The content at this year’s Edinburgh festival was once again, in a word overwhelming. It’s become difficult to navigate your way through the city and arranging to see two shows in a row has become an impossible feat as late arrivals on stage seem to have become the norm.
The National Theatre’s Dear Billy written and performed by Gary McNair has gathered stories about the Big Yin from the mouths of mainly Glaswegians and is packed with old-school west-coast street patter. McNair delivers it with gusto shifting from one character to another swiftly and with ease. Many Scots will have heard the views, stories and opinions on Connolly before, not all of them are flattering and some reek of ancient bigotry but it’s dealt with appropriately.
Still, it was clear the international audience and even fans from across the border lapped up every minute. My first attempt at seeing the show was on Saturday evening, unfortunately, a fire alarm went off during the show. The building was evacuated, not an easy feat, and the audience was dispensed onto Rose Street at the back of Assembly Rooms.
Soon we were amid Saturday night drinkers, festival goers and football supporters going home after the match. The scene was pandemonium. It emerged that Police Scotland had issued the alarm, and one audience member suggested it was due to an unattended bag. Gary McNair appeared to continue the show on Rose Street, it was a surreal sight to see him in his big banana boots trousers and purple jacket with images of Billy Connolly on his back and sleeves outside.
It soon emerged the rest of the show was cancelled. I attended on the final night and was impressed by an emotive second half, some tender stories of fans were shared and we finally got to hear about McNair’s meeting with the Big Yin. My only criticism was the show began 10 minutes late and with another review backed up it meant missing out. That aside, I left the theatre aware of how much Billy Connolly means to the average punter in Scotland and beyond.
A well-acted and written show full of passion and drive for not just a Scottish hero but a one-man global institution.
