Billy Connolly and Alasdair Gray are both icons of contemporary Scotland. A photograph shows them meeting one night in Glasgow – what did they talk about? The premise of Alan Bissett’s new show is simple and gives the author/performer the space to show his admiration, occasionally getting lost in hagiography at the expense of a meaningful story.
The bulk of the show sees Bissett alternating between impressions of the titular men. He positions Connolly as the celebrity, recounting his life story to a room of Hollywood peers on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Gray, in contrast, is the misunderstood outcast (peculiarly, he is addressing an unknown audience). Bissett draws light comparisons between the two men and nicely builds anticipation for a meeting that we know is coming. However, when he steps out of character and speaks directly to the audience as himself, he over-explains the themes slightly, which limits the potential for us to take our own meaning.
Bissett is clearly enamoured with these two, as is much of the audience, and he peppers the show with direct references to their work. Occasionally these are fully earned, but often they feel like easy shortcuts to audience connection and goodwill. At the end of the day, despite the strain to say something new, we are left with a fitting tribute to two legends.
When Billy Met Alasdair, Scottish Storytelling Centre, until 23 Aug (not 13, 14, 20, 21), 8.30pm