The Long Drop 

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At 3 seconds to 8 On July 11 1958 Peter Manuel was taken from his cell and hung by the neck in record time, he was dead in 8 seconds. 

Denise Mina’s book turned play by Linda Mclean concentrates on the Watt Murders which took place on 17th September 1956 Mrs Watt her daughter and sister were found shot dead in the early hours. 

Prime suspect was William Watt the husband, even though he was on a fishing trip 80 miles away. Once the case collapses and he is released he wants to find out who did murder his family. 

Peter Manuel says ‘ I know who done it, the Burnside murders’ William meets Peter and they have 11 hours of drinking and driving together. With many a confession, story and secret told. Meeting many of Glasgow’s notorious underworld figures on the way. 

This fabulous play is reality twinned with imagined conversations. Part murder mystery and part courtroom drama. Peter even conducts his own defence, making witnesses face him eye to eye. Only his mother fully sees through him as she knows what he has been capable of during his life of crime, even stealing the Chapels Offertory Box when a child. 

Brian Vernel oozes charm as Manuel he captures the glint of a guy you might know, who could suddenly turn to violence. 

Keith Fleming as Watt is phenomenal getting drunker and drunker, confessing his love for his mistress Euphemia. He is one of the most convincing drunks I have seen on stage never over playing it, keeping that true alcoholic restraint. 

Mary Gapinski gives a lovely well worn performance as Bridget Manuel’s long suffering mum. 

With Robert Jack, Martin Donaghy, Andy Clark and George Drennan taking on all the other characters it’s a cast you can normally only dream of. 

Dominic Hill never let’s up with the momentum, the beating scenes were stylishly done. Using Ben Morgan fabulous sound design. 

Jen McGinley’s set was stylishly lit, becoming court room, bars, clubs and prison cells. 

I you don’t get to the Citz to see this you are seriously missing out.