Ida Tamson

A lot has to be said for a play that can draw a full crowd into a dark theatre on a rare sunny Saturday afternoon, and credit to the audience who were quick to recognise that this week at A Play, A Pie and A Pint would be unmissable. The play, as the name suggests, centres around the character Ida Tamson or Mrs T who, as the wife of a gang lord in the Glasgow underworld, comes to tell the tale of her missing heroin-addicted daughter to a young journalist. The creation penned by Denise Mina, directed by Morag Fullarton and headlined by Elaine C Smith as Ida is beautifully crafted. The writing perfectly captures the biting, brutally honest and often humorous Glasgow patter which Smith delivers with touching authenticity, conviction and spirit to truly wow the appreciative audience. [Simone Gray]