Hatches, Matches and Dispatches
★★★★☆ Hilarious
Newington Trinity Church (Venue 11): Fri 1 – Sat 16 Aug 2024
Review by Hugh Simpson
In their 77th Fringe production – Hatches, Matches and Dispatches at Newington Trinity for the first two weeks – Edinburgh People’s Theatre remain the beating heart of the festival.
This is the sequel to Cochrane’s Ne’er The Twain (performed by EPT last year), and was first staged by EPT in 1998, when it won a Fringe First.
Lyzzie Dell, Dylan Flahive-Malcolm and Alyssa Mackenzie. Pic: Graham Bell.
While it adds something if you have seen the earlier play, this one very much stands on its own. Indeed, it is very probably a better play than its precursor. While resolutely Scottish, it is easily accessible to anyone. A strand of magic realism dovetails with variety tradition, in a beautifully constructed and very funny slice of life on the Edinburgh-Leith border (soon after the amalgamation of the two in 1920).
There is an assurance to Anne Mackenzie’s direction throughout, with a beautifully-paced production giving full rein to characterisation and comedy.
perfectly judged
Mandy Black and Ronnie Millar play Jean and Bob McIvor, in whose tenement flat on the Leith side of the border the play is set. His deadpan weariness and her exasperated sideways looks are perfectly judged, and – as well as being very funny – there is a realism to their relationship that helps anchor the play.
Lynn Cameron and Gordon Braidwood – as the McIvors’ more well-heeled Edinburgh friends Meg and Hugh Burns – are another thoroughly convincing pair, with her oblivious snootiness particularly pleasing.
Alyssa Mackenzie and Dylan Flahive-Malcolm are Carol and Robin, the two couples’ respective children, whose upcoming wedding comes under threat from events that take place at the funeral of Carol’s Aunt Nellie, and by meddling from the Burnses into where they are going to live. Once again, there is a humour and believability to these performances.
Ronnie Millar, Lynn Cameron, Gordon Braidwood, Mandy Black, Dylan Flahive-Malcolm, Alyssa Mackenzie, Pat Johnson. Pic: Graham Bell.
The problems at the funeral have largely been caused by Jean’s ne’er-do-well cousin and lodger Wullie, played by Michael Rankin with relish and comic glee.
There is similar spot-on timing from Pat Johnson as Meg’s mother Mrs Bell, while Aileen Copland is suitably spiteful as Bob’s sister Teenie.
comic masterclass
That Nellie McIvor is one of the central characters in a play set just after her own funeral is one of its more interesting features. Lyzzie Dell’s portrayal of Nellie is a comic masterclass, enjoying every opportunity to cause mischief while supposedly doing good, and even recovering from a missed line in a way seasoned panto professionals would envy.
Black and Robert Fuller’s set, constructed by Richard Spiers, is incredibly sturdy and lifelike, with the customary EPT attention to detail carried over into the props. Fuller’s lighting and Peter Horsfall’s sound are discharged with extreme care.
Alyssa Mackenzie, Lyzzie Dell, Michael Rankin. Pic: Graham Bell.
It is noteworthy that not only are some of the cast reprising their roles from last year, but they are also playing the same parts they did last time EPT performed these plays more than a decade ago. Not that there is any staleness, or indeed any cosy nostalgia, but instead a reflection of the care taken in the production and the welcome it affords.
There might be more glamorous outings on the Fringe, but this one boasts a venue that (while still fairly central) could be reached by car by less mobile audience members. And when you get there, there’s a friendly face, a selection of interval beverages, and a hugely funny play beautifully performed.
Running time 2 hours and 10 minutes (including one interval).
Newington Trinity Church (formerly Mayfield Salisbury Church), 18 W Mayfield, EH9 1TQ. (Venue 11).
Friday 1 – Saturday 16 August 2025
Evenings (not Sat, Sun): 7.30pm; Sat Matinee: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
EPT website: https://ept.org.uk
Instagram: @epeoplestheatre
Facebook: @EdinburghPeoplesTheatre
X: @EPeoplesTheatre
Members of the cast of Hatches, Matches and Dispatches. Pic: Graham Bell.
ENDS
