Whisky Kisses

Recipe for a new Scottish musical: take a combination of Brigadoon and Local Hero, add a bit of The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil (with all traces of political commentary removed) and mix with whisky, ceilidhs and dashes of Scottish, American and Japanese stereotypes.

Whisky Kisses, with music by Jim Bryce and book and lyrics by Euan Martin and Dave Smith, is a work-in-progress that is full of joy, energy and good humour. However, one key ingredient is missing: dramatic conflict.

The biggest stumbling block for the musical is that it is constantly obvious. There is never any doubt as to where the plot, centred on the auction of the final bottle of a coveted whiskey, is going. Every character's function is apparent within thirty seconds of their introduction. Also, for a story that hinges on cultural differences, it always takes the easy option. By not only relying on common stereotypes, but in using the most popular examples of each stereotype, it becomes impossible to engage with either the story or the characters.

It's a shame that a talented ensemble are let down by such a flimsy script. The company, formed by RSAMD's Musical Theatre staff and students, all have plenty of energy to spare and are game for everything that director Andrew Panton throws at them. Panton attempts to liven the production up with camp interpretations of such settings as boardrooms and auctions, but in the end it feels as if there is an air of desperation in the staging.

The majority of the company are a pleasure to watch, but the production gives them such shallow material to work with that one is hardly allowed to sympathise with their lives or plight. It's an absolute shame, because on the few occasions that the script gives the company something decent, they shine. There is great potential to be had by this company that may be highlighted more clearly by one of their other productions (they have three other musicals on at the Festival), but there are only glimpses to be seen here.

New work always needs time to breathe and mature. With many more re-writes and workshops, it is certainly possible that Whisky Kisses could become a good piece of theatre; there are a few moments that show that the creative team are capable of making good dramatic material. As it stands now, unfortunately, it is nothing more than a shallow piece that completely lets this young talented company down.