Hiya Dolly! continues at theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, Edinburgh until 27 August 2022.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Entertaining education – a magical blend from the pen (no pun intended!) of Vince LiCata is a blend worth seeking out. More a play with songs, there is definitely the potential to develop a full-blown musical here.
Dolly is certainly the most famous sheep to have been born in Scotland. The story of the first fully cloned mammal was front page news around the world. This show takes us through Dolly’s story, often narrated by the cutest Dolly herself. Jessica Donnelly is irresistibly charming and cheeky in the title role; her pathos in playing the six year-old Dolly is oddly touching. Dolly is said to be named after Dolly Parton – the reasoning is part of the story and it relates directly to the science.
The story follows Ian Wilmut (Mark Beauchamp) as he sources the funding for the project and puts his team together at The Roslin Institute, just outside Edinburgh. One of the greatest scientists in the field, Keith Campbell (John Fagan) heads up the practical details with his team represented as Karen Mycock (Alana Johnson) and Bill Ritchie (Justin Newell) along with Bill’s future wife, Marjory Ritchie (Alice Wilkinson).
There are calls on the cast to double up in smaller roles, but under Andy Jordan’s direction, this is managed very clearly. The pace is just right, with the fluidity of moving items in the set to represent changing times and places working perfectly in the performance space.
There is character development across the piece as Dolly’s ‘Daddies and Mummies’ move closer to the goal and then the observation of Dolly. Every member of the cast does a sterling job. It is true that some of the accents take a scenic geographical detour every now and then, but all is forgiven as this international cast drives the story forward.
Musical direction is from Ciaran McGhee, also on guitar, with Adam Smith on violin. The tunes are well-known, but the lyrics have been scripted to fit the plot. The entire cast has strong singing voices and it would be satisfying to hear a few original pieces among these parodies. That said, the songs are very amusing and invite the gentlest of audience participation.
Dolly steals the show, as she should, and the hearts of the cast and audience alike. Loved this laugh out loud retelling of the story of Dolly the Sheep and learnt a whole lot too. Congratulations all round!
Fiona Orr
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