On the floor you’ll be laborious pressed to seek out any similarities between a younger Glaswegian actor and the lady who wrote the nation music traditional Ring of Fire. But between these two complicated girls: each moms, each phenomenally gifted, each not with out their hardships, there are numerous parallels to be drawn.
Glasgow actor Charlene Boyd was out of labor, a newly divorced mom of two dwelling in a carpet-less excessive rise flat, working a number of jobs: in a care residence, child-minding and singing as June Carter Cash in a tribute band, oh and to high all of it, it’s throughout COVID when she discovered a signed copy of the autobiography of Carter Cash in a charity store.
Boyd discovers the unbelievable story of a lady whose star in her heyday eclipsed that of her world celebrity of a 3rd husband Johnny Cash. The Carters have been nation music royalty and their fame unfold from stage to display to common acclaim of their area. Juney a favorite with the American TV viewers.
Boyd is fired up by the thought of discovering out extra about this unbelievable lady and emails everybody she will consider to speak about Carter Cash. With too many no replies and brush offs to depend, finally Boyd packs her baggage and travels to the Appalachian Mountains on a ten day mission to seek out the reality. That Carter Cash survived the backlash of a divorce within the 50s from her dishonest husband and needed to stick on a smile and carry out at The Grand Ole Opry with him when the world new what had occurred, is testomony to her character.
Carter Cash’s power and resilience is mirrored in Boyd’s need to forge her personal path, to refuse to attend till the work involves her. Having by no means written earlier than, undeterred she forges on. Eventually, and heart-warmingly it’s these closest to Carter Cash: her daughter Carlene and son John Carter Cash who’re probably the most open-armed. Carlene telling Boyd that solely she may write about why her mom means a lot to the actor.
This just isn’t a biographical piece about Carter Cash, Boyd talks about her personal circumstances, the event of the piece, and finds widespread floor between the pair, how lady are nonetheless oppressed by sexism and misogyny, how their tales are silenced by the louder ones of males. It is stuffed with fantastic fireplace and fury.
Of observe is the staging. Shona Reppe’s set sprawls the whole thing of the Dissection Room at Summerhall. There’s the wonderful three piece band comprising Harry Ward, Ray Aggs and Amy Duncan on an Opry-like stage. The well-known circle minimize from the Ryman auditorium is replicated right here, tables adorned with memorabilia are scattered all through impressed by the legendary Bluebird Cafe. There are fairy lights strewn round. The expansive set portrays June’s Clinch Mountain residence, Glasgow excessive rise, Nashville nation golf equipment amongst many others.
Boyd covers the whole thing of the auditorium and the viewers all through the present, she is a magnetic performer, actually multi-talented, she has the viewers within the palm of her hand. This is an totally charming piece of theatre, daring, authentic and creative. Boyd’s is a voice I can’t personally wait to listen to extra from. This is an unmissable piece of theatre.
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Runs till 24 August 2024 then touring | Images: National Theatre of Scotland
On a facet observe, it could seem that all the run at Summerhall is bought out and plenty of, if not many of the dates on the tour are additionally bought out or restricted. Hopefully the National Theatre of Scotland will look to increase the tour.
