|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
“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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“Stories Ma Grunny Telt Ma” 19-21 April, 2007 Director: Rhona Mitchell This year’s MSD offering at the Garioch Theatre Festival drew its inspiration from an accompanying photographic exhibition of images relating to stories from the North-East. With some of the sketches written by the Company themselves and others from the pen of local writer Charles Barron, the cut-out woodland set revealed the usual rich pastiche of character study that is a trademark of MSD, with a nice touch of humour throughout. (With lots of “Wahooing” from the ghosts, the response to “How are You”? was inevitably “Deed!” well, what else could a ghost say?) Simon Michie, Stephen Innes and Olivia Watt were particularly worthy of mention in the three Ghost Party stories and Aiky Fair with a well sung acapela version of Mill o’Tiffy’s Annie from Alison Telfer, Pamela Barrie and Anouk Chalmers. The real jewel in this particular production however was the splendid musical story of Mary Eeerie Orie Elphinstone;- a tale of blood and passion in Inverurie! The harridan Mary, played by a particularly severe and frightening Ruth Ledingham was a beautiful contrast to her effete and wimpish Minister husband (Callum Bell);- not forgetting the many faces of Olivia Watt as the young Mary. Musically this was a real treat from Ashley Forbes, beautifully taking the mickey out of a whole range of musicals and ending up with something that Victoria Wood would have been proud of. A splendid evening’s entertainment. Geoff Greavey NODA Scotland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BEEF SOUP 25-27 April 2007 Director: Ewan Cameron My second visit to the Garioch Theatre Festival for MSD’s second production in the unusual setting of the local British Legion in Inverurie. Partially devised by the cast themselves and scripted by Director Ewan Cameron, the programme stated - Expect nothing, anything, definitely not “proper theatre!” and that was certainly true for this piece of theatre in the round. The venue limited the audience to just over thirty and made use of at least four different locations within the Legion Building for a very surreal story with characters a cross between Royston Vasey and Emmerdale! (I particularly liked the background Stairway to Heaven as the audience trudged its way up to the top floor in a confused crocodile!) Strange characters abounded in this unusual offering with the young actors all over the top in their chosen characters-all peculiarly believable! Was this the story of a power struggle between the local inhabitants and the evil machinations of a global company trying to set up a megastore or was it “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, -signifying nothing? Discuss!! Geoff Greavey NODA Scotland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Smith Inverurie Advertiser Turriff Advertiser |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MITCHELL SCHOOL OF DRAMA "SHAKESPEARE WITH A DIFFERENCE" 20-22 April 2006 Directors; Rhona Mitchell/Ewan Cameron M.D: Ashley Forbes Choreographer; Pam Taylor The second Garioch Theatre Festival brought two very different and well-chosen pieces of “Abridged” Theatre to the Wyness Hall, which once again excellently illustrated the splendid performance skills of this talented bunch of youngsters. In “Twelfth Night”, the characters came tumbling out in this comedy of errors, punctuated with short and appropriate musical extracts-very much in the mode of “Loves Labours Lost”-and what a joy it was. Shakespeare was never like this when I was at school! The clever musical links instantly set the scene for the next character or device, with much heaving of sighs for a performance in which “Anything Goes”. A scheming trio of Maria (Olivia Watt), Sir Toby Belch (Ruth Ledingham) and wonderful facial expressions from Sir Andrew Aguecheek (Claire Gauld) input more than their fair share of humour. As the song said, they had it just right “All the Way” for this first offering, and although all portrayals were excellent, my abiding memory for this production was a kilted lovelorn Malvolio (Stephen Innes) still trying to bravely smile, exiting, completely unnoticed, armed with a suitcase! The second play, “Hamlet”, was given a much more modern interpretation with, I suspect, the characters being given a little more leeway with their persona. For those not fully au fait with Shakespeare, we were provided with a “Shakespeare enthusiast”(Emma Jack) and “bored theatregoer”(Lucy Weir) who “interpreted” some of the more problematical aspects of the Bard. “There’s been a murrdur” seemed to sum it up nicely! Again strong performances from all, with Alison Telfer a splendid Viola, with Cara Fraser(Sebastian) suitably “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”. I must also mention a very powerful Hamlet from a Matrix-like Louise Dalgarno and an extremely camp King Claudius from Callum Bell, with a death scene to end all death scenes. A multi-purpose set and splendid costumes from Liz Cork made this yet another memorable evening from MSD. Ge off Greavey NODA Scotland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MSD PRODUCTIONS “THE STEAMIE” 22-23 APRIL 2005 Director: Graham Bett |
|
When I learned that the setting for MSD’s production of “The Steamie” was to be in the relatively small Wyness hall in Inverurie, I must admit I had my doubts as to the venue, but the choice proved to be perfect and provided a wonderfully intimate atmosphere for Tony Roper’s clever dialogue in this piece of theatre in the round. This was a great study in characterisation which held the audience spellbound throughout. Pathos was there a-plenty with the reminiscences of Glasgow Green(yes, we were living it) and The sight of Liz Loggie as an underplayed Mrs Culfeathers getting slowly in and out of the washtub was a real piece of theatre that was a joy to behold. As indeed was the hilarious telephone conversation that was almost like eavesdropping, so well was it done. I’m only grateful that I wasn’t in the front row though whilst the washing was being shaken! It was a privilege to attend this excellent production. Geoff Greavey |
|
"THE INVERGROOVIE GAME" 29 -30 April 2005 Directors; Ewan Cameron/Rhona Mitchell Choreographer; Pam Taylor This second offering from MSD (but a week later!) as their contribution to the Garioch Theatre Festival 2005 explored new ground, as it was the first piece of work totally devised by the company themselves. Based loosely around their home base of Inverurie (Invergroovie-get it?) it proved to be a surreal experience, with shades of Greek drama and "Alice". I was pleasantly surprised to find that although twelve of the twenty or so on stage were first timers, you would never have known. Everyone kept totally in character throughout and exuded confidence in a very tricky show. Although all were good, special mention must be made of Stefanie Ritch as a very mature (and dominating!) Lady Luck, with John Scott making his on stage debut as a really wacky “Treasure”. I also enjoyed a real together performance from Alannah Cruickshank and Louise Dalgarno as Gemini, the Twins. T he whole company also got it together with some precise and challenging choreography and what was more important, looked like they were enjoying themselves-chicken and all! Geoff Greavey | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
