Girl from the North Country at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.

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This quirky little musical by Conor McPherson, is based around the music and lyrics of Bob Dylan.  I must admit I thought I knew Bob Dylan’s music until I saw this musical, and only recognised a few songs.  Like A Rolling Stone was the most recognisable to me, I was waiting for Mr Tambourine Man but obviously it did not fit the story.  The songs are interwoven around the characters in the action on the stage.  It’s a bittersweet story of people’s lives in the 1930s, actually before Mr Dylan was even born.

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This was the “good old days” when times were hard, but when music can heal the soul.  One of the main characters, Elizabeth played brilliantly by Frances McNamee, is a lady who has severe mental health issues, but when the music plays she dances and sings just like anyone else.  Elizabeth is married to Nick, Colin Connor, and they run a guest house which is where the story unfolds.  They have a son and raised a little girl who was left as a baby in a bag in a bedroom by her parents.  Marianne, Frankie Hart, was raised as their own even though she had a different skin colour to the rest of the family.  Unfortunately she is now pregnant, with no sign of the father and Nick is trying to work out the best way forward for her; especially considering the world of debt that is weighing on his shoulders, as well as the problems with his wife.

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The son wants to be a writer but seems to spend more time under the influence of alcohol.  Gregor Milne plays the character of drunken Gene very well never leaving character.  Actually all the actors stay in character throughout the whole of the play even when they’re just moving furniture or playing an instrument.  All the musicians feature on the stage throughout the performance, sometimes just at the side as a four piece, sometimes playing violin in the thick of the action.  Sometimes the drums are played by a lady, sometimes a man.  The cast are all obviously multi-talented and move from acting to singing to playing instruments seamlessly.  Therein lies the beauty of the piece, this musical has won lots of awards and I can see why.  The cast is strong and obviously talented, the sets are imaginative and change easily.  The backdrop of the guest house moves away to reveal a loch and hills when the action is out with the hotel.  The costumes are also fabulous, era themed.  So many of the cast have amazing voices, when the awkward boxer character, Joe Scott, started singing I actually gasped!  Joshua C Jackson is definitely one to watch.

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Frances McNamee was the star of the show for me, she had some fantastic one liners and played the role of poor Elizabeth so effortlessly.  Whether she was avoiding her son feeding her, or adoring the doctor who brought her medication, she perfectly portrayed the character.  Sometimes she twitched and waved her hands madly, other times she came out with such insightful comments.  When she took the spotlight and sang, well gosh that was splendid!

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Although this was perhaps the most depressing storyline for a musical, it was also strangely delightful.  The relationships between these people all suffering their own hardships were heart-warming.  Sadly even though this was set way back in the 30s I could see similarities with modern day, the worries of financial hardship and the issues of mental health.  Unusually for a musical I did not leave singing the songs, but I did leave feeling happy and content.  Certainly worth a watch if you get the chance.

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Upcoming tour dates: https://girlfromthenorthcountryshow.com/

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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.

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