In Scotland, Billy Connolly is more than just a successful comedian, actor, musician, television presenter, and Knight of the Realm; he’s “the Big Yin”. In a country of people who normally show disdain for fame and success in others, Billy (we Scots would never call him Mr Connolly) is treated like royalty. This show, as well as presenting verbatim stories from around the country about the Big Yin, tries to understand why he engenders such affection in his home country.
a beautiful, humorous, and slightly saccharine insight into the legend
Gary McNair has undertaken the task of taking stories gathered from folk all over Scotland and turning them into a love letter that reflects that warmth the people share. What we get is a beautiful, humorous, and slightly saccharine insight into the legend delivered by McNair portraying each of these interviewees. A beautiful music score played live by Simon Liddell and Jill O’Sullivan and the extensive set design by Claire Halleran help greatly to create some atmosphere in the gargantuan Music Hall at the Assembly Rooms, but I feel it would work just as well if it were stripped-down and performed in a black box theatre to an audience of 60.
McNair does his very best to give each of the storytellers some character and the performances often lean in to the more comical but that’s to be expected when folk are talking about Scotland’s funniest son. Everyone has their own take of Billy’s life and career and, although this isn’t in any way a tribute show, we hear (via the interviewees own words) a lot of his classic gags. A highlight is a retelling of Billy’s take on the crucifixion that is so accurate to the version you’ve likely heard down the pub that it sparks in me a sensation of deja-vu.
If you’re a fan of the Big Yin, get yourself along to this lovely celebration of the man and maybe even take the chance to share your story.
