This is a blog for friends and family members to get a wee report of the things ive seen and my personal opinions about them.It is mostly inconsequencial shit barely rescued by a mild seasoning of spellchecker.
Members of the public are welcome , as long as you promise not to get offended.
This play is based on a book by Andrew O'Hagan about the ones that slip out of contention in the great Thatcherite no society project.
The Book is well worth reading is its own right:
A personal attraction for me is Andrew was born not far from where i grew up , haunts mentioned in the Book are very familiar playgrounds i knew very well.
In this article O'Hagan discusses the complex emotions when he tried to adapt the book to the dramatic format.
The video below gives good background rehearsal insights from the cast and the writer himself.
Those of you who were lucky to see The Celtic Story play marking the centenary by Wildcat productions ( and the later version in the late 90s with updated material covering the legendary bunnet and the souness years) will recall the general hilarity of proceeding is brought to an eerie sobering sentimental halt with the scene featuring the tragic accident during the old firm game in which John Thomson was fatally injured.The scene ends with a rendition of the eulogy at the funeral calling for an end to rivalry based on hate , with John Thomson being held as an example to all to follow.
This play is a tribute to John Thomson The Bhoy , Man and his all inclusive attitude to life , a tragedy with a truly noble hero.
The co-writer explains the background to the production in the video below:
The play was a first to last blub-fest , there wasnt a dry eye in the house, and that was just the ushers and usherettes.The night i attended was on the anniversary of Jock Steins death.Things began with a rousing one minutes applause and the fever pitch emotion never let up.The Family aspect of our Club was on full display in a manner in which any neutral would have instantly understood and also accept this is something uniquely special to Celtic.
A special mention should be made for Sam English , the unfortunate Rangers Forward who was involved in this tragic accident.When one watches footage of the incident one is taken by the utter Humanity of Sam as he , in great personal pain , limps up to check on his colleague and to frantically call for urgent medical assistance , showing no concern for himself.
Ultimately the lesson of John Thomson , his life and his death , is that If you truly try your best to do something worth doing , then you will never have regrets.
