THE MOIRA MONOLOGUES
Meet Moira Bell, cleaner, single mother, and the hardest woman in Falkirk. Whether defending her wee dog Pepe from the local rottweiler, attempting to seduce a teacher, or belting out Diana Ross for the Scotia karaoke night, Moira is hilarious, hypnotic, frightening and heart-warming company.
Based on the stories and characters Alan encountered growing up in the Hallglen area of Falkirk, where The Moira Monologues first premiered, Moira, her long-suffering pal Babs, her neighbour (Bawface), her laddies (they’re gid laddies, but they canny take their hash) and her wee dug Pepe, have left audiences all over the country weak with laughter.
The Moira Monologues was first performed at the Mitchell Library Theatre as part of the Aye Write! Festival in March 2009. Directed by Sacha Kyle
WHAT THEY SAID
“**** This is brilliant stuff, an exhilaratingly fresh take on the whole business of class and culture in Scotland. It’s also so funny that some in the audience were literally shouting with laughter.” – The Scotsman (full review here)
“Moira Bell is a legend. A hilarious, but subtly smart work that takes society slowly apart” – **** – The Skinny
“**** Bissett writes with eagle-eyed vim and not a word is wasted. His Moira lurches from a foul-mouthed Rottweiler who could give Malcolm Tucker a run for his money to maudlin softie in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette.
Directed by Sacha Kyle.
WINNER: FRINGE FIRST 2017
SHORTLIST: Best New Play at Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) 2018
She’s back! Straight-talking single mum Moira Bell returns in a new installment of Alan Bissett’s much-loved one-woman show. Moira’s a gran now, but still telling hilarious home-truths about dating, her estranged sister, cleaning posh folk’s hooses, the return of her ex Billy, and Brexit.
photo: Stephanie Gibson
“A near-perfect series of new monologues, both howlingly funny and unnervingly sharp and poetic.” – 5***** The Scotsman
“Such a riot my ears popped a couple of times from the row behind me shouting with laughter.” 5***** The National
“Welcome back, Moira. We missed you.” – 5***** Broadway Baby
“Great hilarity, simple truths and some profound moments too: it’s no wonder Moira has such a loyal following.” – 4**** The List
