Johnnie Jouk the Gibbet (or 'Johnnie
Cheat the Hangman') is a period comedy very much in the Scots
vernacular, and an ear for the language of the time is necessary
to fully appreciate the humour.
The action takes place in the home of Sir
George Elphinstone, the Provost of Glasgow, during the early 17th
Century. It opens with Baillie Angus Cameron bursting into the
home of Sir George as he is conducting a bible reading with his
wife, Lady Mirren Elphinstone, and servants. Baillie Angus has
been robbed of his outer garments by an unknown assailant. Suspicion
immediately falls on lovable rogue Johnnie McClelland recently
returned from the wars.
Sir George and his Town Clerk concoct
charges to bring Johnnie to justice or 'shoogle the facts'.
However the public hangman has recently died and another cannot be
found. Through various twists and turns a surprising conclusion is
reached with Lady Mirren seemingly outsmarting her husband.
Cast performances on the night were
uneven. Nevertheless, Mandy Black, playing Lady Mirren, put
in a strong performance as the wily coquette, and Stuart McEwan
looked and sounded the part of the womanising Johnnie
McClelland.
If you have a taste for something
Scottish, this could be well worth a visit.
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