A Noble Clown
★★★★★ Resonant
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Venue 30): Thurs 31 Jul – Thurs 14 Aug 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
Even in slightly reduced form, A Noble Clown a the Scottish Storytelling Centre is a tour de force of writing, acting and directing, as well as necessary viewing for anyone interested in the heritage of Scottish theatre.
There is no excuse necessary for revisiting this production so soon after it first appeared for just two performances at the end of last year. Writer-performer Michael Daviot’s one-hander about the life of Duncan Macrae, star of pantomime, film and TV as well as ‘legitimate’ theatre, remains as essential as it ever was.
Michael Daviot in A Noble Clown. Pic: no credit.
Macrae was a major figure in the ‘renaissance’ of Scottish theatre in the mid-20th century; when he began his career, there wasn’t really such a thing as a professional stage actor based in Scotland. He was one of the first performers at the Citizens when it was founded and the first chair of Scottish Equity, as well as a tireless campaigner on behalf of the Scots language and Scottish independence.
This is an almost impressionistic work, flitting about between episodes in Macrae’s personal and professional lives, making clever use of excerpts from some of his most successful plays.
artistically accomplished
Even if it were not such an artistically accomplished work, this would be significant on account of its subject matter. The period of Scottish culture being explored is in danger of being forgotten, and the plays it features consigned to the dustbin of history.
Yet the works given here from James Bridie, Alexander Reid, Robert McLellan and Robert Kemp are not overshadowed by being featured alongside Rhinoceros or An Inspector Calls. It is always a matter of regret that room for revivals of such plays cannot be found in Scotland as well as the inevitable musicals.
Michael Daviot in A Noble Clown. Pic: no credit.
It is the compelling nature of this production that is the main draw here, however. The performance is a tremendous one, evoking Macrae’s (now perhaps somewhat outdated) style effectively without being a slave to it. Physically and intellectually, this is a remarkable piece of acting.
The other elements of the production are equally impressive. Michael Nardone’s beautifully assured direction means this flows and grips as one-handers seldom do. Roddy Simpson’s lighting and projections, meanwhile, are technically assured and add greatly to the effect.
From a full-length production with interval last time out, this has been cut down to fit a Fringe slot. Even if the longer version would be preferable, this is very nearly as good. There is a slight hiccup where the interval would have been, and the result can be a little breathless, but conversely the production gains in tautness and directness.
transport and inspire
The most astonishing thing remains the way that the power of the imagination is evoked and harnessed, with the use of simple props and costumes transforming the atmosphere. The closing scene, which deals beautifully with the problems inherent in closing a biographical drama, remains a magnificent example of how theatre can transport and inspire.
It would be good to have the full-length version back in the future; much like many of the shows Macrae featured in, this should tour all over. But for now, this version is a more than adequate substitute.
Running time: One hour and 5 minutes (no interval).
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Netherbow Theatre), 43-45 High St, EH1 1SR. (Venue 30).
Thursday 31 July – Thursday 14 August 2025.
Daily (not Mon 11, Wed 13): 6.45 pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Facebook: @MichaelDaviotactor
YouTube: @mikedaviot854
X: @MDaviot
Michael Daviot in A Noble Clown. Pic: no credit.
ENDS
