Gary McNair’s brand-new stage adaptation of Ron Ferguson’s book, Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil, is a wholesome and largely light-hearted play, although the audience members who get the most out of the performance are likely the ones already familiar with Cowdenbeath and its regional football club scene.
Through the character of Sally Venters McAlpine — expertly played by Dawn Steele — the play tells a story of what it means to return home after loss, and how to navigate the complex and contradictory feelings that can arise when faced with one’s past. Sally finds herself stuck in a limbo-esque situation in which she is desperately wanting to move forward in her own story, whilst simultaneously being forced to walk down the path of her previous life before she moved away from her home town, Cowdenbeath. Barrie Hunter, who plays the role of Sally’s dad, serves as a reminder of what really matters in life and acts as the show’s moral guide — albeit via anecdotes of Cowdenbeath FC, which function on a multi-purpose level by also providing the evening’s most comical moments.
The play takes place over the duration of a singular football season after Sally has returned to her hometown for her dad’s funeral. She is then made to stay due to her dad’s last wishes of being scattered on Central Park after a home win for the Blue Brazil (an unusual nickname for Cowdenbeath FC). Unfortunately at first for Sally, the team are on a losing streak that seems determined to continue. However, this proves to eventually be in Sally’s favour, as it forces her to face some hard-hitting truths of not only her past but her current life choices. In the end, Sally succumbs to what her dad affectionately called the hereditary ‘Mad Cowdenbeath Disease,’ and she re-evaluates how she really wants to be spending her life.
Steele’s performance of Sally’s character is not only compelling but also incredibly impressive when considering the sheer amount of dialogue there was, due to her acting as the narrator throughout the play. This style choice of Sally’s character creating the world of the show almost entirely single-handedly creates a more intimate relationship between her and the audience. However, I personally felt this choice of narration to prove repetitive, and found myself wanting the format to be shaken up.
Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross provides the music throughout the show, which conveys the sense of hometown pride in combination with the inner conflict and emotional turmoil being portrayed on stage. At times, however, the music is not entirely necessary, with the songs not being particularly memorable or standing out.
Ultimately, Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil is an entertaining and uplifting play, but the play’s comedy and impact is more resonant with those who have a personal affinity with Scottish football.
Photo by Aly Wight, courtesy of the Royal Lyceum Theatre.