THE path to glory, for many small-town Scottish bands of the 80s and 90s, was littered with broken dreams.
Some made it, some didn’t, and for many, it was over before it really began.
Composer, playwright and director Andy McGregor, whose latest work Battery Park comes to the Tron Theatre this month, knows all about that.
His band, Blind Pew, formed in 1997 when he was 17, signed to a label, recorded an album and lasted almost a decade before disappearing from view.
Battery Park is not the story of Blind Pew, but it does have some parallels.
Part of The Beacon Arts Centre’s 10th anniversary programme, and performed by Andy’s company Sleeping Warrior, it tells the story of Tommy, a jaded, middle-aged guy from Greenock and the story of his band from the 90s who very nearly made it….
Part theatre and part live music gig - “definitely not a musical, but it’s gritty and it’s loud and it’s Scottish,” says Andy - Battery Park takes the audience on a journey back to the 90s, era of Britpop and Blur vs Oasis.
The story follows Tommy, his brother Ed, their best pal Biffy and a private school girl, Robyn, as they get ready for the gig of their lives - supporting Oasis at the Barrowland Ballroom - only to abruptly disappear from the scene, never to be heard of again.
Fast forward 25 years and a young student is chatting to a slightly more jaded Tommy, the leader of the band, whose reminiscences unravel exactly what happened to Britpop's next big thing….
It’s a tale of broken dreams and broken hearts, funny and sad in equal measure, with music by a live band playing Battery Park’s original songs.
“It’s ideal for the Britpop fans, anyone who has been in a band or ever dreamed of being in a band – basically anyone who loves music…and theatre…” says Andy, whose previous works include the acclaimed Spuds and Crocodile Rock.
“I’m really excited to be bringing this play, finally, to the Scottish stage. The idea has been with me for many years, loosely based on my own experience of being in a rock band that, ultimately, failed.
“I think the concept of live music and storytelling will make for a really fun and interesting night out. It’s definitely a play that comes from the heart. I think there will be a lot in it that audiences will relate to.”
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Karen Townsend, creative producer and acting joint director of the Beacon said: “The Beacon has supported the development of this show since 2020, as we could see the talent in the company and wanted our audiences to be able to experience the fantastic writing, amazing musicians and talented actors.
“It will bring back memories, but it will also be entertaining for those who didn’t experience the 90s first time around.”
Battery Park opens at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on September 22, and will visit Glasgow’s Tron Theatre on September 28, 29 and 30.
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