The Bookies @ Dundee Rep

The world premiere of Mikey Burnett and Joe McCann's The Bookies presents its audience with an unusual setting – a seemingly commonplace Edinburgh bookies. In this particular one, branch manager Pat and employee John spend their shift exchanging stories, cracking outrageous jokes, and occasionally judging the gamblers – specifically Harry, the ever-present addicted and lonesome punter. The action shifts when the betting shop is robbed, and the audience must do some betting of their own to uncover the guilty suspect. Secrets are revealed, drama ensues, and ultimately this everyday betting shop becomes a venue for luckless chaos.

Setting the entirety of the play within a bookies' is a unique and perhaps risky concept, but Burnett and McCann manage to put a fresh spin on a familiar and often mundane environment. The script works wonders to produce some cracking moments of humour that employ a distinctive Scottish wit, adding a level of authenticity to Burnett and McCann’s portrayal of pedestrian Edinburgh life. Ridiculous profanities and hysterical one-liners are delivered perfectly by Ewan Donald, who gives a strong and organic performance as the cleverly developed and hilariously inappropriate Pat. It’s a shame that the other characters seem comparatively underdeveloped – without Pat, the play would lose a chunk of its charm.

This underdevelopment is chiefly down to the pacing of the play, as secrets are revealed to move the story along before character arcs have had a chance to develop. The intent behind such shocking reveals is clear, but the execution leaves audiences a tad scrambled. However, despite some slight issues, the extravagant second half is heaps of fun and full of humour. If you are up for some classic Scottish banter in an impressively familiar setting and aren’t opposed to a wacky ending, you should certainly take a gamble on this fresh and funny play.

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The Bookies, Dundee Rep, until 21 May, £12-£25