A 10-strong cast of exceptional quality present a gripping production of Be Near Me at Perth Theatre this week.

Apr 24 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A National Theatre of Scotland production in association with London-based Donmar, this stage version of Andrew O’Hagan’s 2006 novel is directed by John Tiffany, whose acclaimed NTS work has included the outstanding Black Watch and The Bacchae.

Be Near Me does not ascend the theatrical heights of these two productions, but it does have that captivating and moving quality associated with John Tiffany’s work.

It’s a fast-moving and fluid drama focusing on one man’s slide into self-destruction, and, with tentacles exploring, what can happen when one world collides with another.

Be Near Me is a captivating and moving story about love, morality and regret, told through the experiences of Father David Anderton, an Oxford-educated Catholic priest assigned to a parish in Dalgarnock – a crippled Scottish town on the Ayrshire coast where sectarianism, unemployment, drugs and alcohol are rife.

Father David is drawn to Mark and Lisa, a troubled teenage couple who attend the nearby school. As events take a perilous direction, the priest‘s infatuation splinters his life into pieces.

John Tiffany’s distinctive stamp embosses itself on the production – and what a director’s dream to have such a talented cast with which to work.

Award-winning actor Ian McDiarmid wrote the stage adaptation and puts his all into his role as Father David. The audience emotions and empathy towards Father David twist and turn as the man’s often misplaced humanity and misunderstood good intentions see-saw with his foolishness and blatant hedonism.

Blythe Duff – weel kent for some 19 years as DS Jackie Reid in Taggart – gives a strong and sympathetic portrayal of the priest’s staunchly loyal housekeeper.

The other major players are angst-filled teens Mark and Lisa, played with strength by Richard Madden and Helen Mallon.

It’s lovely to see the hugely talented Jimmy Chisholm back on the Perth Theatre stage, so too Kathryn Howden, last here showing her strength as an actress in Phaedra.

The author weaves in a multitude of contentious issues, giving the audience a great deal to absorb, but there is also lots to laugh at and some wonderful music and songs, under direction of Davey Anderson, to lift the piece and emphasise the narrative.

There are just three more performances in Perth of Be Near Me – tonight, and tomorrow matinee and evening – before the production tours further afield.

Alison Anderson