Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour @ Traverse, 19th Aug
Who could resist National Theatre of Scotland’s latest gift to audiences? Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour embraces outrageous humour and dark parody to bring Alan Warner’s novel The Sopranos to the stage, skilfully adapted by Lee Hall
Part play, part gig, part comedy of errors, Our Ladies tells the story of six Catholic schoolgirls as they travel from their small town to compete in a choral singing competition in Edinburgh, and more importantly to embark on a journey of self-discovery, sex and getting 'mashed' in a 24-hour bender of epic proportions.
It’s hard to see how any portrayal of teenage girls caught up in the terror and exhilaration of growing up could feel more authentically human, despite their exaggerated escapades. Behind the raucous façade, there’s a real gritty darkness. The schoolgirls’ struggles are universally recognisable but never clichéd, and each character is well-realised and respectfully portrayed as she deals with her own personal challenges and triumphs.
The musical format of the play is equally effective, and adds something unique to the production. A live band provides stirring accompaniment as the actors perform covers of the likes of ELO and Bob Marley, weaving beautiful choral harmonies into rock‘n’roll classics. Their energy is infectious, and the musical numbers are seamlessly integrated into the structure of the performance.
Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour has a universal appeal that’s sure to impress audiences regardless of age, gender or taste. This makes it a rare gem.
Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, touring Scotland and Newcastle