Desperate Fishwives

Review by Roddy Phillips
Press and Journal
8 March 2007

DESPERATE FISHWIVES PROVES A BRILLIANT CATCH

There was a time when the comedians calling themselves the Flying Pigs performed in the smaller, less grandiose venues of Aberdeen.

In the early days of the performers' career they found time for humble critics and would of occasion even write my review for me and print it in the programme.

Now of course the Flying Pigs are in a different orbit and packing out HM Theatre to the ceiling every night until Saturday this week and I have to write my own review of their fabulously funny, outstanding show Desperate Fishwives.

Still it's the least I can do in exchange for a fantastic laugh.

I've said this before but it seems even truer now - the Pigs have grown into the realms of HMT, they are the inheritors of Scotland the What, in more ways than one since John Hardie, one of the principal Pigs, is Buff Hardie's son.

Now I've made the comparison you'll know what the Flying Pigs are all about.

Basically about helping North-east folk laugh at themselves.

In a sense last night?s audience were onstage in the many, colourful, daft and couthy characters written mainly by Greg Gordon.

Poor Torry gets a ribbing, as usual, but then so does Milltimber. Even the programme is a hoot.

Desperate Fishwives can't be recommended enough but if you want a ticket you'll have to move fast.

The show runs until Saturday and should not be missed.

Review by Sonja Rasmussen
Evening Express
8 March 2007

FLYING PIGS KEEP THE LAUGHS COMING

Laughs were flying last night, as the Pigs played their first night at His Majesty's Theatre to a sell-out crowd.

This, the group's 10th show, sees them back at HMT for the second time in as many years, playing to full houses for five nights.

Quite a jump from their humble beginnings, when in 1998, their first show Last Tango in Powis played two nights at the Lemon Tree.

Now, they're exactly where they were headed, with a show which has snowballed in popularity but remains the same blend of irreverent songs, skits and hilarious characters guaranteed to have you in stitches.

Often likened to Scotland The What? for a new generation, the group certainly comes from the same comedy stable.

John Hardie (yes, Buff's son) and Craig Pike share some of the show's funniest moments on a pink park bench, with the musings of instantly familiar old boys Archie and Davie.

Meanwhile Susan Gordon and Craig Pike take their well-loved characters Mither and Faither on a coach to Paris - accompanied by a troublesome prostrate and a pair of unwanted friends.

With Greg Gordon's Andy, the jobsworth jannie, sharing the laughs with Craig Pike at the council planning department lamenting the building of the Kepplestone flats, Desperate Fishwives goes where most of us fear to tread - and emerges laughing.

If you have a ticket - hold on to it tightly. As ever, you'll love every hilarious minute.

The show runs until Saturday.