Monster in the Hall, The

Traverse Theatre    14 - 28 August @ Various Times    Citizens Theatre (A TAG Production)

Multiple sclerosis, social workers, motorbikes and spliffs. Just a few of the more transparent subject matters in David Greig’s fabulous musical. Duck, played superbly sensitively by Gemma McElhinney, is being brought up by her Dad (David Carlyle), but as his multiple sclerosis worsens the family is forced into a situation in which they must prove that they are ‘coping’. Relevant, inventive, moving, funny and warm, Duck’s story is one of realism and fantasy, and the two are melded seamlessly through song and physical theatre. Microphones, chairs and pink-framed spectacles form the set and props, and Nigel Dunn and Steven Wright have complemented the writing with gorgeously vintage sounding music. Keith MacPherson is hilarious as the (definitely NOT gay, just into fashion) potential boyfriend, David Carlyle’s portrait of a man in denial over his condition was extremely touching and Beth Marshall’s portrayal of a slightly hairy Norwegian anarchist had the audience in spontaneous applause. I only had one problem with this production. Because it was performed in the round, everyone could see me crying at the end. Not out of sadness, out of the sheer beauty of the thing.

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