By Joy Watters at Perth Theatre

JIM CARTWRIGHT’S bleak black comedy may now be 15 years old but it chimes with the current celebrity culture in which ordinary people clutch at stardom in talent shows.

Little Voice, however, shows a young woman who would rather die than strut the stage, scarcely even speaking or leaving the security of her bedroom.

Her drunken mother and greedy agent boyfriend have other thoughts, and exploit LV’s amazing ability to mimic the great divas, from Garland to Bassey.

This touring production, which opened at Perth at the weekend, brings together Elaine C. Smith and Andy Gray, who previously collaborated in Cartwright’s Two.

Little Voice is a different kettle of fish, with characters ranging from monstrous to innocents, and a comic rhythm to the script.

Little Voice was conceived as a showcase for actress Jane Horrocks’ vocal talents and in this production Debbie Salomon is absolutely spot on—she can sing and mimic the greats perfectly.

The central scene of the play, where a barely-recognisable LV delivers the classic numbers in a show-stopping medley, is an absolute stunner.

Salomon also turns in a beautiful performance as the almost-mute LV, shy, unhappy, lost in the past with her records and memories of her father.

Jim Webster Stewart plays her kind, shy boyfriend with just the right touch. There are like babes in the wood fighting against the evil witch and wizard of LV’s mum Mari and her foul boyfriend Ray.

This production by Michael Harrison has a west-coast Scots setting and contrasts the loudness of Mari and Ray with the young couple.

At Perth, there really seemed no need for the characters to be miked up and Smith’s portrayal of the coarse chuckling Mari is excessive in volume.

In creating Mari, it is Smith the comedienne that it is to the fore rather than Smith the actress. Mari drinks and jokes her way through life, confusing sex with love.

She is a grotesque, using and exploiting her own daughter and only pal, and there is the odd flash of vulnerability. Smith is perhaps offering an audience a good laugh at the expense of the full range of the role.

Andy Gray goes for the broad approach to begin with but really gets into the role as he bullies LV, physically and mentally.

Staging and lighting really bring out the underlying themes.

Little Voice is at Perth until March 29 and also tours to Dundee Rep, Adam Smith, Kirkcaldy, and the MacRobert, Stirling.