Milligan's Mausoleum

Firstly, it’s always an honour to be invited to review a new original piece of theatre and this was no exception. `Geoff Davidson’s hilarious musical comedy, recounts the unbelievable farce that ensued when the irascible John Milligan was engaged to build Burns’ Mausoleum in the St. Michael’s graveyard.  Based on facts from the book, “Burns Lore of Dumfries & Galloway” by James Mackay, the script and music was penned through Geoff’s inspired imagination.The shenanigans that accompanied the building of Burns’s mausoleum results in another masterpiece from Geoff to accompany his previous triumphs “MacConnachie’s Bus” and “Angel of The Tide”. The original music has a strong Scottish bent with the rhythmical use of reels, strathspeys and polkas which are very well interpreted in movement and dance by Amy McCreadie. A stand out comical performance by Roy Stairmand in the title role of John Milligan must be applauded. He shared many hilarious moments with his working colleague Davy Meechan, the equally comedic Dave Ford, who created a superbly timed ‘Laurel and  Hardy’ type sketch within the graveyard, as they endeavoured to erect the mausoleum gates. With a massively strong presence and singing ability the role of John Syme was expertly portrayed by Kenny McCall, though not always in control of his gossiping wife Mrs Syme (Cath Ractliffe). Another vocal force of many years experience, expressed humour with expression in equal measures as she dueted with the equally expressive Mrs Grierson (Ann Beaton) in ‘Noo I’m Never One Tae Gossip’. Two very talented stalwarts of the company. Two equally talented male stalwarts played William Grierson (Stewart Cameron) and James Thomson (Neil Webster), proving themselves very worthy of their characters. As a part of Syme’s committee they gave a fabulous rendition in trio of ‘Ye should Have Let Me Speak’. In a God fearing time and with the nature of the play, Rev. Henry Duncan (John Neil) was also thoughtfully cast and gave a strong performance. The role of Burns’s wife Jean, was beautifully captured by Lindsay Nurney, who brought a more somber note to the musical. Her duet with Jessie Lewars (Anne Walter), who's voice blended perfectly with hers, provided a memorable and lyrical, ‘Ayrshire Boy’. The character, Jessie, who in real life was a close friend of the family and nursed and sang to Robert Burns in his dying days,  gave a spell-binding rendition of a new melody to ‘O Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast’. Another electrifying performance was given by Andrew Twigg as Pietro Turnerelli, acting out the OTT Italian/Irish, artistic stonemason who is employed to create a facia for the mausoleum and who is very much a thorn in Milligan’s side. His dramatic  and superbly sung, ’God Help me! I cannot sleep!’ during his traumatic nightmare, included a ballet with dancing demons and ghouls (Amy McCreadie and Emma Thomas). The Vision of Burn’s mythical goddess, Coila (Janette Davidson), appears during the ensuing surrealistic drama to provide inspiration and encouragement to Turnerelli by banishing his demons. Her vocal rendition of ‘Desist ye Demons of the Night’ was truly outstanding. The Community Committee, intent on their object of providing a fitting resting place for Scotland’s Bard, engaged in many wonderful musical highlights throughout the musical. Their frustrations to conclude the works, despite the bumbling, drunken Milligan, also includes the exhumation and reburial of Burns which spirals towards a farcical conclusion. Needless to say a satisfactory outcome results in the peaceful strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Special mention to wardrobe, set design and lighting for their attention to detail. A very slick production of a unique new show. Many Congratulations!    

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