2009 – His Majesty’s Theatre

‘Hilarious’

– Evening Express

‘An absolute must for anyone in need of a good laugh’

– Press & Journal

After the success of Desperate Fishwives in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, in 2007, we returned to HMT with a new show in June 2009, for a slightly mind-boggling two week run.

Punter – “I’m coming to see your show!”

Us –          “Great! Can you bring 10,000 friends?”

As if that challenge wasn’t enough, our directors, John and Gayle, (demonstrating that in comedy, timing is everything) chose opening night to expect the arrival of their first born. Happily, their daughter showed the team great consideration when she turned up just a little bit early, (not something that could ever be said about her father) and while her mum took notes, slept soundly through the dress rehearsal. Everyone’s a critic.

How to Look Good Glaikit previewed at Montrose Townhall, before bedding in at HMT from 18th until 27th June.

Highlights included the first stage appearance by the Ruaridh Duguid, telephoning the Caledonia Bank, childcare advice from Minker TV Gold and Moray’s moving tribute to the sadly defunct Bon Accord Baths.

A live recording of ‘How To Look Good Glaikit” is available on CD from the Flying Pig Shoppie.

Gallery

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Photographs by Graham Read of PhotoGFX Media.

Cast
John Hardie
Moray Barber
Craig Pike
Susan Gordon
Steve Rance
Elaine Clark
Greg Gordon
And
Scott Christie as Mr Wyzorski

Script
Greg Gordon
Simon Fogiel
Lyrics
John Hardie
Moray Barber

Directed by
John Hardie
Musical Arrangements
Steve Rance

Sponsors
Sparrows Offshore

Ledingham Chalmers
KR Steel Ltd
Esslemonts
Gavin Bain and Co
The Marcliffe Hotel
CMS Cameron MCKenna

What the Papers Said

Evening Express 19/6/04

Aberdeen comedy group The Flying Pigs make a habit of ruffling feathers among the good and righteous of our fair city. How to Look Good Glaikit flies in the face of the local institutions we hold dear – Aberdeen City Council, Seaton Bowling Club, Robbie Shepherd and even the Evening Express. All come in for a bit of stick from the irreverent laughter-makers who started out in the student show and who have successfully followed in the footsteps of Scotland The What? Writer Greg Gordon pulls out the stops introducing some hilarious and colourful new characters along with old favourites. With some great lines for Archie and Davie, the liar, and Mither and Faither, and some brilliant new songs for the Buckie Drifters and Hlton John, the show is packed with belly laughs that left this first night audience in stitches.

The HMT website also allows punters to post their own reviews and that’s where, if you click on the ‘reviews’ tab you’ll see we got this notice.

Previous show: Desperate Fishwives – 2007

Next show: The Silence of the Bams – 2011

2002 – Aberdeen Arts Centre

“Every line delivered with precision by a confident and talented cast.”

– Evening Express

“I was sore from laughing at half time!”

—David Morrice

Back in the Arts Centre, this time for a 4 night run, we got some unexpected free publicity when the local press used our title to report on plans to build a football stadium to the west of the city. That didna harm oor ticket sales. And so the first Flying Pig audience to break 1000 discovered the fate of Wee Alickie, the defunct Green Final’s cartoon paperboy, saw Robbie Shepherd’s efforts as a roving reporter and met Billy and Dougie; ex-trawlermen turned Air Stewards.

Cast
John Hardie
Elaine Johnston
Oli Knox
Craig Pike
Steve Rance
Susan Webster
And Introducing
Greg Gordon

Script
Greg Gordon
Andrew Brebner

Lyrics
Andrew Brebner
John Hardie

Directed by
John Hardie

Musical Arrangements
Steve Rance

What the Papers Said

Aberdeen Press & Journal 03/10/02

Flying Pig Productions, the North-east’s very own kings and queens of comedy have gone all multi-media in their new show at Aberdeen Arts Centre, and with hilarious results. Led by John Hardie, Craig Pike and Susan Webster, the Flying Pigs have rightly earned an excellent reputation for ringing laughs from homegrown targets. Their latest show, The Madness of Kingswells must be their best yet. Written by the brilliant Greg Gordon and Andrew Brebner, the show successfully develops some familiar favourite characters and takes them far beyond our comedy expectations. While the new characters just seem to get better and better. Expertly produced and performed, the Madness of Kingswells really does guarantee a hilarious night out.

Aberdeen Evening Express 03/10/02

I must confess to being a Flying Pigs fan – along with, I suspect, most of this first night audience. Often likened to Scotland The What?, the self-styled humour of these Student Show stars bears a passing resemblance to their predecessors. However, with four years’  experience now behind them, the group is making an impact all of their own. The Madness of Kingswells transports the comics from The Lemon Tree to Aberdeen Arts Centre, greatly increasing the staging potential, which director John Hardie oversees with his usual imaginative flair. Lighting and slide shows aside, the comedy has also moved up a gear, with writers Greg Gordon and Andrew Brebner turning in some of the group’s funniest moments yet, and every line delivered with precision by a confident and talented cast. It’s as much fun as any theatre-goer can handle.

Previous show: Prime Cuts – 2001

Next show: The Hunchback of Walker Dam – 2004

Lemon Tree Studio – 2001

“15% of it was very funny. The other 85% was f@*#!ng hilarious!”

—Paul Hughson

Having refined our schtick there were no major changes for the fourth production, aside from saying farewell to Shirley and welcoming new performer Laura Sinclair. We put Robbie Shepherd in Stars in their Eyes, had PC Bobby Constable take the rap for Grampian Police, saw Davie phone a friend and revealed the hidden truth about Genghis Khan and the actor Peter Mayhew.

Cast
John Hardie
Oli Knox
Craig Pike
Steve Rance
Laura Sinclair
Susan Webster
With
Andrew Brebner
Greg Gordon

Written by
Andrew Brebner
Greg Gordon
Additional Material
Simon Fogiel

Directed by
John Hardie

Previous show: A Clockwork Sporran – 2000

Next Show: Prime Cuts – 2001

Native Aberdonian,  original Pig, and the only one among us with an entry in the IMDB, Scotty has been in London for the past ten years seeking fame and fortune. If, as you read this, you find yourself wondering ‘Scotty who?’, then, obviously, he’s still looking.

Highlights of his career so far include beating up ex-Hobbit Elijah Wood in Green Street, an online MacDonalds advert that didn’t involve burgers and acting as a Guinness World Records adjudicator (where he received more TV coverage than he’s ever had as an actor). But Scott’s greatest role was Wee Alickie at Pittodrie, where he became a cult figure after being hit with a Bovril by Rangers fans.

Scott is delighted that things have taken off for his Pig pals and hopes they remember him in the future, as he still has those backstage photos from the first show, which he’s sure the P&J would be VERY interested in.