Originally crafted as a work for the American stage, this engaging adaptation of a rare J.M. Barrie novella, has been pared down for the festival environment and actually works well as a two-hander, even keeping the majority of the complex Scots lingo that would often be discarded for a multicultural audience.
Set around the youthful trials and tribulations of Reverend Adam Yestreen, Farewell Miss Julie Logan is essentially a Scottish story and, while it doesn’t conjure up any real feelings of fear or terror, it is really interesting, mainly due to the fact that it is based on one of Barrie’s last works and engenders themes that ran through the writer’s life, most noticeably his fascination with the retention of youth and his reclamation of his roots.
While the tale is meant to be told purely in retrospect, Celtic Circle have staged it as a consistent two-hander with Vincent Guy and Alex Dee representing the elder, more staid minister and the younger, naïve version respectively. Both actor’s are highly able and competent and fill out the opposing roles magnificently. In fact, the juxtaposition between the two versions of the character plays nicely into Barrie’s youthful themes.
Filled with wry Scotch humour, Farewell Miss Julie Logan is undoubtedly one of this year’s hidden gems. While not quite worthy of full marks, it is a immensely enjoyable and engaging work and well worth a visit.
4/5
Richard Biggs
