Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t love Billy Connolly? This Edinburgh venue was certainly crammed full of those who do. Our performer Gary McNair, who somewhat resembled Billy, reminded us all just how much. But it is the people of Scotland who are the stars of this show. With their personal Billy stories being told in their own words.
Gary skipped between mic’s and voices recounting the various angles spilled including Billy’s terrible childhood, his days at the shipyard, his folk music career and his Parkinson’s diagnosis. It seems everyone was invested. People spoke mostly with fondness and admiration, occasionally with envy and very often with a familiar Glasgow style humour.
Billy was described as luminous, a man of the people, ‘he never changed his accent’ ‘he never forgot where he came from’. One contributor said he would go anywhere with him if he asked, even a tory conference! Another got distracted by flumps before comparing him to a snow leopard. Almost everyone feels like they know Billy – he gets told that all the time.
If you think you couldn’t love Billy any more than you already do then it’s possible this show will change your mind. Gary’s appreciation itself is infectious, Scotland’s love affair is real. One contributor dared to mention the day coming that every Scot fears. But one phrase used by many, summed it up for all ...
‘The Big Yin … He’s wan o’ us’.
Edinburgh Fringe 2024 edfestmag.com
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