JOHNNIE JOUK THE GIBBET

performed at Greenfaulds High School Theatre, February 1984

JOHNNIE McCLELLAND	Gerry McGladrigan	SIR GEORGE ELPHINSTONE	Jim Clark
LADY MIRREN	Betty Naismith	BAILLIE ANGUS CAMERON	Bill Mitchell
TOWN CLERK	Harry Glass	JESS CAMERON	Rena Haldane
EFFIE	Pat Currie	MORAG	Carol Finlay
RUGLEN WILL	Frank Dorrance

Apex Players took audiences back to the 17th century for a delightful comedy, "Johnnie Jouk the Gibbet".

Centred in the house of the Provost of Glasgow, the play demonstrated the group's ability to inject impromptu humour during the three-night run. Onlookers at Greenfaulds High School warmed to the actors and actresses as they progressed through an amusing storyline centred on the dexterity of Johnnie McClelland to escape the hangman's noose, despite his likeable rogue activities.

The lack of a hangman for the city was a headache which plagued the good Provost of Glasgow - Sir George Elphinstone. At every turn his moves to find an executioner are foiled, to the great delight of Johnnie.

The players managed to hold the audience's attention with humour, drama and romance, all the classic ingredients for an evening's entertainment.

My chief criticism is not even directly related to the acting which sustained a high standard. I felt the intervals were stretched out, and there was little need for two breaks. The scenery didn't change, the costumes remained largely unaltered - whey then stop the action twice?

That having been said, Apex did succeed in presenting a play with a high degree of merriment and the clever, throwaway lines were appreciated by the audience.

In Jim Clark, Apex had a convincing Provost who liked to think he was in full control of the situation, but depended entirely on his wife, Lady Mirren. Lady Mirren was one of the most outstanding members of the plot and seemed to relish every moment she was on stage. A delightful performance.

Bill Mitchell as Bailie Cameron was another player who contributed enormously to the success of the evening. The "legal" quotations and dry humour of the bailie gave he impression (however mistakenly) of dependability, respectability and of law an order!

The Town Clerk distinguished himself, bustling about at every beck and call of the Provost, indulging in the odd sip from the Provost's whisky decanter, and sharing the burden of such an important position in society. His portrayal was quite magnificent and captured the character perfectly.

Rena Haldane was assigned the role of Mrs Jess Cameron, sister of the Provost's wife. Her part demanded affection and sympathy for her sick husband, and often a pathetic air at her impending doom at the hands of the hangman, qualities which she more than matched.

[unfortunately our copy of the report has been damaged at this point and we are unable to establish this portion]

...busybody was well cast while Ruglen Will would be advised to speak out more to ensure every line being heard. Otherwise his appearance on stage brought the required response from his fellow Players... stay well away!

And finally to Gerry McGladrigan in the title role. He carried a certain nonchalant air about him with one eye for the women and another on the rope. The characterisation was filled with the right amount of devil-may-care romance and humour.

The set was very well done, the costumes fitting the period and, with the exception of a few forgotten lines and other characters mistakenly being addressed as the Provost/Bailie and vice-versa, the cast managed to keep the dialogue running.