★★★★
Tucked away in Greenside’s Pickle Studio, Ava (Ailsa Shepherd) awaits to take her audience on a journey through Scottish mythology in her show Fit Ye Sayin’ Quine?. After her Granny passes away unexpectedly, Ava returns from London to visit the cottage where she lived. A tapestry reminds her of the fairytales she grew up on, and she takes us on a journey through Scottish folklore, retelling some of her favourite stories told by her gran.
Ava’s stories are centred around three mythical creatures. Shepherd is a skilled storyteller and her story about the selkies – seal-like creatures who can shed their skins to walk on land – is mesmerising. One selkie fell in love with a human, and after she misplaced her skin, she went to live with him and they built a life together. One day when cleaning the shed, she found it hidden under a pile of boxes, and realised that the man she fell in love with had stolen it to force her to live on land. A few small props are used, but Shepherd paints vivid imagery using spoken word and song, with a little help from lighting effects.
The performance is not sad, but is more of a celebration of her gran and the effect she had on her childhood. As Ava says, her gran would scoff at her if she was sad, so she remains positive, reminiscing happy memories of her gran’s stories. She perfectly captures her character, and lots of her expressions and views reminded me of what my grannies say.
There’s something very comforting about Shepherd’s performance. Whether it’s the use of Scots, or her generally laid back and calm demeanour, Fit Ye Sayin’ Quine? is a little bit of peace in amongst the hustle and bustle of the Fringe. If you’re lucky enough to nab tickets, you’re truly in for a treat.
Fit Ye Sayin’ Quine? will be performed at Greenside @ Riddles Court – Pickle Studio at 2:55pm until 17 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe 2024.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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