It opens like a Farndale Avenue show. An am-dram production by the Loch Parry Players of The Wicker Man, with suitably dilapidated scenery, naff costumes and an inappropriate West End style showbiz song and dance number which is very ably done.
The core cast of familiar Wicker Man characters are assembled to rehearse, sending cues to the technician at the back of the hall, bickering and establishing their family relationships which will become integral to the subtext.
So far, so as expected. The entry of a ‘real’ actor, Rory Mulligan, a ‘TV star fromBlood Beat‘ changes the narrative to one of further intrigue and sets up the idea that the patriarchal Finlay Fothergill runs his Players with a fierce sense of self-aggrandisement and some malice.
There are several layers of theatrical conceit at work, a fair bit of slapstick, some very lame jokes, lots of Scottish jokes, and some funny ones that keep an afternoon crowd giggling. The key scenes of the film are portrayed bawdily and the songs, as ever, are delightfully twee and bonkers.
Written by Greg Hemphill, who plays Lord Summerisle, and Donald McLeary, it’s a fast-paced and ballsy production, directed by Vicky Featherstone. The performers enjoy themselves and the convoluted plot does play out to a satisfactory conclusion. The Wicker Man is actually made of metal – for health and safety reasons – and is impressive. The baddy – Lord Summerisle – gets burnt and it ends with another high-kicking song and dance routine with vivid lighting and a burst of silver sprinkles. Whilst thin on any richer satire it’s a crowd pleasing show.