“LOTTIE”                              26-29 June, 2008

               Director / Choreographer; Rhona Mitchell                          M.D.: Ashley Forbes

Staged as part of the annual Garioch Festival, this was another premiere with the script written by local author Charles Barron in conjunction with input from Company members who had researched all of their own characters with an accompanying exhibition.

The storyline followed the life of Lottie, born in a Northeast poorhouse, and explored the lives of people with whom she had come into contact. With superb direction from Rhona Mitchell, everything about this production was just right, from the splendid costumes, excellent make-up and the clever map of the Garioch which provided the set.

This was shades of Les Mis meets Lewis Grassic Gibbon with music that was sometimes traditional Scottish, sometimes jazz, yet always appropriate and provided by a “funky” 4 piece combo.

Very much an ensemble piece, the Company performed with some wonderful facial expressions and a discipline both on-stage and off stage in the open wings that would shame many an adult company;-watching MSD perform should be made compulsory!

It would be almost unfair to single out any individual performances but special mention must be made of;-Ruth Ledingham as the frightening and perpetually scowling Granny Cran, lauding it above everyone as she arrived on her handcart.

Stephen Innes as the Chairman, in a multi-coloured suit giving an oily EmCee type performance.

The bitchy and bullying “Gossips” and last but not least, Rosalind Watt giving a lively, streetwise performance in the title role as a sort of Doric Artful Dodger; -  a remarkable show from a remarkable Company.

Geoff Greavey

NODA Scotland