What Girls Are Made Of continues at Traverse 1 until 26 August 2018 (not 15, 20).
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cora Bissett – darling of Scottish theatre – takes us on a wee trip back in time to the Darlinghearts days of her youth. Whilst still at school, she was the lead vocalist for a four-piece band that nearly made the big time.
Alongside the story of how the band are signed and reach the heights of supporting Radiohead and Blur on tour, runs the story of Cora’s relationship with her family in Fife. Bissett has been clearing out the attic in the family home and comes across boxes with her diaries she began writing aged 11 and the miraculous box labelled ‘Cora’s clippings’, saved by her Dad.
It takes courage to reveal so very much of your personal and professional life: courage that Bissett hides behind one of the brightest smiles any of us will ever see. The ‘supporting cast’ are anything but – each of them shine in their own way as performers, actors and musicians. Susan Bear is a classic drummer and not too dusty on keys and guitar and excels as Bissett’s mate, Cathryn.
Aside from playing the others in Darlinghearts, Simon Donaldson and Grant O’Rourke are excellent as every other character in Cora’s story. Donaldson’s portrayal of Dad alongside O’Rourke as ‘Mum’ are terrifically engaging and the comedy is turned on its head as the story takes downturns as ever family story does… Deeply moving.
Bissett’s upbeat ‘mask’ is often at odds with the text and befits the teller of a tale. The mask slips, albeit briefly and poignantly in her rendition of Tori Amos’ ‘Horses’ where her longing is laid bare. Then her glorious twinkle is put firmly back in place: “Rehearse a nice, natural airy smile.” Fully realising the universality of those who show the world a smile to detract from the pain deep inside.
The music is brilliantly raw for the most part, showcasing the brilliance of Bissett the vocalist. Audiences readily warm to her vocals and the musicianship shows great versatility and skill. In the staging, there could have been more variety – particularly when we see what the stage is capable of delivering after the finale! It’s rather like having a Rolls-Royce but keeping it up on bricks in the garage. Maybe it’s a metaphor that the best is yet to come…?
She is entirely her parents’ daughter – the respect, love and admiration for them is clear in every syllable and it’s palpable that she wants to pass on that same feeling and bond with her own child. The bonny wee girl asking: “Mummy, what are girls made of?” leads to the final number: the musical/rap response is upbeat, resonant and detailed, cleverly capturing the arc of Bissett’s life and family as we have just seen and heard it. In a family such as this, this wee girl has chosen a great place to live.
Hugely enjoyable.
Fiona Orr
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