Girl From The North Country At Edinburgh Playhouse Review

Reviewed by Deborah Mackenzie

This was the most unusual musical theatre that I have seen – normally the songs drive the story; but the way that McPherson has re-imagined Bob Dylan’s legendary songs created a powerful, emotional and at times funny masterpiece.

Set during the great depression; it’s winter 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota a city on the shores of Lake Superior (which is also Bob Dylan’s hometown).

The story is narrated by Dr. Walker, doctor to the Laine family. Nick owns a run-down guest house that the bank is threatening to foreclose on. His wife, Elizabeth suffers from a form of dementia which causes her to have uninhibited outbursts, be childlike and difficult to manage. Their two children, a son Gene in his early twenties, who is a wannabe writer, but is more prone to drinking excessively; and then his girlfriend dumps him to go with a man who has better prospects in life. Their daughter Marianne age nineteen, who they adopted after guests abandoned her as a baby in a bag at the guesthouse.

Marianne is a few months pregnant, and she isn’t telling who the father is. Nick is trying to look after Marianne’s future and is trying to arrange a marriage between her and the local shoe mender, the elderly Mr Perry. This was further complicated as Marianne was a young black girl brought up in a white household.

Nick is having an affair with the recent widowed Mrs Neilsen who is trying to get her inheritance. With dreams of leaving these shores and going to open a new guest house together when the finances are settled.
The Burke’s are also staying at the guest house after he lost his business in the crash. The three of them, his wife, Laura and his son Elias all share a room upstairs. Elias has a learning disability; his mother can understand, but his father finds it difficult and gets frustrated. These feelings are heightened due to them having to come to terms with their loss of fortune.

One night during a particularly bad storm, two men arrive at the guest house seeking refuge for a time. Marlowe, the self-appointed reverend bible salesman and a down on his luck boxer, Joe Scott.  It is with the arrival of these two men that spark a change for everyone in the house.

The musicians were fantastic, performing nineteen Dylan songs including Slow Train, Like a Rolling Stone, Idiot Wind and one of my favourites Jokerman. The use of songs were not used as the story line but rather they were used to portray the inner feelings and emotions.  They also participated in the acting, singing.

The cast were flawless; my favourite had to be Mrs Elizabeth Laine (Frances McNamee) who brought laughter in the darkness of emotions with her outbursts caused by the dementia. But what really made her stand out for me was her powerful voice.

The Girl from the North Country maybe set in 1934, but the social problems, mental health, dementia, money problems and misuse of alcohol still ring true today. It is uncomfortable to watch as people suffer from these afflictions, often hidden away from the feeling of shame. We need to be more accepting, more loving, caring and understanding.

Rate: 4.5/5

The show is on from Tuesday 18th October 2022 until Saturday 22nd October 2022.

Tickets cost from £13.00 (subject to a transaction fee of £3.80)

For more information or to book tickets please telephone the box office on 0333 009 6690 or visit Girl from the North Country Tickets | Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh | ATG Tickets