Oran Mor
A Play, a Pie and a Pint
“a real theatre phenomenon of our time - fun, informal, buzzing with creativity”
THE SCOTSMAN
What's on this week
Latest News
Critics’ Circle Winner
Many thanks to everyone who submitted a review this week, we had a great response. Special congratulations go to Mary Boyle who was chosen as the winner with her homage to alliteration!
read more »Four Stars for Lysistrata
The Corona Classic Cuts Season comes to an end this week. Our cut down version of Lysistrata is described by The Herald as ‘wonderfully lewd, rude, crude and very funny.’
read more »Critics’ Circle Winner
Congratulations to Mo Scott who has been chosen as the winner of this weeks Critic Circle competition.
read more »Photos and videos
Latest comments
Stephen Henson
said about: Lysistrata by Aristophanes
Oh the banter over a pie and a pint The Greeks have no idea how we can slight The glesca gods of booze, patter and agro All present here in a brammer of a show Colin and Ian grand dames indeed With Ian acting aff his heed Colin plots and plans and teeters With a chorus of chitonisko’ed tweeters Giving voice to songs by McLennan They croon and chirp through to the end an Stumbling over a line or two Do not corpse but see it through Lines may change or stuttered over Action flows and then they go for Ian’s big sex scene Dave’s the husband Erections to deal with in the club land Dave’s on to nowt though Ian leads him on No shag tonight with or without a Trojon Special visitors from Atlanta came to view Lost in translation I think we knew Peace breaks out there’s sex and panting Colin and Ian no more ganting Lights go out and curtain falls Crowd cheers on at the company’s balls What a way to spend an hour Pies all gone and plays all ower Lines though linger and will last Always able to raise a laugh Cleverly written composed and sung By a company cucumberly hung With nothing forthcoming from the treasury I’ve written this at my leisury (understand now?)
alastair mcfarlane
said about: Lysistrata by Aristophanes
All of the cast worked together magnificently well in a superb ending to a brilliant season. No one could do anything other than guffaw at the outrageousness of the whole show not least the asides from the principles. It certainly deserves its X certificate ...as well, of course, as greater exposure! The gallus humour came shining through in almost every line. We shared with the actors the fact that they were really enjoying themselves..and we have two new magical ugly sisters. What a show...what a finale...we needed something to lift our depressed spirits and the cucumbers certainly helped!
Isobel
said about: Week Three of Corona Classic Cuts (Video Interview)
Brilliant production of this stunning play. A skilled adaptation by the director and a moving portrayal by a hard working cast. The sense of oppression throughout is so tangible that, at times, one almost feels pinned to ones' seat. Strung through with touches of humour there is also a feeling of hope in the face of adversity. Go along if you can...it would be a shame to miss it!
admin
said about: A Play, a Pie and a Pint
Hi Paul - All the upcoming plays can be found in the 'Plays' section. You will find the taskbar running along the top of the homepage. Hope this helps!
Paul Rooney
said about: A Play, a Pie and a Pint
Please do something with your site. Trying to find out what plays are on for the Play, Pie Pint thing is very difficult.
Hugh Boyd
said about: The Sunday Lesson Review
Unlike the world, the Oran Mor’s Play, Pie and Pint season ended with bangs but no whimpers. The Sunday Lesson was the weekly driving lesson and the cockpit for the changing relations between brash father and laid back son. If that sounds serious it was the opposite. Playwright Cathy Forde’s ear for dialogue and local patter combined with great performances by Jimmy Chisholm and James Young kept the audience laughing. With grey hairs galore in the audience we saw ourselves living through the times when we too adapted as our chicks fled the nest. A great end to the series.
sandra burnett
said about: Game, Set and Match!
What a wonderful play! So much emotion in such a short time.Maureen Beattie is superb and Gerry Mulgrew is a class act. Do not miss this highly topical and emotional play. Well done Gerda.
Irene Robertson
said about: Please Mister (with video interview)
I took my friend to see Please mister. It was her first at a "Play Pie and Pint". We were both totally bowled over by the acting . Superbly done! Thank you for a great experience.
tracey mccarry
said about: Please Mister (with video interview)
brilliant play very sad and worth seeing well done pat need to bring it to rothesay x
Mary Boyle
said about: The Woman from the North Review
The Woman from the North by Bernard MacLaverty captures the dilemma of dementia from the viewpoint of the sufferer,in this case Cassie Quinn,who has been placed in residential care by her concerned son for assessment. A diagnosis of his mother's worrying behaviour. It is a moving piece which captures the bewilderment Cassie experiences in trying to come to terms with her new circumstances. It's simple staging and strong performance from Eileen Nicholas as Cassie, almost make one feel an intruder, witnessing the diminishing identity of Cassie before our very eyes, feeling compassion for her plight yet powerless to offer solutions or answers that will satisfy either party. To those of us who have experienced dementia first hand it is an accurate account of its beginnings, to others an insight into this thief of a disease which steals the very essence of our being.
Jeanette Molloy
said about: Casablanca (The Lunchtime Cut)
I seen this play yesterday and it is fabulous. The play of the year, most definately. Can you tell me if there are any future dates for this? My friend queued outside only to be disappointed along with many others as it was sold out. It was nice to meet Gavin in the lift before the show, who gave absolutely nothing away about the plot. LOL Please Please show this again???? Jeanette x
admin
said about: The Original Robinson Crusoe
Hi Marianna - Unfortunately is too late to win the bottle of Malt for Bear on a Chain, but thank you for your review! Glad you enjoyed the show and hope to see you again soon!
marianna lines
said about: The Original Robinson Crusoe
I have just reviewed this play for The St Andrews (Fife) Citizen, and send it on to you in case it is not too late. Sorry that it must be! I could not get it done in time for last week, as I only saw the show on Wednesday and was not home to write until now. I loved it and hope to see more! thank you Oran mor and Play and Pint people and especially sue glover!
marianna lines
said about: The Original Robinson Crusoe
BEAR ON A CHAIN by Sue Glover SWASHBUCKLING !… That great seadog of all seadogs, Alexander Selkirk, of famed historic lineage to Fife, is the star of the show in Sue Glover’s new play, ‘Bear on a Chain’, which opened to packed houses and rave reviews in Glasgow last week at the Oran Mor West End’s popular ‘A Play, a pie and a pint’ series. Sue Glover, a well known, seasoned playwright from Anstruther, has given us another exciting, memorable and historically based drama, based on the true character model for Robinson Crusoe, the most famous shipwrecked story of all time. Selkirk was from Largo, and went to sea as a boy, hardly ever returning until his epic rescue from the South Sea island of Juan Fernandez 400 miles off the coast of Chile in 1709. Described as being ‘like a herring in a net, his eyes like scales’, the return of Selkirk to Largo brings more trouble to the family and the community, and a predictable story for this buccaneer. He is described by his lapsed love interest sister in law Meg – a perfect character of an East Neuk fish wife – as like a goat running around his island … or as the vulnerable maiden Sophie says .. “like a bear on a chain, cryin’ and ragin’, a bear in a circus”. So the hooligan dancing bear finds his welcome not as good as expected as he returns home to Fife, the gentleman of leisure, then leaves again with yet another wake of broken hearts and pain. This short play tells the story in a vibrant electrifying way, staged as theatre in the round in the Oran Mor space, with a brilliant cast led by Gavin Keane as Sandy Selkirk, Pauline Knowles as Meg, and Rebecca Elise as Sophie Bruce. Keane as Selkirk is the perfect young and fit swashbuckling ego ridden seaman who soon finds that Largo is a jail, not a refuge. The story of Selkirk has been studied and written about for generations, but true facts have never been agreed, so it lends itself well to a dramatic interpretation as Sue Glover has certainly given us in top form! Returning to the light of a sunny Glasgow afternoon following the noon time drama, it felt as though one were truly in the grip of a wee fishing community in the net of another time and place. Marianna Lines
Catherine Czerkawska
said about: David Responds to Critics' Circle Ire
As one who has been the recipient of some mixed reviews in the past (sometimes, as I overheard when attending my own play at the Oran Mor, from members of the same family, arguing about it afterwards!) I say good for David, for taking risks. And he's absolutely right. There are many works that were celebrated as masterpieces at the time - perhaps because they were 'fashionable' - but that have sunk without trace - and others that have stood the test of time in spite of being slated by the critics. Anything that provokes a little debate can only be good for theatre in Scotland - sorry I couldn't manage to see this production!
Jennifer Hainey
said about: David Responds to Critics' Circle Ire
As far as I'm concerned, the reviews mean very little. If the producer, director, actors, everyone involved, believe in the production then it's a worthwhile piece of theatre. The great thing about this show (which I unfortunately will not get to see this week) is that it has provoked a debate and a divide with the audience. That means people are talking about it and that in itself is a great thing.
Donald Nelson
said about: David Responds to Critics' Circle Ire
I do not care for the views of critics. When I worked for Scottish Opera, and other companies, I would stand in the wings at the end of a show and watch a full house, on their feet clapping and cheering, only for the critics to rubbish it the next day. I am sure they all get together at the bar after sow and decide who is going to write what.
admin
said about: The Great Glasgow Pie Hunt & Quiz
Hi Michael. Yes we're not putting the pie in place until first thing Sunday morning, so if you happen to be found wandering down a muddy road this evening (causing a disturbance?) the pie-hunt alibi isn't going to stand up in court for you I'm afraid! Good luck finding it on Sunday!
MichaelM
said about: The Great Glasgow Pie Hunt & Quiz
You mean it isn't hidden yet? So if I went down to a certain muddy road tonight it wouldn't be round about there? :)
admin
said about: The Great Glasgow Pie Hunt & Quiz
Hi Ian. Yes we're giving the answer to each cryptic clue the next day, wouldn't want to exclude anyone who gets stuck from joining in the treasure hunt fun on Sun! How are you getting on? Do you think you know where it is yet...?
Lesley Paterson
said about: The Garden
Two sad people in a sad little flat. Who cared when they finally managed a productive conversation even if it was only to finish all the pills! Was this play meant to represent our governmental agencies who meet frequently on committees and sub committees to con the public that something good is coming out of the talks? Best thing from the play was the apple tree.... and they killed it.
Terrymac
said about: Weekly Critics Circle Competition Winner
I have only one wee comment on Anthony Twist's review of 'Battery Farm'. The Oran Mor is in Glesga innat.No gie us a wee clue whit the hell yer talkin' aboot, Jimmy!
admin
said about: And the winner is...
Thank you Douglas! Unfortunately no free pie, however if you team your excellent punctuation with a good review of the play for our Critics’ Circle, you could be in for a chance of getting a free bottle of Malt! Hope you enjoy the show.
Douglas Clark
said about: And the winner is...
"..if you're coming along..." not "your".Can I have a free pie on Saturday 13th for sorting out your punctuation;-)
Gerard Francis
said about: Crunch
Critics' Circle Review: No two performances of 'Crunch' are exactly the same. Such is the way of things when pastoral oratory meets stand up comedy. The essence of the play was inadvertently revealed by a member of Thursday's audience who piped up in indignation that instead of eliciting money for shredding purposes, the actor (because let's remember we were in a theatre) should ask instead for a £5 donation to charity. Through this outburst, the dénouement became clear: expressing horror at the destruction of a piece of paper was the perfect illustration of our love affair with money in its most devastating guise.
colin bulloch
said about: Crunch
play which exudes "le crunch"[golden,delicious with bite}"critics'circle review" audience participation; abridged evolution of mankind from hunter/gatherers via bartering to complex economic systems.the man in black convinces/compells the audience to join him on his whirlwind explanation of his five step theory of belief in money/richism.a solo performance to match that of any wild west snake-oil salesman.he reveals to all assembled how can behave like sheep blindly following or even lemming -like in our urge to do his bidding.music,Dire Straits,Stereophonics,Darwin,economics,bidding,greed,jealousy and psycology interact in this
Chris Smith
said about: Crunch
First visit to 'A Play,a pie and a pint', always fancied going, what would it be like?Had a drink in the bar before the show to assess the vibe and dug the chilled atmosphere - and enjoyed reading about future plays. Hope it's good. I battered my melt in to earn the right to go. I broke my tibia late 2008, am 44 in April and played football for 90 minutes Saturday past.Anyhow Gary McNair's utopian, Glaswegian, machiavellian, richism (I'm after the malt!)play and way did not disappoint - the guy had the audience in his pocket throughout.(99)
Alasdair Kelly
said about: For the love of money. Or maybe not...
Really liked Gary's performance - as someone who presents personal development sessions myself I found his delivery strangely familiar! The content was entertaining throughout however the ending, ironically, was not sufficiently on the money.
Peter Griffin
said about: For the love of money. Or maybe not...
Critic's Circle Review A winning performance from Gary McNair,his character, a cross between Rodney Trotter and Jonathon Ross easily seduced the OM regulars. Having said that, I felt that some of his interaction with the audience was simply padding out a rather clever sketch.When it comes to the crunch I think 'Crunch' would benefit greatly from a minor rewrite.Nevertheless,its still well worth the admission money and if you are in luck Gary might even give you your money back.
Susan Porteous
said about: The Secret Commonwealth
Having been transported into that place where the "real world" meets the unknown by a beautifully written and beautifully acted play, The Secret Commonwealth, I cannot agree with those who find the play irrelevant to today. I can only mourn what we have lost in our age of so-called civilisation.
cameron mcdougall
said about: For the love of money. Or maybe not...
Have just got home from seeing Crunch---gary Mc Nair was excellent as an American evangelist preaching his Richism philosophy-----hugely entertaining and thought provoking! I ALMOST got my wallet out ?
Terry Mc Fadden
said about: Crunch
CRUNCH. This one man tour de dorce was like attending one of those early American sales courses which demanded continuous inter-action and participation from those present. The pacey, thought-provoking dialogue, which, on the face of it, seemed only to poke gentle fun at our financial institutions, still managed to leave the audience with a few alarm bells ringing in their sub conscious minds. Great theatre!
George Cameron
said about: Crunch
Critics' Circle review What will we do for money, and could we live without it? Gary McNair tries to convince us we can. Dressed in Black and Gold with £10 in top pocket McNair delivers a lecture like performance on our belief in money. With interaction, McNair takes the audience though our inner greed whether bidding for an undisclosed amount or trading a jumper for actions! Could you really shred your hard earned cash? He convinces some they can! Go along and liberate yourself! This show is well worth the tenner!!
Julie Logan
said about: The Secret Commonwealth
The Secret Commonwealth is a play imagined in the modern day that simultaneously predates and postdates the preoccupation with the divided self that exists in Scottish literature. Robert Kirk personifies the Caledonian antisyzygy as he struggles through life wrestling with the pull of the new world and the allure of the old. There are times when the monologue almost slips into the realms of becoming a glorified storytelling exercise. However it is saved from this by the performance of Brennan and works best as a piece of drama when Robert's words are set against the evocative singing of Deirdre Graham.
John McDonald
said about: The Secret Commonwealth
"Critics' Circle Review" The Secret Commonwealth confirms that Brigadoon is alive and well. A solo performance is always challenging. Liam Brennan paced about in his elasticated waist trousers in a manner reminiscent of Jack Sparrow, shouting his lines with gusto. The Highland Scenario was laden with pseudo scottish cliches, from oatcakes to heather honey; disappointing that Tannochbrae didn't get a mention. Deirdre Graham's lone voice was haunting, although at times The White Heather Club would have better suited the genre. As a portrait of 17th Century highland life the play verges on the comedic
Critics' Circle Review
said about: The Secret Commonwealth
Why should you go to see a play about a seventeenth century Scottish minister in a remote Highland village? Well - because it isn't about those things, but about what lies beyond them on the edges, the margins, where languages, cultures and traditions collide and melt, reality isn't reliable and nothing is what it seems. I wasn't at all put off by the one-person monologue form: the speeches were so powerful and mesmerising I was as entranced as the poor minister himself. The acting was great and the whole thing worked. Quite enjoyed the pie too.
Chris
said about: A Play, a Pie and a Pint
Hi Edith, Could you not see the videos? Apologies about that. Very odd. I've just checked the videos and site on several different browsers, and on two separate computers/internet connections, and they are playing fine. Maybe you could try another computer? Or you could try our youtube channel and see if that works out for you. It's at http://www.youtube.com/PlayPiePintatOranMor Let me know if this helps you out! Thanks, Chris
Edith Smith
said about: A Play, a Pie and a Pint
Dissapointed as I could not get into see the interviews with Colin beattie, Ian Black, and david Hayman. However I am looking forward to this years plays. Edith.
Sarah
said about: 2010 Spring Season Announced!
Hi Kay! All the info about the new season is up on the plays section of the site now. Hope to see you in Feb! Thanks, Sarah
kay grantham
said about: 2010 Spring Season Announced!
Please keep me informed oF new evsnts. Thankyou Kay
William Livie
said about: A Play, a Pie and a Pint
Been to one of the plays on a visit to Glasgow earlier in the year. I really enjoyed the play that was on, and also the pint. I didn't really enjoy the pie though but apart from that, a really enjoyable hour.
Kyle MacRae
said about: Competition Time!
Competition over, folks. Thanks for your fantastic entries. Louise Stewart scooped the jackpot with "A Burns, a Bridie and a Buckie" :-)
Bronagh Bell
said about: Competition Time!
a soiree, sarnie and swalley a blether, a blinis and a bevvy.
Kirstie Swain
said about: Competition Time!
A Panto, a Pasty and a Pinot Grigio A Story, a Stovie and a Swift One. A Fable, a Feed and a Firewater A Tragedy, a Tart and a Tennant's. An Act, an Aliment and an'Alf
alister
said about: Competition Time!
lunch, lager and lovies! beer, bangers and brecht! chekov, chardonnay and cheese! Port, pasta and panto
Heather
said about: Competition Time!
A Lochhead, a Lorne sausage & a Lager A McGrath, a McDonald & a McEwans
Gerard Connolly
said about: A Christmas Carol
A very enjoyable show, but did not have the laughs of last year. Bound to happen I guess, but worth seeing. I look forward to the 2010 production.
Jennie
said about: Competition Time!
A Berkoff, a Biriani and a Beck's A Webster, a Watermelon and a WKD A Dorfman, a dumpling and a double(of whatever you're having....) now I must go and do some w*rk
uberVU - social comments
said about: Competition Time!
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by PlayPiePint: It's competition time. Come up with the best aliteration and win 2 of the hottest tickets in town http://bit.ly/8jdRSi please RT...
Craig Glover
said about: Competition Time!
A Farce, a Fish and a Fosters A Musical, a Munch and a Midori A Cabaret, a Croissant and a Campari A Revue, a Ravioli and a Rum A Chekov, a Chomp and a Cheeky Vimto
Grant
said about: Competition Time!
A William, a Waffle and a Whiskey A Russell, Rhubarb and a Russian A Gilbert, a Goulash and a Guiness :)
Michelle
said about: Competition Time!
How about, A Shakespeare, a shandy and a shag? Clearly a shag isn't food, but if music be the food of love, and all that... Forgive the "Brazen" approach, but it's what we do best.
Lesley Judge
said about: Competition Time!
A Midsummer Night's Dream, a Meringue and a Midori A Cervantes, a Cheese sandwich, and a Cerveza A Beckett, a Bhuna and a Bacardi and coke A Pinter, Pork Scratchings and a Pina Colada
Allan Carroll
said about: WestEnders Ends Tonight
I'm going to miss this series - it's been such a laugh! Can you promise me it will be back?!
Chris
said about: Panto Reviews
Hi Hilary! Glad you had fun at the panto and i'm over the moon that you've finally found us after all these years! Incidentally (as a native of the Southern lands), if you're keen on honing your skills for the local dialects of Scotland check out the wee video of Ian Black on our site here. Ian comes to every single one of our plays (and is often found in the bar area afterward), he wrote the book "Edinbuggers vs Weegies" so is somewhat an authority in Scottish slang - next time you're down introduce yourself and i'm sure he'll be more than happy to take you through any Glasgae words that you need clarification on!
hilary smith
said about: Panto Reviews
Attended panto today- 1st time at Oran Mor and it was an extremely entertaining experience!I loved the humour typically Glaswegian and as an anglo-saxon even understood it!! I would have no hesitation in recommending the concept and am amazed having lived in Glasgow for 9yrs it must be the best kept secret ever!!! I will be back!
Tweets that mention A Play, a Pie and a Pint » Blog Archive » A Christmas Carol -- Topsy.com
said about: A Christmas Carol
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bagging Scotland and Play Pie Pint, Play Pie Pint. Play Pie Pint said: @BaggingScotland Glad you enjoyed the panto at the Citz at the weekend. Fancy another one? http://bit.ly/7eT5qD [...]
Chris
said about: Panto Reviews
Thanks Catriona and Robert for coming along to the show and glad you had fun! Sorry to hear about the lift incident Robert, I hope you weren't stuck in there for too long!
Robert Colquhoun
said about: Panto Reviews
This was our first ever visit. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The panto was very funny and we laughed out loud many times. Even getting stuck in the lift afterwards didn't lessen the enjoyment of the day.
Catriona Campbell
said about: Panto Reviews
Excellent entertainment, really appreciated the effort the cast put into the show.
Kyle MacRae
said about: A Play, a Pie and a Pint
Are you same Ian Black I bumped into in a pub in Tobermory about 8 years ago? You spotted me as a fellow journalist because I was a) sitting alone b) reading a book c) the book was by Martin Amis :)
Jill
said about: WestEnders - live soap opera
This is just such a great idea, can't wait for the next episode
Oran Mor, Top of Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8QX, phone 00 44 (0)141 357 6200 | Terms and conditions
Lysistrata: Still 2/2
Lysistrata: Still 1/2
Fuenteovejuna: Still 2/2
Fuenteovejuna: Still 1/2
Tartuffe: Still 2/2
Tartuffe: Still 1/2
The Seagull: Still 1/2
The Seagull: Still 2/2
The Sunday Lesson: Still 1/2
The Sunday Lesson: Still 2/2
Corona Classic Cuts
Ian Pattison
Partick Harkins Interview
Bernard MacLaverty
Interview: Alan Bissett
Interview: Morag Fullarton
Interview: Sue Glover
The Great Glasgow Pie Hunt
Sandy Grierson Interview
Lorne Campbell Interview
An Interview with Selma Dimitrijevic
Interview: Zinnie Harris
Interview with Gregory Burke
Interview with Ella Hickson
Interview with Dominic Hill
Interview with Graham Eatough
D C Jackson Interview
Tales from down under
Interview and rehearsals with Gary McNair
Rehearsal: The Secret Commonwealth