Review: Strangers in the Night | A Play, A Pie and A Pint
- Lisa in the theatre
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
The final play in A Play, A Pie and A Pint's 2025 autumn season is Strangers in the Night by Alan Muir, directed by Cora Bissett. Strangers in the Night plays at Glasgow’s Òran Mór from Monday 17 - Saturday 22 November. Read my review below.
Strangers in the Night | A Play, A Pie and A Pint ★★★★☆
Review: 18 November 2025, Òran Mór, Glasgow
Jimmy (William MacBain) and May (Juliet Cadzow) are neighbours in a retirement village who, lonely and failing in health, find comfort in swapping tales about their younger adventures over a dram of whisky. They both live in fear of being transferred to a dreaded care home, and spend their evenings reminiscing about better times.
May has fond memories of meeting Frank Sinatra at his show at Ibrox stadium in 1990, and Jimmy of when it snowed indoors at the Locarno dance hall on Sauchiehall Street. But future meetings of the 'Full Schilling Social Club' - ie just the two of them - are at risk, as May has the opportunity to move out of the retirement home to go live instead with her formerly absent son. But why is the former actress having to write down names of those in her life and rehearse her lines for each day?
Although Alan Muir's play takes an unflinching look at how difficult life can become when we find ourselves in old age, and how vulnerable, isolated elderly people can be, it's also a truly touching, uplifting hour. The dialogue is natural and funny. I'd be honoured to listen to Jimmy and May's stories, so heartfelt and warmly delivered are they.
Director Cora Bissett has a stellar cast to work with here; the performances are wonderful. William MacBain's cheery Jimmy is a joker with quips for every situation. His stories of going to the dancing and meeting the love of his live are vivid and tender. Juliet Cadzow's May is more reserved and composed - her uncertainty, fear and sadness are palpable - but her face lights up when she remembers the good times past or when she's telling stories of her former acting career. I was enthralled by their every word. This pair of cherished Scottish actors are magnificent together; this play is worth going to see for their performances alone.
Jimmy and May are aided at their respective retirement village apartments by carer Christine (Lola Aluko) who pops in to help them retain their independence, and who shares Jimmy's concerns about May's mind and sudden good fortune. Aluko holds her own against the two strong veterans bringing an assured, youthful energy to the stage. Christine epitomizes the over-stretched care service: She is someone who radiates kindness, with a tender heart of gold who wants to help more but is restricted by other pressures.
Strangers in the Night is a heart-breaking reminder of the importance of how we care for one another: family, friends, neighbours, strangers. The story is beautifully constructed and unravels in such a way that I had a lump in my throat from about halfway through. At times hilarious, always honest and poignant, Strangers in the Night is the first at A Play, A Pie and Pint this season to have me sobbing over my pie. Gorgeous ★★★★☆
Strangers in the Night plays at Òran Mór, Glasgow until 22 November 2025.
Juliet Cadzow said of Strangers in the Night:
“Òran Mór is so very special to me and to be back on the stage for A Play, A Pie and A Pint, where I have performed so often, brings back very happy memories of 10 years of David (Maclennan) and my time here.
“Strangers in the Night is a touching poignant piece following on from my last appearance on the PPP stage in Sunset Boulevard 10 years ago, and I can’t wait to be back.”
Strangers in the Night PPP Cast
Lola Aluko as Christine Wright
Juliet Cadzow as May Davidson
William MacBain as Jimmy Marshall
Strangers in the Night PPP details:
Òran Mór, Glasgow, G12 8QX
Mon 17 - Sat 22 November 2025, 1pm
£15.50 - £21.50 (inc. food and drink)
Tickets: 0141 357 6200 (option 4) or via playpiepint.com
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