Hatches, Matches and Dispatches


The Evening Telegraph - 23rd May 2005

MIX-UP AT THE PEARLY GATES WREAKS HAVOC
Review by Jan Souter

A guid Scots Comedy never fails to go down well with local theatregoers and this latest production from Dundee Dramatic Society is no exception, writes Jan Souter.

Set in 1924, Bob, (newcomer John C Rodger) and Jean (Dorothy Devine) arrive back at their tenement flat in Edinburgh, fraught after a 'budget' family funeral, organised by roguish lodger Wullie Lomax (Ward McGaughrin).

Unknown to them, there has been a mix-up at the pearly gates and a situation 'materialises' which wreaks havoc at the ensuing wake.

At the centre of the stushiw is Bob's sister Nellie, a promising debut performance from Helen Burns, while Kathleen Mochan is convincingly neurotic as their sister (greetin') Teenie McGeechie.

Tricia Stewart is an expressive Carol, the McIvors' headstrong daughter, set to marry Robin Burns (Jonathan Gall), much to the Chagrin of his snobbish parent, Hughie (Calum Greig) and the delightfully haughty Meg (Joyce Lindsay) - ultimately knocked of her perch by tipsy matriarch, Mrs Bell, played with aplomb in a star performance by veteran Alma Donald.

Directed by Harry Devine, the play continues nightly at 7.30 with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30.

© D C Thomson & Co., Ltd 2005



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