Delights Galore at Coliseum's Civic Night

The eagerly-anticipated Oldham Coliseum Civic Night took place as the famous old theatre geared up to stage the latest show in its run of 'Whisky Galore'.

Oldham’s Mayor, Councillor Shadab Qumer, and Mayoress Sobia Arshi were among the guests and sponsors who enjoyed a terrific evening and what proved to be a hugely well-received production.

Coliseum board members and supporters, including among others representatives from the Stoller Charitable Trust, Innovative Technologies, Remedian, Wrigley Claydon and of course Oldham Council, joined Chief Executive and Artistic Director Kevin Shaw for what proved to be an attention-grabbing version of Whisky Galore.

As Britain marks a century since women first gained the right to vote, the Coliseum Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre and New Vic Theatre are this year presenting a brand new, all-female adaptation of Compton Mackenzie’s classic play, by Philip Goulding.

Partly inspired by the true story of the Osiris Players, a troupe of female actors who toured the British Isles from 1927-1963, this new production is a tribute to the feisty, fearless all-female touring companies of the post war years.

Under the dogmatic direction of the redoubtable Flora Bellerby, witness the Pallas Players – Win, Doris, Flora, Bea, Aileen, Connie and Juliet – as they play all the hilarious and diverse characters from Compton Mackenzie’s comedy classic.

The islanders of Great and Little Todday are dismayed to find their whisky supply dwindling, as the government diverts the precious stuff to the Americans in an attempt to bribe them into supporting the British war effort.

When a 50,000 whisky bottle cargo shipwrecks close by, welcome relief seems to be at hand.

Conflict is guaranteed, however, once stuffy Paul Waggett of the Home Guard takes it upon himself to try and prevent the thirsty islanders from taking advantage of their good fortune.

Meanwhile, as in the finest of Shakespearian comedies, two weddings are planned; one hinges on timid George Campbell finding the (Dutch?) courage to stand up to his disapproving mother; the other involves a leading English Officer’s love for the daughter of a leading whisky filcher.

This production’s all-female cast includes: Christine Mackie (Downton Abbey’s Daphne Bryant); Coliseum favourite Isabel Ford; and Joey Parsad, who recently completed a national tour of Around The World in 80 Days (New Vic Theatre).

Oldham's latest version of Whisky Galore is a really slick production, never slacking in pace and holding the audience, and there is far more than certain multi-role actor plays, where just the swapping of a hat and accent is deemed enough for a change of character.

There is plenty of comedy in there, particularly in the representation of settings, while most of the acting is done completely straight with precise observations of the various characters and human interactions. 

There's considerable attention to detail in the costumes and impressively quick transitions which really gave this correspondent the impression of seeing a continuing wide range of characters.

Whisky Galore is a terrific show and would be perfect to introduce someone who might not be a theatre-goer, to just what can be achieved on stage with just a handful of actors and modest staging.

Mackenzie’s Whisky Galore was published in 1947, inspired by the sinking of the SS Politician off Eriskay in 1941.

It was adapted into an Ealing comedy film in 1949 and became an instant success.

Whisky Galore runs in Oldham until Saturday, April 7.

Following its run at the Coliseum, Whisky Galore will embark on a national tour.

Tickets can be booked on 0161 624 2829, or at www.coliseum.org.uk