Writer: Kieran Knowles
Music and Lyrics: Megson
Director: Jess Millward
It’s hard to describe The Herald, and indeed Megson themselves aren’t quite sure what to call their current creative output. The folk duo have created a collaboration that definitely isn’t a folk musical, it also isn’t a play with music. It could possibly be described as ‘songs with a storyline’, but this really doesn’t do it justice.
Megson, named after a dead dog (their words, not mine), is comprised of Debs and Stu Hanna, who have been singing together since they were bright young things, releasing numerous acclaimed folk albums since their debut album in 2004. This production, however is a foray into something totally new and different for them, and the excitement about it is palpable on stage.
This collaboration between Megson, supported stupendously by John Parker on the double bass, and actor-playwright Kieran Knowles, is a clever interweaving of songs and narrative based around an eager young journalist’s formative time as a junior reporter on the news desk at his local rag, The Herald.
Written by Knowles, the narrative happens in vignettes, punctuated and interspersed by songs from Megson’s latest album What Are We Trying to Say along with others from their back catalogue. The storyline is a little obvious in parts, but Knowles does a good job of adding light and shade and poignant moments, to create a social commentary piece about a journalist with a heart. Occasionally the tone is a little preachy – when, in the story, the local MP kills himself following his scandalous behaviour and the subsequent media frenzy, Knowles states, “I did that.” rather than posing the question, ‘Did I do that?’. This is followed immediately by a song called, ‘We Are Better Than This’, leaving the audience in no doubt that the viewpoint regards the media as potentially problematic as opposed to shining a light on poor behaviour. This message is tempered somewhat by the end, however, when a fellow journalist thanks her colleague, telling him that these stories need to be told.
The piece is not as straightforward as Knowles simply speaking and Megson playing, both Stu and Debs Hanna move in and out of character, interacting with Knowles in different ways, which makes for interesting and powerful interplay. The real magic comes, however, whenever the music begins and Megson’s melodic harmonies sour over the acoustic guitar that Stu Hanna plays with style and verve. Debs Hanna has a poise and self-contained presence throughout, using her clear and true tone in harmony, often soaring above the melody to complement it and add depth.
Lyrics about Granny living in the cellar (Generation Rent) and a song about ‘doom scrolling’ (Before I Know it) leap out and have the audience giggling and smiling wryly as they recognise themselves and the themes Megson touch on. This is a clever, fun and fairly slick collaboration that is well worth a watch, and indeed a listen – as Stu Hanna mentions on Megson’s website, “We may never do this again and don’t want you to miss it!”.
Reviewed on 13th April 2023.
