The Stamping Ground: A New Musical Featuring the Songs of Runrig at the Festival Theatre

Shows based around a band’s songs can sometimes be lacking in any real content; the storylines vacuous and the characters unconvincing.

Not so in this powerhouse of Scottishness. And I’m not talking tartan and shortbread!

Runrig’s name has been synonymous with the best of Scottish music for the last 50 years, and this Raw Materials/Eden Court Theatre production brings out the best of the Scottish Celtic rock band’s focus on everything that is unique to its homeland.

Named after the band’s 2001 album, The Stamping Ground is a rich, multi-layered story of life in a wee Highland village whose local pub, the heart of the community, is in danger of being demolished to make way for holiday homes.

The locals of Glenbeag try their hardest to keep traditions alive, living off the land and looking out for each other.

Mary is a crofter, helped by the young and spirited Summer, who also doubles up as a tour guide. But when Mary’s son, Euan, returns from London with his wife and 16-year-old daughter, determined to change things, and her childhood sweetheart comes back from Canada to woo her, tensions rise and a story about how Scotland’s future is compromised comes into play.

It is both heart-rending and uplifting. Though Runrig’s music is a major part of the production, and in particular Stuart Semple’s superb drumming, it doesn't detract from Morna Young’s story, and the entire cast give well-rounded performances.

I’m not a huge fan of the Scottish TV soap River City but cast members Jenny Hulse and Juliet Cadzow prove they are better than that.

As Euan’s wife, Annie, Hulse makes an impact both as an actor and a singer, winning our sympathy as she strives to deal with a teenage girl while trying to save her marriage.

On the other hand, Cadzow is pure fun. Hers is not a big role; she usually only appears with vodka in hand, a good time gal, but she steals each scene with her obvious enjoyment.

I also liked Naomi Stirrat’s vivacious yet vulnerable Summer.

Runrig’s stirring songs and The Stamping Ground certainly ‘beat the drum’ for Scotland, and everywhere else in danger of being lost through money-making schemes. And by getting to their feet and heartily joining the cast in the final song, Loch Lomond (the Hampden Remix), the audience certainly showed their appreciation on press night.

The Stamping Ground: A new musical featuring the songs of Runrig is at the Festival Theatre until May 27.