Review: CARNEGIE – THE STAR-SPANGLED SCOTCHMAN, New Musical Theatre Alliance Scotland (Edinburgh Fringe - Online)
As death approaches Andrew Carnegie, the richest man in the world, it is John - a steelworker killed in the infamous Carnegie Steel Homestead Steel plant dispute in 1892 - who is brought back from the afterlife by Peterson, the embodiment of St Peter, to decide his fate. Should Carnegie go to heaven or hell? Did Carnegie do enough in life to get him that golden ticket upstairs?
Written by Ian Hammond Brown, Carnegie – The Star-Spangled Scotchman tells the story of Andrew Carnegie who emigrates to America in 1848 from Dunfermline, Scotland to seek work and rise from telegraph messenger to invest in railroad and steel before selling his company to JP Morgan for $480 million in 1901.
Told through the eyes of John, with Peterson, played commandingly by Edward Cory, as Devil’s advocate, we hear the story of Carnegie’s life. Was he just a self-made millionaire? Did his funding of libraries mean more to him than his money? Did he strive for world peace?
Directed by Graeme Shield, the story is told well and moves at a good pace. It is easy to hear the lyrics of the songs and the cast slip easily between dialogue and music. However, some of the accents are not consistent and it is occasionally hard to decipher if the character is Scottish, American or somewhere else entirely.
Joe Whiteman, the actual great-great-great-grandson of Andrew Carnegie, plays the lead and is strong in this role, and alongside Kim Shepherd as his wife Louise, they have some nice moments including a beautifully sung duet.
Donna Hazelton as his mother Margaret also stands out but unfortunately, the production appears to lack energy and in places, the actors are not well lit, making it a struggle to see what’s happening on stage.
It is, however, an interesting story and with the addition of a live orchestra and on-stage choir, it is an entertaining piece of theatre.
This is probably more for the history buffs than the musical theatre fans.
*** Three Stars
Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin
Carnegie – The Star-Spangled Scotchman is available to watch at Fringe Online.