REVIEW: Scots by Noisemaker. A Play, A Pie & A Pint

Updated: Oct 9

SCOTS

A Play, A Pie and A Pint

Oran Mor, Glasgow

6 April 2023

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Scots tells the epic history and story of a nation via a very unusual narrator. A toilet!

Written by award-winning musical theatre partnership Noisemaker (Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie - both graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) Scots made a triumphant return to A Play, A Pie and A Pint playing to sold-out audiences at every show in Glasgow last week. This production already has a 'word of mouth' reputation and tickets were like gold dust.

I think it's widely known, and so hopefully not too much of a spoiler, to say that Scots is narrated by a toilet (Tyler Collins). The toilet has been around for a long time. Over the years many people have found space, thinking time and even safety, in his toilet cubicle. He has seen it all; even Kings and Queens need to use the facilities!

Tyler Collins does a magnificent job of playing the talking toilet. He is so enthusiastic about the stories he is telling us; he's upbeat, charismatic and captivating from the start. Tyler is a brilliant central point for the other actors to pivot around. I genuinely don't know how he remembered all the dates and names in 'A Quick History Lesson'. It's seriously impressive.

Tyler Collins as the toilet in Scots. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Richard Conlon is an exceptional actor and I'm delighted to have seen him in 3 very different productions and roles now. In Scots he plays a multitude of Kings and others. He must've galloped up and down the (pretty long!) aisle at Oran Mor at least 10 times and yet still have breath to sing and crack jokes. Amazing.

Richard Conlon and Tyler Collins are joined by Lauren Ellis-Steele and Grant McIntyre, as well as final year students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Sebastian Lim-Seet, Star Penders, Yana Harris and Mackenzie Wilcox. What an opportunity for them! And as you would expect from RCS, they are all INCREDIBLE!

The cast of Scots. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

As well as a first class cast, Scots has a magnificent musical theatre soundtrack. 'Give me a reason' is brilliant! Followed by the divine Lauren Ellis-Steele SLAYING 'I don't need your approval' - these songs could stand against any big musical playing the UK today.

Lauren Ellis-Steele in Scots. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

The whole cast are great. I'm delighted for them and for the writers, Director (Jemima Levick) and the production team that it has been announced that they will be playing 2 dates in New York City next week. They absolutely deserve it and the Americans are going to love it!

As a native Scot I'm not ashamed to say that I learned A LOT from this talking toilet and his buddies. It'd be great to see this play to a wider audience next; maybe even a tour of Scotland?

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