"Whisky Galore" written by Compton Mackenzie, adapted for stage by Philip Goulding.

Riverside Drama Company

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

I've seen "Whisky Galore" quite a few years' ago but this stage adaptation is very different to the version I remember!

It's 1955 and the Pallas Players, an all-female theatre company, are putting on a play: "Whisky Galore".

They transport us back to 1943 on the Scottish islands of Great and Little Todday, where the whisky supply has dried up because of the war, leaving tensions running high. Relief seems to be at hand when a ship carrying 50,000 bottles of whisky is wrecked just offshore. Then it's every thirsty man for himself as the islanders try to rescue as many bottles as possible before stuffy Captain Waggett of the Home Guard can put a stop to their fun.

Jonathan Greaves plays Captain Paul Waggett who retired to Great Todday after a career in accountancy in London, and rents the shooting rights on the two islands. Jonathan also plays the Chief Officer on The Cabinet Minister.

Moya Magee plays The Biffer who is a fisherman who likes the sound of his own voice. Are you wondering how he got the nickname "The Biffer"? Well it is from his previous role as a boxer. Moya also plays Constable Macrae who is lazy and very corruptible.

Lizzie Norris plays several parts in this production including Peggy Macroon, daughter of Joseph Macroon. Peggy runs the Little Todday Post Office and is hoping to marry Fred Odd as soon as possible. Lizzie also plays Drooby, who greatly admires The Biffer. She also plays George Campbell, the headmaster at Garryboo, who is dominated by his mother. And she also plays Mr Brown, who is actually in disguise and is really Lieutenant Boggust. She also has another special role!

Diana Edwards plays Dolly Waggett, the wife of her over-bearing husband Paul. She also plays Norman Macleod, the young schoolmaster of Watasett, a confirmed bachelor. Diana also plays Duncan Macroon who is a poet, but relies on the whisky to produce a good poem.

Liz Turner plays Donald MacKechnie, the captain of The Island Queen, bringing essential supplies to the islanders. Liz also plays Dr Maclaren, who enjoys fine wine, good food and a wee dram every now and again. She also plays Mrs Campbell, an old woman with an icy stare. Lastly, Liz plays Tom Ferguson, the exciseman.

John Sully plays Fred Odd. He’s always charming and despite the fact he’s from South of the Scottish border, the islanders like him. Fred is hoping for the go ahead to marry but his religious differences currently form a barrier to her father. John also plays Captain Headley Faversham from the West Country. He’s the captain of the stricken ship The Cabinet Minister. John also plays Major Quiblick who just happens to be extremely posh but to the islanders he is just a clown.

Donna Osmond plays Catriona Macleod, the finest cook on Little Todday. She’s feisty and confident. She also plays Father Macalister, the priest who enjoys reading pulp Western novels. And finally, also Roderick Macrurie, the owner of the Snorvig Hotel and bar.

Jane Harris plays Annag MacRurie. She is Roderick’s daughter and therefore helps to run the hotel reception and bar. She also plays Joseph Macroon, who runs the Post Office on Little Todday. Joseph is Peggy's father and might take some persuasion to allow her to marry her sweetheart.

Directed by Celia Billau, who also acts as the narrator. There is so much more comedy in this adaptation, and Celia has created a presentation which is quite like "The Play That Goes Wrong" in parts, with doorbells announced seconds before the bell actually rings. There are several breaking of the fourth wall moments, parts of one previous character's facial attachments remaining on the current character, which is all great fun, and many more humorous sections, some including rowing boats, and some not. Confused? Well, it'll all make sense if you come and see it....honestly!

Some of the Scottish accents do a bit of roamin' in the gloamin, which also adds to the fun, but I loved Liz's accent, which was spot on, as was Lizzie's. The cast all create a feel of the 1940's suaveness, but also manage to add some topical joviality with an insertion of a certain sports reporter, who should be back in his job this weekend!

Lighting Design is by Dave Martin and Rob Osmond and the Sound Design is by Keith Salway, who was also responsible for the wonderful projections, including one scene where the ship disappears within a blink, again giving a feel of the old black and white films of that era. The sound effects were timed to perfection and the lighting was spot on.

The set design by Bob Baron and the Company, was minimal, but with an adaptation as good as this one, you need no flashy sets, the projections saw to that.

The costumes, sourced by Mina Holtom, Jane Whyatt and the company, for all concerned were fantastic, as were the wigs and facial attachments.

When I first saw in the programme that there were just nine actors playing all the parts, I had thought that I might get confused with all of the characters, but no, I didn't at all, mainly due to the wonderful costumes, wigs etc.

Tonight was very well attended and by a really appreciative audience, but you only have one more chance to view this classy comic piece of theatre.

"Whisky Galore" is on until Saturday 18 March.