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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
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When I heard there was a show about Billy Connolly coming I was keen to see it. Especially as it is by the National Theatre of Scotland and they have never disappointed with previous productions. Their Black Watch has stayed with me for years, they produce such unique and emotional shows.
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I was rather intrigued what the show would involve as the publicity said that it was stories about Billy Connolly from the people of Scotland. Their researchers have been all over Scotland to get material for the show and spoken to many different people – even some who do not like The Big Yin! Shock! Horror! I love hearing people’s stories and presumed it would just be a man retelling the stories. Given that was a National Theatre of Scotland production I should have realised that it would be much more.
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When the curtain rose there was a set with musical instruments in the corner, a neon light banana boot which turned out to be a seat, and lights in the shape of Billy’s glasses hung above the stage. There is actually a cast of three, although Simon Liddell and Jill O’Sullivan are musicians rather than actors. The show lasts for 90 minutes and it is recollections of Billy from various people through the years, from the ship building yards where he worked as a youngster and gathered his material, to those whom met him once he was the national treasure that he has become known as.
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Gary McNair wrote and performs the show, bringing the people’s stories to life brilliantly. He moves between 5 different microphones and does the voices and mannerisms of the people he is quoting. The lighting changes and follows him, depending the kind of story that character is giving. Gary does start the evening by explaining that he is not Billy Connolly and we could leave then if that disappointed us, but as he pointed out the advertising made it clear it was not the Big Yin himself performing, and we did only get snippets of his material. We did get to sing along to one of his well known songs as well which was fun. Lots of people have connections with Billy and its lovely to hear the ways one man has touched people’s lives – from making them pee themselves laughing to support their charity fundraising and helping them support those in need.
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I was there with my parents who are Billy Connolly fans – after the show we were reminiscing about the album they had which I tried out when I got a record player as a teenager and was shocked to discover my parents owned something that involved a lot of swearing! They now have another connection to tell of as I tweeted a photo of them with the cardboard cut out of Billy by the box office and Aberdeen Performing Arts retweeted it – poor Mum was mortified! She loved the show though, proclaiming it “absolutely brilliant”. Unfortunately my Dad had some issues hearing some of the stories, but luckily I had bought them a memento of the Dear Billy book which has the entire script so he can catch up the bits he missed.
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If you are at all a Billy Connolly fan and you are interested in his life rather than just his infamous Banana Boots, you really should make sure you see this show – and maybe add to the collection of stories with your own thoughts!
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Further information: https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/dear-billy
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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