'I need tae make ma ain decision, even if it's wrang.'
I need tae make ma ain decision, even if it's wrang
In 2014, Paul and his classmates at Alba High in Glasgow battle with their first ever vote. But do they choose to remain in the United Kingdom, or opt for Scottish independence?
In this new show by Jack Byrne and Jordan Howat, there are few certainties beyond the fact that both sides are offering Tunnock’s treats as bribes. Everything is in flux. The new history teacher is suggesting musical re-enactments of major battles; parents are taking different sides on the Yes/No debate; friendships are threatened by that most poisonous of events (puberty); and the future seems as fragile as can be.
Eight years on from that landmark vote and those spearheading the campaigns have moved on. But the hopes and dreams of the little lives affected by the result are still ticking over. The script works hard to cover this range of angles and opinions, all of which circle and threaten to consume the central character – Paul – who just wants to crack on with trying to understand who he is.
As a result of its commitment to cover all political and emotional bases, the show comes in at quite a lengthy hour and a half. There is arguably scope to trim a little of the text, but the intent is noble and the cast give heartfelt and involved performances, flipping between situations and characters with energy and immediacy. The chemistry within the ensemble is tangible, and especially endearing in the catchy musical numbers which relive key moments from Scots history with charm and wit.
Brandon Ferguson as good boy Peter, and his LJ Aitken as his tormentor Craig create powerful onstage personas and skilfully signal two contrasting but equally complex inner lives as at odds with the world as they are with themselves. As lead character Paul, Christopher Nicol gives a knockout performance which is at once vulnerable and knowing. Nicol leads us through the labyrinthine loyalties, pressures, ambitions, and fears of adolescence with a lightness of touch and weightiness of purpose which drives the narrative knits together the various threads of the plot.
There is, of course, no likely resolution to a central issue whose seeds were sewn across many many centuries. Alba captures this lack of security and leaves the audience feeling as unsure as those S4 students standing at the ballot box for the first time.
