Art Guild enjoy sky high success with latest show
Airdrie Art Guild Drama Group soared to great heights as they wowed audiences at the Sir John Wilson Town Hall with their latest production – ’Paras Over the Barras, The Second Wave’.
The play by James Barclay, set in the East End of Glasgow near the famous Barras during the Second World War, provided a heartwarming, hilarious and nostalgic look back at the wit and spirit of city life during the dark days of the forties when the grit and humour of Glaswegians overcame adversities during war time shortages and
Review by David Black
rationing.
For the Mcsorleys and their neighbours in the East End tenements, their primary focus was making the best of what life had to offer as the New Year approached; extra booze was required and a wedding was in the offing.
Eddie Gouther captured the true essence of the unattached Wullie Mcsorley, delivering hilarious one liners – often at the expense of the amorous Ina Mclatchie, ably played by May Wakely.
Morag Donald provided a suitably calming influence in holding family and local friendships together as Annie while helping her daughter Rita, cheekily played by Wendy Gallacher, plan and prepare her wedding to the rather “off the wall” Rasputin Plunkett (Peter Paterson) and trying not to forget her husband Sammy (Grant Johnston), a prisoner of war in foreign lands.
Bill Mcloy was back in the saddle as the special constable adding to the comedy as Erchie Mcpherson with Patrick Rafferty in superb form as Hans the German paratrooper.
Great performances were also provided by Alistair Donald (Curdy Mcvey), Cat Gemmell (Mrs Cominsky), Bill Malone (Fingers Mcgeachie), Colin Archibald (Jimmy Smith), Patrick Rafferty (Father Mcgillicuddy) and Giovanna Tweedie (Plooky Boyle and Mrs O’toole), with Anne Greechan and Netta Logue bringing pin-point accuracy to gossiping neighbours.
This was a most entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable production which closed with the entire cast presenting a selection of well known Scottish songs, ably accompanied by Kenny Finnie on the accordion, mirroring what we once knew as a traditional Hogmanay party for family and friends.
The cast then received a wellearned standing ovation and sent everyone home with huge smiles on their faces.