PPP: Eilidh, Eilidh, Eilidh
★★★★☆ Accomplished
Traverse: Tue 18 – Sat 22 Mar 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
Eilidh, Eilidh, Eilidh, by Lana Pheutan, is gently humorous and thoroughly involving. Pheutan, from Skye, has been involved in Fringe stalwarts Pretty Knickers Productions and in writing for TV Alba, and also directs what is the latest Play, Pie and a Pint from Òran Mór at the Traverse.
Two cousins, both called Eilidh, break into what is apparently one of many empty properties used as Airbnbs on Skye. The Eilidh played by MJ Deans is a teacher who has recently returned to the island after eight years in Glasgow. This has given her a new accent, which irks her cousin Eilidh Bheag (‘wee Eilidh’), played by Chelsea Grace.
Chelsea Grace and MJ Deans in Eilidh, Eilidh, Eilidh. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
The bigger Eilidh is annoyed that the proliferation of second homes and rental properties means that homes for natives are in short supply, and is focused on some kind of protest. It isn’t giving much away to say that the house in question may not be an empty second home, which is where the play’s third character Mrs Nicille Mhicheil (Annie Grace) comes in.
Indeed, it is very easy throughout to predict where the play is going. This is not a grave flaw, as Pheutan’s dialogue and direction are realistic and humorous. The relationship between the cousins is very well observed, and both Deans and the younger Grace turn in extremely fine comic performances. Annie Grace, meanwhile, is simply excellent as the cousins’ former head teacher.
economy
Heather Grace Currie’s design evokes the setting with great economy, and there is much else that is carefully considered about the staging. The surroundings are clearly signposted, with a smattering of Gaelic and local references, but the concerns are universal enough, and delineated with such sympathy, that they are accessible to all.
MJ Deans, Chelsea Grace and Annie Grace in Eilidh, Eilidh, Eilidh. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
While there can be no doubt on which side the play is going to come down regarding the problems of second-home ownership, there is nevertheless a great deal of nuance in the way the issues are explored, with very little being exactly as it first appears.
Not that there are any great twists in what ends up as a fairly gentle tale despite its 14+ advisory for ‘strong language’. However, the production is accomplished and engrossing to the end.
Running time: 55 minutes (no interval)
Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED
Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 March 2025
Daily at 1.00 pm
Details and tickets: Book here.
MJ Deans, Annie Grace and Chelsea Grace in Eilidh, Eilidh, Eilidh. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan.
ENDS
