The Steamie

Everybody, but everybody, knows this very famous play set in the local Steamie, or wash-house, on Hogmanay and, no matter how many times you view it (and I have seen this many times), it continues to entertain So, to the show itself – we meet all the loveable well-known characters - the four hard-working 1950’s Glasgow women, plus one local male layabout, all getting on with their work and wanting to celebrate Hogmanay. And this all took place in a simple, but effective, stage set. My favourite character is Mrs Culfeathers and Jean Bain brought her to life superbly well in a performance which showed her long life’s burden, full of trials, her tiredness and, above all, her kindly spirit. In fact, everybody in the audience, felt sorry for her! Bossy and outspoken, Magrit, was the loud “mouthpiece” for the ladies and was strongly played by Ruth McKay and, oh boy, no one would want to be on the end of her barbed tongue! Her clever soliloquy where she described her married life in a 24-hour day came over extremely well. Then there was Vicki Bowman as Dolly, a kindly and helpful soul, who provided many laughs after feeling “clairty” whilst discussing the contents of dirty water - she then proceeded to have a wash in the steamie’s sink! Comical! And, last but not least, there was Carly Mackie as the youngest lady of the quartet, Doreen, daydreaming of owning a brand-new house in a posh area of Glasgow. The “telephone” sequence about this was hilarious. Carly was just perfect for this role. Must say all the women worked well together, had great local accents, and came over extremely well as a team. The show’s only male character is Andy – he’s the wash-house shirker! Enthusiastically played by Craig Nicoll, he had boundless energy throughout this role although, once his pre-Hogmanay drinks took its toll, he literally “fell away” inebriated! You could say this was a “spirited” performance! The comedy came fast and furious, culminating in the best, and funniest, story of all – Galloway’s mince! (Everybody knows this story, but we all still laugh at it!) This is the real “meaty” part of the show! To lighten all the goings-on, there was a musical element with all the “extras” Steamie women joining in, and this did boost the proceedings. There were cross-over “peenies”; hair piled up under headscarves, trampling blankets in your bare feet – and I well remember all this, because I am of the age to do so (even though I am just over 21!) Ah, TADAMS, great memories, great night!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.