Spitfire Grill is a musical set in small town America. It starts with a rousing opening number as Percy (Nicola Rowley) arrives in town after serving five years in prison. The sheriff, Joe (Derek McGhie), secures her a job at the only diner in town - The Spitfire Grill, owned by Hannah (Rosemary Amoani). The townsfolk take an instant dislike to the new girl and local gossip Effy (Sam Blaney) sets about informing everyone of her dodgy background.

When Hannah hurts her hip and can no longer work, Percy is joined in the grill by Shelby (Stephanie Callow), the shy and timid wife of Hannah's nephew Caleb (Gerry Harkins). Caleb clearly has control over his wife and doesn't like her taking the new job or her new colleague Percy. He sets about finding more about her conviction.

As Percy and Shelby become friends, it transpires that Hannah's son went missing in action during the Vietnam war. After this, she put the diner on the market and had been looking to sell for 10 years. The girls hatch a plan to raffle the diner. As the letters come flooding in, the town begins to change, as do the main characters. Percy begins meeting a mysterious visitor in the woods.

Minimal scenery works well to convey the town diner. Careful lighting shows transitions between night and day, and changes in mood. Music is superbly played, and the use of harmonica and accordion adds to the American country feel. Overall, Spitfire Grill is a well-written and directed musical, with the cast all offering strong acting performances. The songs are not that memorable, but sung well, and serve to develop the storyline and characters.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Rosemary Amoni - Hannah. Sam Blaney - Effy. Stephanie Callow - Shelby. Gerry Harkins - Caleb. Derek McGhie - Joe. Onur Orkut - The Visitor. Nicole Rowley - Percy.

Musician Credits: (alpha order): Keyboards - Hilary Brooks. Guitar / Mandolin - Peter Cooke. Double Bass - Christine Cooper. Violin - Heather Kennedy. Accordion - Onur Orkut.

Company Credits: Writer - uncredited. Director - Sally Rapier. Musical Director - Hilary Brooks. Set/Costume Designers - Jenny Gamble & Martin Mallorie. Lighting Designer - Graham Gardner. Sound Designer - Malcolm Frew. Vocal Coach - Jean Sangster. Dialect Work - Hilary Jones & Bill Wright. Assistant Musical Director - Onur Orkut. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - uncredited. Company - Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

END

(c) Helen Johnson 2008

reviewed Saturday 16 August 08 / Musical Theatre @ George Square, Edinburgh

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com