Review: Merry Crisis – St Salvadors Episcopal Church

The strapline of writer Cosette Bolt’s Merry Crisis is ‘A Comedy of Carols’, and that’s precisely what you get. In fact, if you don’t have time to make it to, or take part in, a Christmas Carol concert this year, a trip to Merry Crisis should tick the box.

A one-act play following one family’s Christmas Eve and the morning after, the action is split into short scenes, bookended by carol singers swooping through the church in varying formations proclaiming ‘Once in Royal David’s City,’ harking to herald angels, or wishing everyone a merry little Christmas.

The drama is friendly stuff, akin to a sitcom Christmas special, with the characters fulfilling familiar roles. There’s student George (Fionn Cameron) returning home, dirty washing in their bag, and immediately subject to Grandma Peggy’s (Helen Schofield) interrogations of his romantic status. Meanwhile, his loving mum, Kirsty (Diane Waugh), is busy negotiating Christmas food-making, and a fraying relationship with her work-obsessed partner Alistair (Dave Blackie). Is the breaking of a beloved Christmas ornament a bad omen, or a lesson in the value of loving imperfection? Time, well 45 minutes, will tell.

“The strapline of writer Cosette Bolt’s Merry Crisis is ‘A Comedy of Carols’, and that’s precisely what you get.”

Between Bolt’s believable, natural dialogue, and impressively understated performances for an amateur cast, Merry Crisis is certainly an interesting, and rewarding drama. Cameron and Mitch Gardiner have the banter typical of many a brother and sister, whilst Schofield and an extroverted Wag delight in the grand-parental right to quiz everyone on everything whilst taking no responsibility for the fall-out.

There’s plenty of genuine, unforced comedy to laugh at throughout, the natural product of a multi-generational get-together. Legs are pulled, egos are punctured and plans come unstuck.

**Production shots from Merry Crisis – click to enlarge and for image details.**

Simultaneously, the more sombre thread of drama concerning Waugh and Blackie’s troubled relationship prevents things from being too frivolous. Their mismatch of well-meant intentions leads to plenty of friction, and the serious conversations that many a long-term couple will find very familiar.

“There’s plenty of genuine, unforced comedy to laugh at throughout…”

That said, whilst Bolt’s intention to stitch the show together with carols is clever, there’s more scope for integrating song and drama than is ultimately realised. Fewer complete renditions, and more selective choice of verses, and perhaps arrangements too, would allow story and music to enter a deeper, more provocative conversation.

Nevertheless, Merry Crisis is a complete and highly enjoyable play, which avoids tying everything up in an overneat bow by the end. Thoughtful, tuneful and incredibly friendly – and done in under an hour – this is a fine wee addition to Edinburgh’s Christmas theatre offerings this year.

Featured Image: The Cast of Merry Crisis – all images from The Forth Act on Facebook