 2011. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival

Comments: 0 (Add)

To post a comment, you need to sign in or register. Forgotten password? Click here.

Find a show


Search the site


Find us on …

Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterFind us on YouTube