The second production in the Rep’s A Play, A Peh and A Pint collaboration with Oran Mor cultural centre in Glasgow is a new work written by Dundee singer and songwriter Michael Marra.
Marra is the deadpan narrator in Saint Catherine’s Day, his distinctive voice ringing out in a theme song that starts and ends the short play, which is peppered with musical interludes.
The musician is joined on stage by Richard Conlon who plays the Daniel O’Donnell-esque Irish songster Columba Carnogan.
A sickeningly charming character in front of his adoring (and ageing) fans, Conlon succeeds in demonstrating the contrast between Carnogan’s saccharine performing persona, and the discontented man who has been sucked into a shallow music scene.
Conlon’s multi-talented co-star Ewan Donald not only sings and plays guitar alongside Marra, he is hilarious as the hunchbacked Sister at St Agnes of Prague Eventide Home, outspoken as Carnogan’s agent, provocative as catty radio host Agnes Brash and pure suave as balladeer Casey Collins, whose songs reportedly inspired a wheelchair-bound woman to walk.
Marra’s music creates an honest and homely atmosphere and is an excellent platform for the voices of Conlon and Donald. Audience participation is also encouraged.
An amusing and zippy trip through a nightmarish day in the life of a performer in crisis, while some of the more surreal scenes can lack direction, ultimately, the point is made that staying true to your art is the best gift you can give yourself and the world.Saint Catherine’s Day runs until Saturday, April 9. See www.dundeereptheatre.co.uk for more information.Photo Leslie Black Photography.