In an outstanding tribute to marvellous music of Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, the Largs Players' production of 'Caledonia USA', felt more like an epic movie.
The sweeping scale storyline, brilliant acting, and spectacular moving image sets were of an unprecedented scale. Barrfields has never looked so stunning.
It was incredible how the much loved songs of yesteryear were transformed, and given vibrant new meaning by the talented expertise of the Players cast.
Old favourites like 'Breakaway', 'I wanna Stay with you', 'Stay Young', 'When I'm Dead and Gone', and 'Every Little Teardrop' were cleverly weaved into a storyline which transcended the Atlantic Ocean in its powerful emotional reach!
We went through the decades at a rollicking pace because of the time travelling element of the show as different actors played the lead roles through the decades, but in essence, 'Caledonia USA' was truly timeless. Indeed, where did those three hours actually go?!
The sublime sounds of Gallagher and Lyle, and the input of Maggie Kinloch, Deputy Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Viv Adam as writers, were the perfect recipe for success, and the standing ovation at the end was fully deserved.
And Benny and Graham even provided their own song for the signature tune 'Caledonia USA', and put in an unexpected appearance at the end of the spectacular.
The desperation of young Joe Cassidy to move away from Largs and enjoy a new life in New York was the thrust of the dynamic of the show.
His teenage sweetheart Mhairu McIntyre was all set to join him, until her mother falls ill, and she feels torn about joining him on his USA expedition. 
Joe is instead joined on his Stateside trip by untrustworthy friend Dan Johnstone. Mhairu has a daughter, meaning that Joe is blissfully unaware that he is a dad, while he begins a new life as a fireman in the States.
As we move through the eras, we see how Joe and Mhairu's lives transform, but the pangs of the teenage romance, and what might have been, hold each other back.
Joe marries Layna O'Hara, but is alarmed to find out years later, that his daughter Joanne once called at their house looking for him, and never revealed it.
However, the day in question happened to be one of the darkest days in the history of America during the Twin Towers disaster, as Joe and Dan were fireman working there, and this is where we see one of the most dramatic scenes. Largs Academy principal music teacher Craig Smith's performance of 'Dan' was magnificent, and really captured the emotion of the moment. How brilliant it was to see Craig, who has been so influential behind the scenes of many brilliant school productions in recent years, have a starring role.
Eventually the paths of Joe and Mhairu do cross, and we learn the true meaning of how life moves on in a satisfying and thought-provoking finale.
The cast were extremely impressive with Robbie Quinn, Craig Smith and Ian Somerville playing Joe through the ages, and Eleanor Jarvie, Kirsty Strahan and Pat Nicol portraying Mhairu. Eleanor Jarvie's 'Breakaway' had real gusto and vigour in the departure lounge at the airport. 
It was a wonderful showcase for Largs Players as cast of all ages shone as brightly as the giant projector screen in the background conveying the impressive locations of Largs and New York. Claire MacMillan shone as Layna O'Hara. 
Jordin Revel and Andy Park brilliantly played Joe's friend Dan through the eras, and Calum McVittie played Mhairu's eventual partner, and husband, Davie Tait, and put in a sparkling performance, and certainly looked the part in the 1970s with the handlebar moustache!
Former 'News' editor Drew Cochrane and Linda McMurray's Mrs Canatelli provided a good sprinkling of humour too, while Hugh Douglas's role as Willie, playing Joe's mentor, gave him the opportunity to sing the McGuinness Flint song 'Malt and Barley Blues' in a light-hearted comical moment.
Altogether it was Largs Players' finest hour, a glorious success, which celebrated two songwriting icons who have had a strong influence on the musical scene on both sides of the Atlantic, and wouldn't it be apt if this tremendous musical followed in their footsteps?
Nostalgic, magical, and pulls the heartstrings throughout, Caledonia USA is all about the separation of love, but the irony is, the music, atmosphere and magical storyline never leaves you!
Wow.
Cast list: Joe Cassidy (1970-1986) - Robbie Quinn; Joe Cassidy (2001-2010) - Craig Smith; Joe Cassidy (2010-2016) - Ian Somerville; Dan Johnstone (1970-1986) - Jordin Revel, Dan Johnstone (2001-2016) - Andy Park; Willie - Hugh Douglas; Davie Tait - Calum McVittie; Tommy - Stephen Crumlish; Jim - Euan Barker; Rev.McIntyre - George Whitestone; Mhairu McIntyre (1970-1986) - Eleanor Jarvie; Mhairu McIntyre (2001-2010) Kirsty Strahan; Mhairu McIntyre (2010-2016) - Pat Nicol; Eleanor Tait (1970-86) - Rachel Scott; Eleanor Tait (2001-2016) - Lynn McCabe; Fiona Campbell - Rachel Yeomans; Jessie McIntyre - Fiona MacDougall; Mrs Canatelli - Linda McMurray; Frankie O'Hara - Drew Cochrane, Layna O'Hara - Claire MacMillan, Joanne McIntyre (1971-1975) Rosie Strahan; Joanne McIntyre (1976-1979) Oriana Strahan; Joanne McIntyre (1983) - Daisy Wilson; Joanne McIntyre (1986) - Colleen Garrett; Joanne McIntyre (2001-2016) - Maggie Telfer.; Policeman - Stephen Crumlish; PC Mortimer - Elizabeth MacMillan; Doctor - Jon Wilkin, Officer Ramirez - Kevin Jannetts, Barmaid - Megan McEleny; Bede - Laura Edison; Scooter - James Fox, Gabe - William Ferguson - Debra Joan Braniff.
Other lodgers: Euan Barker, Kevin Jannetts, Willie Mullen, Andrew Braniff, Jon Wilkin.
Ensemble: Andrew Braniff, Stephen Crumlish, Kevin Jannetts, Allan Milligan, Willie Mullen, Jon Wilkin, Karin Bryce, Fiona Carruthers, Alison Goldie, Dot Gosling, Issy Kell, Elizabeth MacMillan, Corra McCabe, Kathleen McKenna, Mags McMillan, Jane Parfitt, Kirsty Strahan, Karen Wilkin, Rachel Yeomans, Veronica Rae, Iona Morrison, Lauren Newton, Holly Connell, Daisy Wilson, Ruby McGill, Anya Milligan, and Megan McEleny. 
Production Team: Director/Writer - Maggie Kinloch, Writer Viv Anderson, Musical Director/Arrangements Ryan Moir, Choreographer/Assistant Director Ruairidh Forde, Production Designers Siiri Korhonen, Rory Boyd, and Conor McMahon; Stage Manager - Sandy Cunningham, Assistant Stage Manager - David Page, Costumes - Joan Braniff and Eileen Cochrane, Set construction - Sandy Cunningham and David Page; Stage crew - Sandy Cunningham, Calum Little and David Page; Lighting Design - Jazz Hutsby; Sound Technician - Alan Beattie, Sono Vie; Properties - Fiona Page and Lesley Clements; Make up designer - Babs Club; Assistant to make-up designer - Grace Culshaw, Band - Ryan Moir - Keys, Colin Young - Keys, Staurt McArther - Bass, Kay McLaren - Drums, Aileen Sweeney - Accordian/Saxophone Dave Addison - Electric Guitar/Mandolin, Stewart Robbie - Acoustic Guitar.