Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh until Sat 03 May @ 19.30

Dolorous surrealist Ivor Cutler was a cult figure, appearing on radio and TV accompanying himself on the harmonium as he sang songs or recited his dry, oblique and often strangely romantic poetry. This show from Vanishing Point and National Theatre of Scotland tells the story of this shy awkward and sometimes difficult dreamer’s life through music, dance and vignettes, and is as odd and engaging as the man himself.

Not a written piece, but a work built up from rehearsals, there’s a joy of creation, a playing with form and expectation and an embrace of the absurd which perfectly encapsulates the tone of Cutler’s work. Sandy Grierson’s highly physical performance as the writer provides a great way to express Cutler’s imagination as well as the turmoil and anarchy hidden inside this quietly spoken Scot’s stony-faced exterior.

The first half follows him from Glasgow Jewish childhood, through his spell in the RAF and his rebellion against the Scottish education establishment, to his ‘discovery’ by the London media glitterati. It skips along briskly, giving a portrayal of a man who managed to be an astute observer whilst keeping his head firmly in the clouds.

The second half of Matthew Lenton‘s production is more sombre. It deals tenderly with the relationship between Cutler and Phyllis King – portrayed as genteel but strong by Elicia Daly – as well as his final days blighted by Alzheimer’s. Compassionate and quiet we also hear some of Cutler’s most achingly romantic poetry put to music by James Fortune and the onstage band.

This is both a beautifully paced and well balanced piece. Elements of Cutler’s life are played as broad farce with others given more muted treatment and Grierson, playing both Cutler and himself in scenes with Daly’s King, gives something much more than a mere impersonation. Theatre, film and TV works about dead artists tend to be grim affairs, focusing on the dark, hidden worlds behind the public face. Ivor Cutler, though guarded wrote with an open heart and this affectionate production is a more than suitable tribute to both the man and his work.