REVIEW: The Heckelburnie Hecklers – Brian Cox Theatre, Glasgow

You would be hard-pressed to find a show with as much heart and soul as In Cahootz production of Martin Travers’ The Heckelburnie Hecklers.

The work is a collaboration between playwright Travers, the Creative Citizens project and drama-based consultations within Glasgow’s recovery community. This time, the creators have infused music throughout the show, both familiar pop hits and self-penned songs and featuring the Heckelburnie resident band Cauld Sweat. Most laudable is the fact that a year ago the musicians had never picked up an instrument and the singers only experience was some karaoke.

It’s a small town on the outskirts of Glasgow and its beating pulse, the local community hall is under threat. And while honest motives for its demolition and regeneration would be welcome, it’s modernisation by the council at the cost of everything the community holds dear: a place to play, a place to learn – a safe escape for its residents.

Despite the most underhand of efforts, the community won’t go down without a fight and their tenacity, their resolve, sheer bloody-mindedness and love and support for one another mean that the future of the Heckelburnie hub will be bright.

The acting company bring the same resolve, tenacity and care and support for one another to the stage. This is a true team effort and each ensemble member infuses their fictional character with their own personal spark. The energy just radiates from the stage. There is real heart in every line and in every action and the emotion transfers to the audience.

It’s rare that a production truly warms the heart, from the idea to its execution this is a cracker. A joyous production to watch and by the smiles on the faces of the actors at the standing ovation at the end – a joy to be part of too.

If the aim was to show communities that sticking together and that caring for one another, that galvanising our efforts can make us a force for change, a force for good in our rather grim world, then it has surely succeeded.

Images: Alex Brady