Review by Hilary Wardle

Storyteller Robin Cairns cuts a dapper figure as Morningside Malcolm, a man who epitomises the Glasgow-Edinburgh divide. The skilled actor spins an engaging yarn that takes the hapless Malcolm from the safe, Waitrose-filled streets of Edinburgh’s well-heeled Morningside district to the drug-fuelled wastelands of Glasgow (via Edinburgh Castle and a brief stop at Harthill Services on the M8).

The well-observed show raises plenty of smiles in the (mostly local) audience, but seems to be slightly unsure of what it’s trying to be. Is it stand-up comedy, a one man play, am-dram or creative performance art? At times this lack of identity leaves the show feeling a bit odd and exposed, but Robin is an excellent actor andalthough certain sections feel slightly baffling, his ability to quickly slip between characters and accents usually resolves the confusion.

The narrative jumps around quite a lot, but the bulk of the action follows events at a christening in Glasgow. The child being christened is Malcolm’s grandson, the product of a liaison between his well-to-do daughter and a young Glaswegian man called Brian, who Robin portrays using an accent so nasal and Ned-like you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve wandered on to the set of Limmy’s Show.

Brian’s father is a Glasgow gangster who’s heavily involved in the ice cream van drugs trade, although it takes a while for all these facts to become clear. This gangster is responsible for pinching an historic cannon from Edinburgh Castle, framing Malcolm in the process. Other characters include Malcolm’s Women’s Institute-bothering, Morningside wife and a chap called Crawford who is tasked with explaining most of the key plot points.

If you’ve lived in Edinburgh, the (largely) good natured rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh is a comforting, reliable and thoroughly entertaining topic. If you’re familiar with the ideas, locations and accents involved, then The Weegies Have Stolen The One O’ Clock Gun is a great way to spend an hour, with the in-jokes giving it a friendly, conspiratorial feel.

Most importantly, Robin spreads the good-natured digs about each town’s foibles around even-handedly, meaning Edinburghers and Weegies alike will feel entertained rather than victimised. Having said that, it might be worth frisking the Glaswegians on their way out of the venue. After all, if they’ll pinch an iconic cannon, who knows what they might be tempted to try and smuggle out of the pub?

Review date: 15 Aug 2013
Reviewed by: Hilary Wardle