Ne’er The Twain
★★★★☆ Couthie comedy
Mayfield Salisbury Church (Venue 11): Fri 2 – Sat 17 Aug 2024
Review by Hugh Simpson
Edinburgh People’s Theatre have been doing the Fringe since it first started, and this is not the first time they have put on Alan Cochrane’s Ne’er the Twain. However, both play and company come over as commendably fresh and very funny.
The possibility of Leith being amalgamated with Edinburgh in 1919 is not one that proud Leithers the McIvors relish – even if their tenement flat is already partly in Edinburgh, with the lavvy and half the lobby in the bigger city, whose less impressive trams are compensated for by longer licensing hours. Any falling-out over the cities’ shotgun wedding between the McIvors and their friends, the snootier Edinburgh residents Mr and Mrs Burns, will have an impact on the proposed marriage of the couples’ respective children.
Des Linton, Lynn Cameron, Ronnie Millar, Aric Hanscomb-Ryrie, Mandy Black. Pic Graham Bell
Cochrane’s play (whose sequel Hatches, Matches and Dispatches has also been a regular for EPT) is a carefully constructed comedy, guaranteed to appeal to Edinburgh residents but easily accessible to all in its deft plotting and deceptively deep characterisation.
There are plenty of comic set pieces, which director Anne Mackenzie does full justice. There is also a rhythm and momentum in between these moments that means that the time fairly flies by.
easy rapport
It isn’t just that some of the cast have played these parts before that makes much of the situation seem so natural. Mandy Black (Jean McIvor) and Ronnie Millar (Bob McIvor) have an easy rapport, with her flashes of frustration and his hangdog truculence being beautifully portrayed. Both also have a commendable grasp of the timing of the comedy.
Meg and Hugh Burns (played by Lynn Cameron and Des Linton) are altogether more strait-laced, as befits those who shop at St Cuthbert’s in Bread Street rather than at the Leith Provident. Once again, these are finely judged performances.
Carter Nisbet, Ellie Duncan, Mandy Black, Lyzzie Dell, Ronnie Millar. Pic: Graham Bell
Ellie Duncan is the McIvors’ daughter Carol, with Aric Hanscomb-Ryrie as Robin Burns. As is usual in these situations, the youngsters are much more sensible and mature than their elders. Accordingly, they have less humorous potential, but are played with a commendable believability that means they slot straight into the ensemble.
It is entirely credible that these people are well-established family and friends – even the more obviously comic characters such as lodger Wullie (Carter Nisbet) and Bob’s sister Nellie (Lyzzie Dell). Nisbet’s sneaky self-confidence is undented even when forced to impersonate a member of the Newhaven Fisherwomen’s choir, in the production’s comedy highlight.
finely tuned
This sequence also features some magnificent drunk acting by Dell, who is quite superb throughout as the lovable if devious Auntie Nellie. Gordon Braidwood’s spluttering assistant minister Mr Murchison also has a finely tuned comic sense.
Des Linton, Ronnie Millar, Gordon Braidwood. Pic: Graham Bell
One of the many praiseworthy things about the play is how it makes such good use of a single location. The set here (designed by Black and Robert Fuller) is of similarly robust construction, featuring a variety of beautifully chosen props and able to withstand the angriest slam of a door.
Fun and entertainment – as well as an interval cuppa – are guaranteed.
Running time: Two hours and 10 minutes (including an interval and a pause)
Mayfield Salisbury Church, 18 W Mayfield, EH9 1TQ (Venue 11)
Friday 2 – Saturday 17 August 2024
Daily (not Suns): 7.30 pm
Details and tickets: Book here.
EPT Website: www.ept.org.uk
Facebook: @EdinburghPeoplesTheatre
Instagram: @epeoplestheatre
X: @EPeoplesTheatre
Des Linton, Carter Nisbet, Ronnie Millar, Mandy Black, Aric Hanscomb-Ryrie, Ellie Duncan. Pic: Graham Bell
ENDS
Having played the part of Wullie the last time (some 12+ years ago) I was delighted to see how well this production is going. Loved every minute (even remembered some of the lines!) Congratulations EPT.
Glad to hear it Iain!
Here’s the review of the 2012 production if anyone is interested…
https://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/review-neer-the-twain/
Like Iain Fraser, I’ve been in this play before and I’m thoroughly enjoying seeing this production. In fact, I’m going back for the third time tomorrow.