This probably invites correction, but it is curious that nobody before
has thought of adapting the fiction of John Galt (1779-1839) for stage.
Despite efforts over the last 20 years to revive his literary reputation
he remains unfashionable, yet it has taken Fifth Estate to perceive that
the theatre might prove the most effective medium through which to
re-present him.
Allan Sharpe's version gives more shape and structure to Galt's series
of pithy anecdotes than might have seemed possible, but more interesting
is the distinct flavour of Moliere that surfaces in this satire about a
decrepit and penurious laird (played with rubber-faced bravura by Jim
Byars) who, in his dubious and ineffectual way, stumbles upon a ruse to
defeat a nouveau riche interloper (Robin Thomas).
The Laird of Auldbiggings survives to spread his particular strain of
dissolution into another generation or two, and we might recognise
something of his likely descendants in James Kennaway's Country Dance,
which Fifth Estate took to Dundee a season ago. This sense of continuity
in the work of yet another of Scotland's hopelessly under-subsidised
companies is to their enormous credit, but there are warning signals in
this particular show that they might be stretching their artistic and
energy resources too thinly.
The framing device, featuring an incongruous huddle of jakies, is a
sloppy and confusing distraction. Perhaps it is that Moliere association
that invites a sometimes too facile retreat into pantomimic caricature,
but arguably that same quality comes direct from Galt himself, perhaps
the most accessible and strangely neglected of Scottish
nineteenth-century writers.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article