user log in
The content on this page is managed by the individual artist or production company and may not express the view of the Pleasance.

On The Island Of Aars | Reviews

REVIEWS

starstarstarstar

Metro - 11th August 2008

Those who remember The Translucent Frogs Of Quuup, Chris Larner and Mark Stevens's 2004 Fringe musical, will need no further incentive to see the duo's latest whimsical creation.

While wilfully obscure, Aars is also a clever parody of the musical format and of any story that celebrates the pastoral lifestyle.

The names of the characters set the tone; buxom Morag MacMacMacMac (Laura Main) is a simple country girl whose best friend is a chair called Thomas. She inhabits the remote island of Aars, where she's under the thumb of the older men who also live there, namely Hamish MacSurname and The Donald of Donald, both played by Michael Wilson. The arrival of a Dutch health and safety officer, Puupiline 'Flaps' Van Den Blouws (Barbara Drennan) sparks a romance which outrages the entire community.

Climaxing in a majestic Mull Of Kintyre-style musical number in which the various characters sing of their love for Aars, it's clear that Larner and Stevens have adopted a decidedly modern attitude to musical conventions.

With wild haggis roaming the hills, Aars is amusingly positioned as a kind of cod-Scottish attraction, with a genial disposition and a tuneful score to help it appeal to tourists and locals alike. It's a silly, sweet and inoffensive show that's likely to leave audiences with a strong desire to find their own inner Aars soul.

» see original review
starstarstarstar

British Theatre Guide - 10th August 2008
"great fun in a somewhat surreal way"

A Scottish island inhabited by three people - Morag McMacMcMacMcMacMcMac, the Donald of Donald (a strict Calvinist minister) and Hamish McSurname (a slightly liberal Calvinist minister). Hiding in a cave is Dave Bladgett (from the Midlands), ex-bass player of Tunsten Orkid, a heavy metal band.

Suddenly there arrives an EU official, Puupiline "Flaps" van den Blouws, a sexually rapacious lesbian Dutch Health and Safety officer with a very odd command of English.

The scene is set for a surreal musical comedy in which haggises fly, young girls are totally - impossibily - innocent, and slightly libery Calvinist ministers are not above using a bit of trickery to the get the girl.

It's great fun in a somewhat surreal way, well performed by a cast that includes author and lyricist Chris Larner, who is also director (and whom many will remember as Clingfilm in London's Burning). The cast have extensive credits on stage and TV and their performances on a delightfully tongue in cheek set are impeccable.

Hardly ground-breaking theatre but an entertaining and relaxing way to spend a mid-afternoon. (And yes, of course the island's name is a deliberate pun!)

Peter Lathan

» see original review
starstarstarstar

one4review.com - 6th August 2008
"Very clever, enjoyable and lots of fun."

Did you know that in the oldy Celtic ancienty Scottishy language the word aars means turtle? No? Neither did I till I visited the Island of Aars at Pleasance Above.
This particularly petite place is habited by some peculiar people whose pleasantly peaceful existence is about to be shattered by bureaucracy and a Health and Safety inspector. We meet the inhabitants who live their solitary lives with much singing and church going. Morag has only ever met men who always wear trousers and ladies only ever wear skirts, more than a little confusing when the female inspector is gay.
This four person one pianist musical play is very clever, enjoyable and lots of fun, the music is catchy and I would like a copy. This sort of gem makes Fringe viewing fun and should be prescribed as a tonic to cheer people up.
The cast are Barbara Drennan, Chris Larner, Laura Main, Michael Wilson and if I am correct pianist Mark Stevens.

» see original review

The content on this page is managed by the individual artist or production company and may not express the view of the Pleasance.

Graphic design by Paul Rawson. Site development by Simon Rawson.