Original Idea: Kyle Falconer and Laura Wilde
Music & Lyrics: Kyle Falconer
Book: Laura Wilde and Johnny McKnight
Directors: Andrew Panton and Tashi Gore
Musical Direction and Arrangements: Gavin Whitworth
There’s much debate about representation in theatre at the moment, seeing ourselves reflected in the faces, words and music on stage. Finding a connection, a belonging, a common ground with the material we watch. Thankfully for those of us north of the border there’s currently a renaissance in Scottish theatre, either written by, set in, or starring local theatrical talent.
Raw, real and relatable stories seem to be at the forefront: love and loss in A History of Paper, the turmoil of growing up gay in a steel town in the 80s and 90s in Maggie and Me, the Brent Spar oil fiasco in To Save The Sea and fame, family and pre and post natal depression in Laura Wilde and Johnny McKnight’s No Love Songs. Each has proven to be a triumph.
Based on an original idea by real-life partners Laura Wilde and Kyle Falconer (lead singer of Dundee band The View, who provides the music) it was first staged at the Traverse Theatre during the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It has also had stints in London, Greenwich, USA and will open off-Broadway next year.
Lana and Jesse’s eyes meet across the sticky floor of a dodgy Dundee club. She a fashion student, he the singer in an up and coming band. Their fledgling relationship takes a serious turn when the unprepared pair find out they are about to be parents. While Jesse is touring the US as a support act to a big name band, Lana is knee deep in nappies, three flights up in their Dundee tenement flat, trying to negotiate a life as far removed as it could be from the one she imagined for herself.
While this raw piece of gig theatre tackles material that is often unrecorded and overlooked, it does so with a tenderness and sensitivity that is laudable. All the expected dry Scottish humour is here as is the rough and real banter between two lovers. Wrapping around all of this are Falconer’s re-worked songs from his second solo album, played in equal parts with vigour and vulnerability by the hugely talented John McLarnon (Jesse) and finesse by musical director Gavin Whitworth on keys as Jesse’s bandmate. Anna Russell-Martin’s Lana is the heart of the piece and her unvarnished vocals tear at the heart strings as she succumbs to darkness engulfing her.
The entire production lacks any pretension, it is deliberately rough around the edges, comprising a black box with amps, mics, cables and cases . It proves that stories can be told with minimal staging but maximum impact. In keeping things real and avoiding mawkishness, it delivers an emotional punch.
As affecting as it was in its original run, a real gem of Scottish theatre.
Runs until 26 October 2024 | Image: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan