Auld Sangs and New Rhymes

FRINGE REVIEW

Auld Sangs and New Rhymes

St Serf's Hall, Clark Road

August 8th - 22nd £9.00

The 250^th anniversary of Robert Burn's birth has led to a few reappraisals of Burns the man, Burns the poet and the significance of his work today. Most Scots are justifiably proud of their national bard. This anniversary year has been promoted by the Scottish government as the year of the homecoming where Scots and their descendants overseas are encouraged to 'return' to Scotland on holiday.

Dismiss any fears of a dull but worthy recitation of the Bards verse and hifalutin interpretations of his songs. You'll not find anything like that in this production, Auld Sangs and New Rhymes. Burns was a colourful character with an eye for the lassies. This comes out well in John Archer's hugely entertaining celebration of his life brought to the stage by the Leitheatre company. This fast-moving story is performed in rapid-fire Scots as we see Burns juggling his complicated love life with his poetry, his farming and his duties as an Exciseman. The action moves around Scotland from his birthplace in Alloway through high society in Edinburgh and his death in Dumfries.

Changes of scene were choreographed smoothly with a minimum of props. The action took place in the centre of the packed hall with the audience arranged on all four sides. At times members of the audience joined with gusto in the singing of the auld sangs. This is a performance with staying power. It deserves to go on tour.

*****