The musical, devised and written by Charles Barron, The Garidge Theatre Company and Mitchell School of Drama, with music and lyrics by Ashley Forbes, was performed as part of the Garioch Theatre Festival which comes to an end next Sunday (July 6).
The poignant story of Lottie Noble MacDonald unfolds in a medley of humour that includes satire, outrageous comedy - caricature and slapstick, while, at the same time, portraying the deadly serious, pungent reality of the poorhouse at around the turn of the century through an outstanding and captivating acting performance. The show was interlaced with lively and engaging song and dance.

The simple, yet beautiful set and the fabulous costumes added credence to a tale devised through the discovery and subsequent study of poorhouse and other records which tracked Lottie's life, among others, until her untimely death at 30 years of age.

A living relative of Lottie Noble, great-great niece, Joanna Godfrey, had travelled up from her home in Essex to see the performance.
Director, Rhona Mitchell said: "Joanna met us at the beginning before the show. Afterwards she was really emotional. We wanted to make sure she really enjoyed it because it was so personal."

Explaining how the play developed, Rosalind Watt, who plays Lottie, said: "When we started improvising, we changed the script to suit me more and then I found the part easier. It is the biggest part I have ever played, and my first serious role."

Liz Cork, who designed the costumes, spoke emotionally about the performance: "I found it really moving – I don't know if it is because I've been working with the children, but I feel really moved.

"I started on the costumes four months ago. We are all very much in connection with Rhona - she has strong ideas. We started with a meeting, then I came up with the designs after doing a lot of research into the period."

Lucy Weir, who plays Cook's Assistant, said: "I loved the costumes; they stuck oats on and spray painted the costumes so they were a bit disgusting!"

Through hope and hopelessness, arrogance and humility, the play conveys the shifting sands of humanity to perfection.

A member of the audience, Mary Haxton of Aberdeen enjoyed the performance very much and expressed her views: "How do you make a play about something like this? I thought it was excellent. You would assume that putting on a play about a poorhouse would be depressing. You got caught up in the feeling of hope for a better life and although the story was sad, there was a lot of mischief and humour.

"The young people really did an absolutely brilliant job and it was interesting to see the museum afterwards – it had more impact for me – the fact that Lottie had been a real person. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

"I thought the direction was quite superb. The young cast filled it with colour - the costumes were wonderful and I especially enjoyed the burlesque girls."

There will be a further opportunity to see the show in Aberdeen as part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival on August 6, 7 and 8.