Gary McNair’s Pricey Billy is billed as “a love letter to the Large Yin from the individuals of Scotland.”
Numerous “story gatherers” and “researchers” from the Nationwide Theatre of Scotland have travelled far and huge to gather tales about nationwide treasure Billy Connolly, to type the premise of McNair’s work. A piece that features tales each hilarious and deeply transferring, it celebrates the Large Yin and his that means to the Scottish public.
After touring Scotland, its ultimate cease is right here in Connolly’s dwelling city, Glasgow.
There are few Scots with no story to inform, a misremembered sketch to reenact or an opinion to present on Connolly, all offering wealthy supply materials for Pricey Billy.
The work is chronological and takes us from a disturbing childhood of “depravity, abandonment and beatings”, to working within the metropolis’s shipyards within the 60s, by means of his days as a musician with the Humblebums, to world superstardom. There are tales of unsung philanthropy and totally tear-jerking moments of non-public reference to the comedy legend. It’s performed out on designer Claire Halleran’s neon-lit, music venue set. Musicians Simon Liddell and Jill O’Sullivan present glorious musical accompaniment, taking Connolly’s folks roots as their inspiration. The tunes are complimentary, by no means intrusive, and enormously add to the power of the piece.
That is an absolute shining mild in a fairly miserable present theatre scene. An unique work, inventively researched, structured and staged and completely pitched to its viewers. McNair is an exceptional author and performer whose participating character is difficult to withstand, a mix on this work that’s irresistible. The power stage is excessive, the pacing completely suited to the supply materials. It’s a concise 90 minutes that packs extra punch than reveals twice its size. The love shines by means of from begin to end. Pricey Billy can’t be really useful extremely sufficient.
Runs till 25 June 2023 | Picture: Sally Jubb
