Trying to figure out WTF is going on Last Friday (11 April) my wife and I went to see Alan Bissett present the Moira Trilogy at Gardyne Theatre, Dundee. As I write, it is Sunday and the strain on my facial muscles from unaccustomed laughter is only now beginning to ease. It is not unusual to her the expression 'never laughed so much in my life'. Well, if I have ever laughed more than I did on Friday night, I don't recall the occasion. I'm unlikely to forget Alan Bisset's performance. To deploy another cliché, this one-man show is a three hour tour de force. Please don't be put off by the fact that the show runs to three hours. Trust me! It will not feel overlong. You will want more. In the interests of transparency, I should state that I know Alan slightly having met and spoken with him on a number of occasions during the 2014 referendum campaign, to which he often contributed his extraordinary talents. I had previously seen only excerpts from the Moira Monologues performed at Yes events. I knew it was good. I just didn't appreciate what a joyous entertainment it is. Especially when you get the see all three performed together. Alan Bisset's characterisations are pixel perfect. In particular, the central character, Moira Bell fae Falkirk. She is a synthesis of people we have all known in our lives. Be warned! No expletives are deleted. Moira is presented in all her poetically profane and melodically raucous glory. As played by Alan Bisset, you get all the rawness of her wisdom punctuated by moments of surprising and thereby very affecting tenderness. The person Alan is when he is Moira Bell is a complete person. This is no two-dimensional caricature. There is depth to the character. Depths both revealed and hinted at. The performance is minimalist in terms of make-up (non-existent, as far as I could tell), costume (mainly the stiletto-heeled boots), and props (a tartan scarf which at one point Alan turns into a baby). Most of the work of creating the characters is done using facial expressions, voice, and posture. Incidental characters are magicked into instant existence by subtle changes which somehow add up to a transformation that is apparently effortless and utterly believable. When Moira is in conversation with another of Alan's characters, both are present on the stage. Most of all, the performance is funny. At times, hilariously funny. At times wryly amusing. There's even a bit of satire in there. At times nostalgic in a way that raises a smile. Hence the aching face. Three hours of being gloriously entertained takes a toll. At the time of writing, only two more performances of the Moira Trilogy are planned. 26th April – Kirkcaldy, Adam Smith Theatre. Tickets available here. 24th May – Crieff, Strathearn Arts. Tickets available here. Treat yourself! This show is a gem! Alan Bisset's performance is a revelation! You're currently a free subscriber to Peter A Bell. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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Sunday, 13 April 2025
A joyous entertainment!
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