Oor Wullie, one of Scotland's most beloved comic strip characters, is 84 years young in 2020. To celebrate his 80th birthday - along with the Big Bucket Trail that took place in 2019 - Selladoor Worldwide have teamed with DC Thomson Media once again to bring about a stage musical of Scotland's favourite son. Some will remember that Selladoor were responsible for the stage musical of The Broons in 2016. They're also involved in the upcoming Dennis and Gnasher the Musical - they're getting a lot of work with DC Thomson, that's for sure!
I was lucky enough to be able to see the musical during the Glasgow leg of the tour - on Burns Night of all nights! What did I think? Honestly, I fairly enjoyed myself with it, I had a grin on me the whole way through the show, and I liked it enough to go out and get tickets for a later date of the tour. But first, what's the show about?
There's a bit of a prologue at first, which talks about the character of Wullie, and his famous bucket... which is now missing. The show opens properly with us following young Wahid - Eklovey Kashyap - who is a second generation Asian Scot. His parents are originally from Pakistan, though Wahid himself was born in Greenock. We follow him on his day at school, and the uncomfortable racist interactions he tends to have with people in his local area, and from school bullies. (The common name used for him is Bawheid. Imaginative, no?) As Wahid puts it: "I might be from here, but I don't belong here."
On having his lunch in the library, Wahid interacts with the librarian, Dudley - George Drennan - who offers him an Oor Wullie annual to cheer him up. Of course, he needs to read the book in the right way, and the infamous bucket is presented to us. Sitting on the edge, Wahid opens the book... and then promptly shuts it, unable to understand the strong Scots that the strip is written in. Dudley encourages the boy to try again that night at home.
Wahid does, but still finds it difficult and grows irritated. He finds his inability to understand the comic more proof of how he doesn't fit in and that if Wullie is Scotland's favourite son, it means that his being Scottish means very little in the long run. He throws the book to the side, and goes to get his dinner.
On his return to his room? He finds Wullie - Martin Quinn - himself. He's looking for his bucket, and he needs Wahid's help.
The musical plays up a juxtaposition between the realities of the contemporary Scotland that Wahid lives in, compared to the frankly idealised Auchenshoogle that Wullie hails from. The relative isolation that Wahid experiences in comparison to how Wullie is, well, a'body's Wullie - there's no one who doesn't know him.
It's this latter part that's important, as it begins to show Wahid how he does fit in. When other members of Wullie's gang - Soapy Souter, Fat Boab, and Wee Eck - appear in the real world and ask Wahid if he's Scottish, Wullie answers them quicky: "'Course he is. Wahid is Scottish an' mair." It's a sense of belonging that Wahid has rarely had, and it's easy to see why Wullie becomes his best friend so very quickly.
It has to be said that the cast play their parts to a tee. Kashyap's Wahid is earnest and amiable, fast to warm to, and someone who you want to see a lot of good things happen for. He plays fantastic off of Quinn's Wullie who is likely the highlight of the show. Hair spiked punkishly, and playing the role with a good deal of humour, Wullie is the sort of child we all wanted to be friends with when we were younger, and that was always ready for an adventure and a good laugh.
The score is all original - with an occasional homage to other popular songs - and ranges a few different types of sounds from contemporary pop, Scottish, and even bangra at one point. My personal favourite would be the one lead by Primrose Patteron - Leah Byrne - called "Kick It in the Face". Said song is about facing the world head on when it presents problems to you, and it has a strong vibe akin to Revolting Children from Matilda: the Musical. Another highlight would be Wullie's awfy moving wee ode to his missing bucket: Help Ma Boab! Considering this is only a wee production that will tour Scotland, I am doubtful as to whether there will be a cast recording. I would love one to materialise.
Overall? I would definitely say that Oor Wullie the Musical is a fantastic way to spend a night - or afternoon if you hit a matinee - and would encourage anyone to try to get tickets for the rest of the tour. I know I'm looking forward to seeing it again!
Maybe we'll get lucky and this will find it's way to becoming a regular fixture of pantomime season in Scotland, but if not, I'm glad I spent time with Wahid, Wullie and the gang. There's a charm to it all that made me smile so hard, and I will never be upset with that.
Oor Wullie is touring till 11th March, 2020. Dates and venues can be found here.
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