UK Theatre Network

"An Island Between Heaven & Earth" ***

Storytelling Centre, Netherbow 22 May

Written by Alistair Rutherford and directed by Jim McSharry, this is the story of the fulfilment of one man, Scots minister George MacLeod’s dream of re building Iona Abbey.  With a large ensemble of 11 actors, of diverse types and varying experience, this is an excellent example of a community theatre production, and it is to McSharry’s credit that everyone is cast and directed to show themselves at their best.  It is also a true piece of storytelling, which although full of lots of facts and figures, and sometimes quite wordy, is well written and always ably delivered and easy to absorb.  There are also cleverly incorporated, fascinating excerpts from original newspapers, letters and newsreel broadcasts, which add to the overall genuine flavour and period feel of the piece. There were a few teething problems with slight technical hitches throughout both acts, but the cast coped with these easily and I am sure they will be ironed out before the next shows. 

At the heart of the story is the idealistic, visionary George MacLeod (Adam Tomkins), a pacifist man of the church and a ‘gambler’ for God, determined to ‘untaint’ arms manufacturers’ tainted money to realise his dream, and Tomkins drives the piece forward with an outstanding, authentic performance, ably holding our attention at all times.    MacLeod uses a mixture of unemployed shipyard workers and trainee ministers for his task, and there are some very interesting clashes between ideological beliefs and social classes, with both sides learning unexpected things from each other.  The double act of Bobby MacKay (Philip Kingscott) and Archie Scott (Edward Ellis) provides some really endearing and humorous moments and Michael Mills’ portrayal of the humble but well-informed (if not educated) labourer Alistair Dunlop is at times both touching and informative.

The women’s parts are very much supporting roles and largely confined to housekeepers and/or storytellers (indicative perhaps of the times themselves) but all three (Lorraine McCann, Lisa Moffat and Janey Grant) do so with charm, warmth and, particularly in McCann’s case, well timed comedic moments. Scott Kenneway and Ian Fallon are convincing as Milorad Petrovitch and James MacQueen, respectively, and David A Roberts gives a solid performance as Bill Amos, while John Stewart ably portrays the gruffly hostile Andrew Munro.

This is a well directed and performed, easy to watch little piece which, when MacLeod realises both this dream and other personal and professional achievements, leaves you with a real feel good factor. I am sure all this will come across well when the show transfers to South Leith Church Halls between 11 and 13 June as part of this year’s Leith Festival.