“A hilariously and authentically Glasweigan play illustrating the messy and complicated world of modern dating paired with the consequences of horrible communication.“
D.C. Jackson’s My Romantic History takes on the Tron Theatre through the direction of Johnny McKnight, spilling to the audience the woes of two individuals who find themselves in a workplace situationship. McKnight’s portrayal of romance in the digital age is generously sprinkled with Glasweigan patter, comedically highlighting the problems singles face today alongside the complications that come from a society brimming with romantic expectations.
The plot follows two thirtysomethings, Tom and Amy, who get together for a one-night stand on a work night-out. This short-lived love affair is soon followed by the hot mess that comes with their lack of communication, hilariously conveyed through Tom and Amy’s perspectives. Tom and Amy both confide in the audience individually, providing a candid look into both of their characters through aside monologues and the re-enactment of their memories, in which they both take on the role of each other’s childhood sweethearts respectively. This view into their disastrous past love lives scarred by troubled teenage romance reveals why both of their views on romance are so cynical, and how this reflects upon their view of each other.
Tom (Lewis Watson) is a nervous wreck who always seems to say the wrong thing. Watson delivers a brilliantly expressive and animated performance emphasising the essence of Tom’s character; a young guy trying to uphold a macho exterior, but who is really still just figuring things out.
Amy (Rebecca Wilkie) is a blunt and disillusioned young woman unable to find a morally decent man. Wilkie convincingly portrays a stressed working woman who feels the crushing expectations of marriage creeping up on her, alongside the ticking of her biological clock in a truly comedic way as she tries to prove to herself her capability of dating.
Julie Wilson Nimmo plays multiple roles throughout the performance, primarily Tom and Amy’s boss, Sasha. Nimmo’s portrayal of Sasha as a modern hipster with a posh Glasgow Uni accent radiates a natural and effortless comedic flair that goes down a treat. Additionally, her overexaggerated mannerisms and quirks in her playing of other characters demonstrates her ability to almost shapeshift, leaving the audience in stitches.
Overall, the cast’s switching of characters is undoubtedly impressive, especially in scenes where quicker character changes are required. The actors also bounce well off each other, giving off great chemistry that only makes the comedic gags funnier.
The decision to use a minimalistic white set may seem dreary, but instead accentuates the dynamics of the different colours of lighting, effectively enhancing the different moods of each scene. The lighting as a whole is utilised very well, especially with the giant lighting board in the back that serves to progress the story, indicating different scene changes clearly, and supporting the show’s comedic gags.
Furthermore, the show’s back-and-forth narrative is done very well by McKnight, with clear indications of both time and character changes, engaging the audience with the main cast.
Johnny McKnight’s adaptation of D.C. Jackson’s My Romantic History utilises both its actors and its set well to provide its audience with a story that collects a lot of laughs through its crass humour, but also sympathy in its more poignant moments that highlight very real issues. The show runs until the 13th June 2026 at the Tron Theatre venue in Glasgow, before continuing on a community tour across multiple venues in Greater Glasgow from the 17th until the 26th of June.