27/04/2025
See Thru Rocks The Boat Baby!
It is over a decade since this Glass-based amateur drama group was first established. For those ignoramuses who may never have heard of Glass, it’s that remote part of Aberdeenshire, on the Moray border, where the roads are blocked with sna ilka winter.
Although the group’s performances have taken place, across the years, in such grand settings as the grounds of Huntly Castle and the Aberdeen Arts Centre, the latest show returns to the usual location of the Community Association Hall. Where could be better? You don’t get an intermission raffle at the Granite City’s HM or even the London Palladium. However, the Hall is now also grand; a major refurbishment having recently been completed.
The fact that the renovations and extension included a new large car parking area proved extremely fortunate, as that space was jam-packed on the first night (Thursday 24 April). The blocks of newly-installed solar panels adjoining the car park also hopefully helped power the impressive sound and light display that accompanies every performance. See Thru benefits from an impressive technical team.
Entitled “All at Sea”, this most-recent treading of the boards, whilst incorporating some new faces, includes many of the staunch countenances which have become so well-kent, and so very popular, among See Thru’s loyal audiences. Indeed, several have only to step on stage for waves of cheers and laughter to wash over the assembled throng. (Such a shame that ill health prevented two of the stalwarts from appearing this time.)
As ever, the cast displayed levels of confidence well above what one might expect from an ‘amateur’ group. That such assurance is backed by striking talent, particularly among those tasked with song and dance routines (almost the whole cast), is really notable and remarkable.
The script, written by a small coterie of cast members, centres around the ‘Buckie Lugger’ (get it?) cruise vessel as it makes its way along the coast of north-east Scotland. The low standard of sea-going competence displayed by ship crew members can probably be explained by what must be poor profit margins and wages– after all, the crew significantly outnumbers the passengers and the main course at dinner, consisting of Arbroath Smokies, probably doesn’t attract high-end holidaymakers more used to Cunard or Saga luxury. Spoiler alert – the passengers may not have considered themselves particularly lucky b’s as the cruise coped with stormy incidents. And few in the audience will have predicted the last-minute twist in the tail with regard to a missing co**se.
In keeping with tradition, the ‘staging’ of the show was excellent, from costumes to choreography, props to set, and front-of-house to the opening scene-setting video. That everything was accompanied by a duo of professional musicians filled the show’s sails. It all made for a rollicking farce, which kept the audience entertained and amused from start to finish, with not a hint of mal de mer. One presumes, though, that See Thru Productions had the latter in mind, since programmes were handed out in sick bags.
Speaking of the programme, it contains a touching reference to the fact that this is the first production since the tragic passing, in 2023, of See Thru’s founder and director; Alison Sellar. There is no doubt that she would have been very proud of what the cast and crew have achieved.
Probably the biggest laugh of the first night resulted from what might best be described as a facial hair failing. If the production team know what is good for them, they should ensure it occurs every performance.
Perhaps one of the greatest joys of this type of drama group is that it contains so many ‘locals’ and See Thru audiences, the majority also being ‘native’, love seeing people they know displaying previously-unseen strengths or just plain being silly. This is an element that professional thespians can simply never hope to capture. Alongside this, it is an absolute delight to witness those on stage thoroughly enjoying every minute, too, and all who left Glass Hall at the end of the evening will have been saying to themselves ‘What a bloody good night.”
A final reflection on the cruise – one couldn’t help hoping there was a midwife onboard.
In a world which can all-too-often seem pretty miserable these days, See Thru plays a vital role in the community, bringing many smiles to many people’s faces.
What was it they claimed about the Titanic? Unsinkable? This drama group brushes aside icebergs. See Thru Productions truly is unsinkable.
A.C. Ritic
