Stream: Tennis Elbow by John Byrne
In collaboration: Pitlochry Festival Theatre, the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh and Naked Productions
Not knowing what to expect and confessing that I am not particularly familiar with John Byrne’s work, being an incomer to the Scottish scene, this production was a revelation. This collaboration has taken the audio experience to another level. Using technology Naked have created an experience which seeks to replicate the theatre goers’ pleasures. A welcoming foyer, a chance to chat to new people and the actors in a convivial atmosphere. I presumed I would steer away from all this and concentrate on the new work and the performance. Much to my surprise I had a blast. Having logged in and taking my photo ID (I made sure I put on a smiley face) and wandered into various rooms, surprised friendly faces popped up everywhere. Not just old folk like myself, but young fresh faces eager to chat. In a million to one experience up popped a member of the cast Ann who plays Mrs…… ‘Where are you?’ I asked.’ Essex, Southend on Sea!’ ‘Wow’ I replied ‘that is my hometown – an Essex girl retired to the highlands’. ‘What are you doing in Southend aside from acting virtually in this production?’ ‘Having just finished at the RSC I am teaching drama at my old school St Bernards Convent High School’ ‘Amazing’ I replied,’ that is my old school too and where I learned to love literature and drama’. A 50-year time gap but still on the same wavelength. Would this have happened in the real world? Or would we have avoided each other. Me, as an old theatre goer and her as a trendy young thing. What a chance encounter in this digital world and how uplifting!Strangely it was a link to the play which I was about to enjoy. The catholic education and relationships forged by girls at that time underpin a series of unfortunate events in John Byrne’s new work. The distaff side of ‘Writer Cramp’ it explores the life of Pamela Crichton Capers, the estranged wife of Francis Seneca McDade, the protagonist of Byrne’s earlier comedy of 1977. This comic homage tells of the life of aspiring but talentless writer Pamela from her early days at Convent High school to a lesser-known Oxford college, nurse during the second world war, a stretch in Holloway prison leading to an unfortunate end. Told through an amusing series of sketches, with multiple characters, it is punctuated with cringe-making examples of her awful pretentious prose and her hilarious instructions on postage and packing. Full of literary delight, wit and love of language the stock characters become easy to imagine for the listener. You certainly get plenty of chuckles for your money as the piece runs for 86 minutes with a twenty-minute interval giving you a chance to mix with the audience virtually and discuss the play.
The second half is slightly confusing, and I suspect audiences in a real theatre would become restless but with an audio you always have the opportunity to switch off. The sound recording was spot on, so I did not! I then fortunately stayed for the post show Q&A. This was a delight, as the playwright rolled his fag and coughed his way through the questions. Brilliant. Elizabeth Newman had assembled a strong cast. Looking at the cast list online and without the advantage of a paper programme it was difficult to put a face to a character. Newman has so much enthusiasm and skill in directing and casting that all performances were strong and spot on.
Kirstie Stuart (last heard in ‚Adventures with the Painted People‘) as Pam brought a warmth to the hapless lady writer and Maureen Beattie’s narrator as Mother Scholastica held a firm hand over the whole piece. A special mention for Anne Odeke as Trusty bringing a true Essex vibe to the Scottish literary world.
So, as I left the theatre around 10 pm, and stepped out into the cold winter evening by the Tay, did I have an enjoyable evening encountering new friends, having a nice drink in the bar, and sitting comfortably in the stalls of the Festival Theatre enjoying a new play. Was it a delight to see talented actors doing what they are born to do? Was it the shared experience that we all crave? Well, I was almost tricked into that feeling. No, I am sitting in my loft by the River Spey in the Highlands, in my dressing gown without the long drive north to the Cairngorms.
With the emphasis on sustainable travel, an ageing traditional theatregoing audience perhaps this is new theatre running alongside the old. I got to meet new people, I brought my own drink (sorry bar) and gained an insight into the writer, director, and the cast. I also enjoyed a new work by Scotland’s acclaimed writer and artist. Well done Pitlochry for the experience and hope it continues.
Available until 8th of May 2021 on the Pitlochry Festival Theatre website.
