The Emperor’s New Kilt

Published Friday 18 April 2008 at 13:10 by Thom Dibdin

Andy Cannon and Iain Johnstone have created a deliciously humane modern Scottish version of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairy story for their Wee Stories theatre company. And, with the financial assistance of the National Theatre of Scotland, have successfully transferred their intimate storytelling style of theatre up onto the big stage.

Using a play within a play format, with a family of three children holidaying on Scotland’s West Coast in the sixties telling each other the tale of the Island of Kiltie, the company creates an instant rapport with every age-level of their six and over audience. The result veers on the long side for the youngest, although strong musical elements help break up the story as it romps along with all sorts of delightful silliness added to the basic plot.

Cannon takes the lead in the storytelling but is equally at ease as Ramsay, the pet ram of young Rhona (Louise Montgomery), who comes over from the other side of Kiltie for the Laird (Johnstone)’s big birthday bash. At which his new kilt, created by wicked tricksters Mr Harris (Steward Cairns) and Mr Tweed (Alan Steele), is to be revealed. Along, of course, with everything else.

Becky Minto has created an extraordinary hand-sewn set, using the textures of fabric to create bold, patchwork backdrops. Of the strong central performances, Montgomery is particularly notable as the naive, honest Rhona and her singing voice adds a great deal. Only Cairns as a Stag fails to impress. He doesn’t stamp his own authority on the role, exposing Cannon and Johnstone’s only weakness - directing others as well as they do themselves.