HINGING’ OAN FIR GOOGSIE | BRAW VENUES @ GRAND LODGE, EDINBURGH
★ ★ ★ ★
“…has the makings of a modern Scottish classic”
Given up on Waiting For Godot? Never fear, you’ll have a blast at Hingin’ Oan Fir Googsie.
Running for four more nights only, John McColl’s new play at Braw Venues on George Street opened to much hearty laughter and rapturous applause from a largely local audience, an element of the warm reception no doubt down to the presence of Braveheart and River City legend Jimmy Chisholm, leading the cast as Ghillie.
It wasn’t just Chisholm’s deft and generous performance, playing up the warm, comic humanity of the character that carried the show however, but compelling turns from the rest of the cast and an absurdist, laugh out loud funny script that had the house in fits from the outset while still addressing the challenges of dementia with dignity.
While the production is not without flaws, for example, it could be argued it is too polite, the show’s slapstick moments and stage cues also could be tighter, but opening nights of debut works on the Fringe are seldom ideal for such things. What the production does have in spades is a sense of whimsical Scottish charm that makes you want to invest in this bungling crew of underdogs.
Writer McColl, who also plays Gadge, comfortably holds his own on stage with Chisholm, playing a convincingly frustrated foil to a confused and rambling Ghillie, while Amy Fraser’s Plucky, earned herself two rounds of applause simply by virtue of her delivery of McColl’s thought provoking asides about social issues that continue to blight Scotland. Completing the cast is celebrated Fringe veteran Alan Ireby as Potter, whose wonderfully gangly turn in an ill fitting suit, leads the audience down entirely unexpected avenues.
Even though the production’s framework may owe an almighty debt to Godot, that doesn’t prevent Hingin’ Oan Fir Googsie from having the makings of a modern Scottish classic. It’s very rare to see a Fringe audience sitting in silent contemplation of a show after the house lights go up, rather than making for the nearest exit. Don’t miss your chance to catch this wee gem.
Until 16 August, tickets here.
*Independently Reviewed for MustSeeTheatre.com by JR CRUICKS
*Full disclosure | Hingin’ Oan Fir Googsie is directed by Must See Theatre founder Liam Rudden
