Gig review: New Rope String Band, The Famous Spiegeltent (Venue 87), Edinburgh

By JIM GILCHRIST
Published on 08/08/2012 10:49

WHEN Léon Theremin came up with his eponymous early electronic musical instrument in 1928, he probably didn’t visualise it becoming a central prop for knockabout musical comedy.

New Rope String Band

THE Famous Spiegeltent (Venue 87)

Star rating: * * *

The theremin, however, – its weird and wobbly whining providing the soundtrack to many a sci-fi B-movie – prompted fits of laughter rather than gasps of terror while centre-stage in one of the New Rope String Band’s gags.

The New Ropers – fiddlers Pete Challoner and Jock Tyldesley and the wonderfully glaikit accordionist Tim “I’m Scottish you know” Dalling – combine their musical skills with old-fashioned slapstick, vaudeville and downright daftness. They accompany a voyage to the Western Isles with seagull effects (of the guano as well as the musical kind), unveil a vintage Dansette record player to accompany an increasingly silly Morris dance, and hammer out jigs on plastic tubes.

Amid moments of inspired madness and clever use of interactive film, Dalling is left “trapped” on screen, although I feel this trick could be even more funny and surreal.

• Until 12 August. Today 5pm.