Lottie

This play by the late Charles Barron, with music by Ashley Forbes, tells the story of Lottie McDonald an 11 year old inmate of the Inverurie and District Poorhouse in the late 19th century and her interactions with the other inmates, staff and the people of the surrounding area. The dialogue and most of the lyrics are in the native Doric – a challenge to the youngsters performing but one which they conquered completely. 13 year-old Ruby Harrison was outstanding as Lottie capturing both the innocence and cheeky confidence of the character perfectly. Catriona Edwards and Euan Banks as Mary and Richard Noble, the Matron and Governor of the Poorhouse respectively, gave very good performances showing a more sensitive side to the characters as they warm to Lottie and eventually adopt her. They contrasted well with the grotesques of the Cook (Findley Friel), Cook’s Assistant (Mikey Nicoll), Nurse Agatha (Daniel Brammer) and Doctor Wylie, who while portraying the worst kind of carers, added greatly to the comedy in the piece. As did Olivia Watt’s demanding Granny Cran as the matriarch of a family doing all they can to avoid the stigma of entering the poorhouse. In this she was ably assisted by Mother, Bella Cran (Eleanor Harper) and her daughters Poppy (Lola Brown), Alice (Neave Atwell), Isabel (Katie MacLean) and Hannah (Rowan Gane). Strong performances were given by Imogen Watt (Barbara McDonald, Lottie’s unmarried birth mother) and Aaron Bisset (John Hutton) as their romance blossomed. Another strong performance was given by Arwen Scott as the local midwife Mrs Faskin. Narration of the piece was in the excellent hands of tartan attired Josh Simpson as The Chairman of the board of governors and his coterie of four gossips Alex Kelman, Meg Stranger, Carys Taylor and Albany Hosie . The singing and dancing by all of the cast was excellent especially in the full company numbers when all 29 took to the stage. The set was simple but effective allowing for easy transition between locations. Costuming, by Liz Cork, was beautifully designed and executed and entirely appropriate to the period and characters. Well done everyone for another wonderful production

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