Mother of All the Peoples


The Courier and Advertiser - 15th June 2006

QUALITY IN STORY OF MARY SLESSOR
Review by Garry Fraser

IF ANY show deserved the hype it generated in it's two runs in 2004, it is Mike Gibb's Mother of All the Peoples, writes Garry Fraser.

Having missed these performances and keen to see if the plaudits then were merited, last night's performance in the Dundee Rep left me convinced that this is a work of great quality, beautifully constructed and wonderfully portrayed.

The story of Mary Slessor is one all Dundonians should be familiar with and this musical play is the perfect vehicle to bring over the humour and drama of her life. The cast of four were quite superb delivering Gibb's fine dialogue with style and clarity/parity.

As the Elder Mary, Lynne Binnie's performance was so convincing, she was Mary Slessor.

As the Young Adult Mary, Tricia Stewart was also outstanding. This is a young woman with enormous talent, a crystal clear voice and a class of acting that epitomised the whole evening.

Carolyn Wiseman and Eileen Air completed this super quartet. Carolyn's dual role of Susan Slessor and Janet Wright were excellent. I thought she was particularly good as Janet. Eileen adopted the role of mother with dignity and her snooty mission visitor was perfect.

The music played an equal part in its success. Co-written by Mairi Paton and Mike Gibb there is a lot to be commended. Lynne and Tricia had two showstoppers in My Hame and No Choice, while Carolyn's Calabar was brought over in fine fashion. Perhaps the most moving songs were left to Lynne - a superb Every Passing Moment - and Tricia Stewart's beautiful off-stage Nearer My God To Thee.

© D C Thomson & Co., Ltd 2006



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