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The arrival of a new Kieran Hodgson set is a highly anticipated event for fringe-goers. His previous shows, which focused on cycling, classical music, and Britain’s relationship with Europe, were all nominated for the Edinburgh comedy award. This year, his return to the stage is particularly exciting for those of us in the north of Britain. As a Yorkshireman who has now embraced life in Glasgow, Hodgson addresses Anglo-Scottish relations and his own move to the city in his latest show.
From the very start, this show takes delight in teasing its audiences, both English and Scottish. Hodgson playfully raises concerns about Englishmen imitating Scottish accents. He cleverly undermines national stereotypes while also using them for laughs, such as in a fantastical musical sequence where immigrant Kieran is welcomed to Glasgow by the kitschy music-hall star Harry Lauder. However, Hodgson is aware of the complexity of Scottish identity and skillfully balances his desire to reinvent himself as Scottish with an understanding of the nuanced nature of being “Scottish.”
Despite Hodgson’s dismissal of his earlier shows as a collection of “facts and figures and silly voices from years gone by,” Big in Scotland follows a similar formula and suffers from minor weaknesses. Like his previous show ’75, there is a framing device in this performance (involving a best man’s speech gone wrong) that attempts to create emotional significance. While entertaining, it can feel forced and leads Hodgson to predetermined realizations as the show concludes.
However, our laughter outweighs any concerns about neatly tying up Anglo-Scottish relations in an hour-long narrative. Whether he’s learning Gaelic, unintentionally offending his co-stars with his opinions on Scottish independence, or ordering vegan haggis in a Highland pub, Hodgson offers endless amusing observations about his new countrymen. His ability to provide vocal caricatures and self-deprecating jokes about his struggles to assimilate adds another layer of humor. For a show that is undoubtedly going to be a hit in Edinburgh, you need look no further than Big in Scotland.
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