TUTTI FRUTTI. To 2007
Glasgow
TUTTI FRUTTI
by John Byrne.
King’s Theatre 12 – 21 April 2007 then tour
Runs 2hr 50min One interval.
TICKETS: 0141 240 1111.
Review: Thelma Good 3 October 2006 at King's Theatre Edinburgh
An extra jaunty spin only live performance can bring.
Much loved and only once repeated, the TV series Tutti Frutti is a cultural icon of Scotland. So stakes were high when John Byrne, the original writer, and The National Theatre of Scotland decided to create this stage version (in a co-production with His Majesty’s Aberdeen, where the production opened in September).
Worry not, Tony Cownie has directed this every-one-a-winner cast so that all the scenes, big or micro, with their cherished comic lines, hit the ground not just running, but with an extra jaunty spin only live performance can bring. A Band, the Majestics, are about to embark on their Silver Jubilee tour when Big Jazzer dies. Luckily his brother Danny, flown in for the funeral, shares the deceased’s looks, and can sing and play the keyboard. Tom Urie as Danny looks as if he was made to replace Robbie Coltrane in the role that brought that big guy to fame. The excellent Urie sings like the best and Dawn Steele’s Suzy Kettles is full of spark and charisma.
Another different-from-the-norm couple, band manager and shop owner Eddie Clockerty and his assistant Miss Toner, are served up a treat by John Ramage and the marvellously and frequently re-costumed Julie Wilson Nimmo. While Tam Dean Burn as Vincent, the band member who has gone a groupie too far, even raises a tear as he mishandles his wife Noreen, played with well judged contrast by Pauline Knowles, and the groupie Helen Mallon’s Glenna, a poor little rich girl worryingly on her way to self damage.
There’s a lot of laughs and wit in this play/musical but there’s also a beating troubled heart in it. Byrne doesn’t fudge the pain of living and is strikingly even handed when it comes to doling out the angst between the sexes.
The music (all played by the company) underscores the emotional upheavals going on, while visually the costumes’ increasingly OTT style, especially for Janice, Suzie and Danny, stands out really well against Neil Murray’s monochrome graphic style set. The effect is like watching John Byrne’s drawings come to life. It’s a set that also works well with the 1960’s style black and white movies of the band.
Dennis : Kenneth Bryans.
Vincent : Tam Dean Burn.
Fud : Barrie Hunter.
Noreen : Pauline Knowles.
Glenna : Helen Mallon.
Bomba : John McGlynn.
Stuart : Alan McHugh.
Lachie : Gavin Mitchell.
Janice Toner : Julie Wilson Nimmo.
Eddie Clockerty : John Ramage.
Suzy Kettles : Dawn Steele.
Danny McGlone : Tom Urie.
Sheena Fisher : Clare Waugh.
Director: Tony Cownie.
Designer: Neil Murray.
Lighting: Jeanine Davies.
Sound Design: Matt McKenzie.
Musical Director: Neil McArthur.
Video Designer: John Alder.
Fight director: Carter Ferguson.
The script ofTutti-Frutti, incorporating drawings by John Byrne, is published by Faber
2006-10-08 01:50:29