Forty four years ago, first time playwright John Byrne presented Writer’s Cramp, staged at the Edinburgh Festival. Telling the life story of Francis Seneca McDade, an aspiring writer from Paisley, whose work from poetry to painting, journalism and literature went subsequently undetected on the “deciduous tree of Scottish literature”, married to writer Pamela Crichton-Capers.

For its 2021 season, following the effects of the pandemic, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is bringing works to its Soundstage platform, in collaboration with Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Naked Productions, including Tennis Elbow, a new original play by John Byrne. 

Tennis Elbow unravels the fictional life story of Pamela, “sometime wife” of Francis McDade, performed by the talented Kirsty Stuart, whose warm-hearted performance makes her character instantly appealing, especially when she’s up to something.

Writer’s Cramp introduced the Nitshill Writing Circle as it celebrated mentor Francis. Tennis Elbow uses the same in memoriam process with a play within a play format: Nitshill Writing Circle return to pay homage and tribute to the life of mentor, Pamela, also a writer who came through being ignored, misunderstood and finally acclaimed. Unfolding in a series of flashbacks through letters, telegrams, readings and conversations, it starts with narrator Maureen Beattie’s presentation and her insights during the play. 

In this life of unfortunate events as she faces ups and downs, from prison to marriage, fame to illness, through her school Our Lady of Perpetual Succour with a splendid Mother Scholastica (also performed by Beattie), to a stint in prison, with a telling Sally Reid as Deidre ‘Double’ Davis. Pamela’s dialogue with her sharp Mama - performed by Louise Jameson - stands out with funny and moving moments, as well as with her faithful friend, dazzling Brazil played by Jessica Hardwick. As the play progresses, altercations and exchanges become more touching and revealing.

Recorded in advance, it seems like the actors perform the scenes in real-time with one another, illustrating the talent of this striking cast, accompanied with well-placed sound effects that bring movements and life in the background, as immediate as in radio. After the premiere, Byrne himself said about the experience “(it) took me back to listening to plays on the wireless as a young man”.

Overthrowing challenges to build a piece restricted by the pandemic and logistical exigences, director Elizabeth Newman mastered her production. The set-up is well-handled, with a mention to sound designer Alisdair Mcgregor, sound recorder Louis Blatherwick, and composer Benjamin Occhipinti whose music fits properly with all the sound effects behind every scene which are judiciously disposed. 

We’d recommend listeners find a comfy place and be immersed and carried away in Pamela’s flamboyant life, full of mishaps and adventures.

**** Four stars 

Reviewed by: Alexia Irene

Tennis Elbow is available to listen to until 8 May here.