This Is Our Story

Jul 28 2024 | By Hugh Simpson More

★★★★☆ Glorious fun

Tynecastle Park: Wed 24 – Mon 29 Jul 2024
Review by Hugh Simpson

This Is Our Story, the latest offering from Two Halves Productions at Tynecastle, is a hugely entertaining romp that is simply unmissable for any Hearts supporter.

The company’s previous productions – notably A War of Two Halves and Sweet FA – had a wide appeal, even to those with little interest in football. The current production – a whistle-stop tour through the history of Heart of Midlothian FC to mark their 150th anniversary – is produced in partnership with the club and is unashamedly pitched more directly at die-hard Jambos.

Paul Beeson, Ria McLeod, Luis Garrow and Nikki Auld. Pic Robin Mitchell

However, fans of other teams would surely get something out of what is a funny, tuneful and pacy affair (although any Hibs fans would certainly need a tolerance for being the object of derision).

There is certainly a great deal of humour in Paul Beeson’s script, which manages to pack in a great deal of historical information without ever getting too bogged down or appearing overly dry. Some of those attending will know all of what is being portrayed, and some hardly any, so a fine line is constantly and successfully walked.

At times, when there is a choice between established fact and legend, the legend is definitely leaned into, but this is generally the way of it in football club histories – and since the true facts of the club’s founding remain obscure, it is undoubtedly appropriate.

welcoming charm

The script is packed with crowd-pleasing material – some of it extremely up-to-date – and the delight that radiates back at the stage from the audience is almost palpable. There is a welcoming charm to the performances of Beeson, Nikki Auld, Ria McLeod and Luis Garrow (making his professional debut).

The four tell the stories, sing the songs and play various characters from the 150 years, making everyone there feel included and reflecting the show’s title – which is, of course, derived from the club anthem The Hearts Song.

Paul Beeson and Luis Garrow. Pic Robin Mitchell

Much of the humour is knockabout and variety-derived, almost verging on pantomime at times, but none the worse for it. For example, McLeod’s depiction of the divisive figure of Vladimir Romanov, the Lithuanian who rescued Hearts in the early 2000s only to nearly drive them out of existence, is a surprise but makes perfect sense.

Great credit must go to Beeson and director Bruce Strachan for fashioning a show whose episodic nature becomes a strength, with effective contrast between the comedic elements and the more sombre moments.

Matthew Brown’s music is also well utilised, with the songs being catchy and in a variety of styles, played by the composer, David Brown and Nicola Kendall. Attempts to get the crowd to sing along are, however, hampered by the big screens being in the most unfortunate place regarding visibility, and the words often appearing on them after they have been sung.

staging

This is one of the few negative points about the staging, as the rest of Danny Taggart’s sound and AV design is spot on. The staging, meanwhile, is an absolute marvel. Anyone who saw Sweet FA will recognise the basic idea – a stage built out from the walkway over the lower part of a section of the Main Stand, with the audience seated in the rows above – but this time the set is, if anything, even more impressive.

No designer is listed, but Eve Murray is named as ‘set co-ordinator’ and it is based on the old ‘Shed’, which was the covered terracing at the home end of Tynecastle. It is an endlessly versatile space for its size, beautifully used by Strachan, and boasts an excellent mural by Alan Davison detailing figures from the club’s history.

Luis Garrow, Nikki Auld, Ria McLeod and Paul Beeson. Pic Robin Mitchell

Such luminaries are not confined to 2D representations, with a notable face from the past promised at each performance. Once again, the freewheeling nature of the production means that an interview with an ex-player (in this case, legendary goalkeeper Henry Smith) can be accommodated with ease.

The audience are outside, so dress appropriately. Anyone familiar with the stand will know that a hat or sunglasses are definitely required for when the sun is just over the Wheatfield Stand opposite. While an early performance had to be paused due to a sudden downpour.

community

In one sense, it is very difficult to judge critically a production that is so closely tied to the fortunes of one football club. But in another, very important sense, it should be applauded in the highest possible terms. As a surprisingly touching segment detailing administrator Bryan Jackson’s attempts to sort out the Romanov-induced chaos makes clear, football teams are more than just a pastime for their supporters, they are the very foundation of the community.

And when a show like this can get that community together, even those who wouldn’t usually dream of going to watch theatre (especially not something that is essentially a musical) deserves great praise. The fact that it is such great fun is an added bonus.

Running time: two hours and 15 minutes (including one interval)
Tynecastle Park, Gorgie Rd, EH11 2NL
Wednesday 24 – Monday 29 July 2024 and Thursday 8 to Monday 12 August
Daily at 7.30pm (not Sun 11); Matinees Fri 9, Sat, Sun 3pm.
More dates may yet be arranged in August.

Tickets and details: book here.

Facebook: @twohalvesprod
Instagram: @twohalvesprod
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