Finlay McKillop and Kyle Gardiner in Restless Natives at Perth Theatre and Touring. Picture: Mihaela Bodlovic
Restless Natives was reviewed at Perth Theatre where it continues until 10 May 2025. The tour continues touring Scotland until 28 June 2025.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Famous, in a cult-like way, Restless Natives was a celebrated part of a rich period for the Scottish film industry. Alongside such titles as Gregory’s Girl and Local Hero, Restless Natives broke new ground for Scottish talent. Featuring the music of Big Country, this new theatrical production is dedicated to the memory of the front man, Stuart Adamson: “The heroes aren’t dead, they’re just sleeping under the hills.”
The story follows Ronnie (selling tricks for a living from a joke shop) and Will (a road sweeper) who decide to take life by the tail and become heroes in their own lifetimes. Donning joke shop masks of a clown and a wolf, the duo become highwaymen, robbing wealthy tourists on coach tours across the Highlands, then redistributing the wealth so ordinary people also gain from the rich tourist trade. It becomes a badge of honour to have been part of a coach party held up by the charming clown and wolf who charge around the Highlands by motorbike.
Finlay McKillop is thoroughly disarming as Will (AKA Wolf Man) and Kyle Gardiner is charm itself as Ronnie (The Clown). Each bears a strong resemblance to the original film actors, Vincent Friell and Joe Mullaney, and are both excellent singers and dancers.
Along the way of the story, we meet a range of customers to the joke shop, Will’s family, the bemused police force, their American consultant and multiple passengers. Will’s affection for Margot (Kirsty Maclaren), a guide on the tourist buses, develops into a romance with the opportunity for duets and solos of the more traditional musical fare.
Elsewhere, Tim Sutton’s music and Ninian Dunnett’s lyrics evoke the time and feel of early 1980s music that stand up well alongside the genius of Big Country, showing great energy and serving story and characters perfectly. There are several very amusing musical jokes along the way and the musical director, Hilary Brooks, leads the live band beautifully.
Michael Hoffman’s direction is witty, bright and playful. He is credited alongside Ninian Dunnett and Andy Paterson for the book and the whole production sits very well in Becky Minto’s design. Special mention for the witty scene changes, along with the incredulous reactions from time to time as a character bursts into song!
Overall, the show is unashamedly playful and great fun. If you don’t leave with a smile on your face, you must be ‘deid’! Loved it.
Fiona Orr
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