Nothing like a ‘guid gab’

A PLAYWRIGHT who was taken under the wing of one of Scotland’s biggest comedy writers, who turned his script into a full touring production, says the whole experience has been “a dream come true”.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Feb 2013, 07:00 BST

Michael Kelly wrote the first draft of And All Because the Ladies Love a Right Guid Gab almost 20 years ago, when he was a member of a writers’ group at the Byre Theatre in St Andrews. Des Dillon, writer of successful plays including Singing I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim. Des has directed Right Guid Gab and has taken it on the road.

“I first met Des in 2001,” said Michael, a former stuntman who has credits in such big movies as Braveheart and Rob Roy. “He was giving a course which was being held by Scottish Screen. I gave him the script and he liked it enough to put it into production.”

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Billed as “the best thing to come out of Fife since The Skids,” the comedy - which is the first part of Kelly’s “Because The Ladies Love” trilogy, the comedy sees elderly Ella Baxter preparing for a trip in the Highlands with husband Sandy. However village gossip Babs White bursts in with big news that threatens to change everything.

The play stars Jacqueline Hannan and newcomer Yvonne Collins. “This is Yvonne’s first acting job, but I’ve seen her and she’s a natural,” enthused Michael, who lives in Lenzie. “Jacqueline is more experienced and also very good,” he added.

The play has been on the road since January 23, when it launched at Cottiers Theatre in Hyndland. See it at Cumbernauld Theatre on Saturday, February 16.

Tickets, £10/£8, on 01236 732887 or www.cumbernauldtheatre.co.uk.

Related topics:ScotlandDes DillonSt Andrews