Men Should Weep

Synopsis

Portrayal of impoverished 1930s Glasgow. Despite cramped tenement living and the turmoil of seven children, there is laughter and strength in the Morrison family. Tough and tender mother Maggie, just about holds together her unruly brood against wretched poverty. But sniping neighbours, the flight of daughter Jenny, and the unexpected return to their overcrowded quarters of Maggie’s son and his sexually restless wife erode her spirit. And then, just as temporary employment for beloved husband John affords a decent Christmas, wayward Jenny returns with new-found wealth, offering them the chance of escape and one big moral dilemma. Written in 1947.

Our Review:

Scott Purvis - 20 September 2011

Carefuly presented like something unearthed from the rubble of a demolished Glasgow tenement, Ena Lamont Stewart's Men Should Weep is an emotionally powerful and economically timely production: debunking of the myth of "the good old days", it dredges up the miserable realities of poverty, disease and Depression in our city's past and the invaluable friendships which helped our close ancestors to survive.

Graham McLaren has developed a fascinating snapshot of Scottish cities in the thirties, helped in no small part by Stewart's still relevant and still funny script. Colin Richmond's crowded tenement house design is claustrophobic, a keenly observed and immaculately preserved museum piece which both shines and stinks in its exquisite decay. Furthermore, the piece is presented in Scots, as is "richt", and fuelled by compassionate, indomitable women who would just have as soon thrown you a jelly sandwich when you tummy was empty as "skelpt yer erse fur nae w...

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Latest User Review

Lynsey Mc - 8 October 2011:

Just took mum and sister to this, mum grew up in 1940s glasgow and brought back memories and we all loved it and thought the acting was good and they came back for second round of applause at the end well done to al, though we have to say there was a very damp musty smell in the theatre, think its needing some tlc...

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