A History of Paper – Tron Theatre, Glasgow

Writers: Oliver Emanuel & Gareth Williams

Director: Andrew Panton

Musical Director: Gavin Whitworth

A note pushed under a door is the start of a relationship between two people and between people and paper. The detritus that makes up our lives: tickets, menus, postcards, paper lanterns, origami roses and cranes. Many, if not most of us have that box of paper memories that transport us back in time and place. Memories. Treasures.

The late Oliver Emanuel and Gareth Williams’ A History of Paper started life as a 2016 radio play and arrives in Glasgow after successful outings at Dundee Rep and a sold out run at the Traverse in Edinburgh during The Fringe. Now a play with music rather than an out-right musical, director Andrew Panton deftly handles this intimate and poignant exploration of love and loss.

It’s the Southside of Glasgow in 1999, the eve of the noughties, with Y2K looming large. It’s travel and lifestyle journalist (Emma Mullen) and bookseller and would-be author (Christopher Jordan-Marshall) whose lives intertwine when that fateful note slips under the door. She moaning at him nursing his broken heart to the sound of Radiohead at full volume through the paper-thin walls. A History of Paper charts their life together up to and beyond the catastrophic tragedy that befalls them. Each piece of ephemera worth its weight in memories.

Scottish talent Christopher Jordan-Marshall and Emma Mullen play the central pair with musical director Gavin Whitworth providing the beautiful sounding piano accompaniment. Jordan-Marshall and Mullen pitch their performances perfectly, keeping it the right side of believable throughout. So much so that there’s a wave of emotion from the audience at the end. Few failing to be moved by the action. The songs too aid in the emotional journey, not only pulling you in to the central relationship but pulling your heartstrings too.

In our increasingly digital world it reminds us that pieces of paper really can change hearts and minds and that simple, thoughtful human stories beautifully told, make the world a better place.

Runs until 14 September 2024 | Images: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan