When the Iron Lady closed the doors to the mines around the UK, hundreds of thousands of
miners lost their jobs and began one of the most famous strikes in British history to fight
against the hierarchy. Shelly Middler’s The Collie’s Shed comes to the Gilded Balloon to
explore the drastic effect it had on four miners in the 80’s – as well as the long term personal
and emotional effect it still leaves in the present day.
Based in a Men’s Shed in East Lothian, The Collie’s Shed follows four retired miners as they
discover how a review into the policing of the ’80s mining strikes and a potential Miners’
Pardon Bill by the Scottish Government suddenly affects them, their friendships and their
relationships. They then embark on a journey on how one unforgettable and violent day of
striking at Bilston Glen Colliery leaves the characters wrestling with what is right and wrong.
The play overall was very powerful. You could see the emotion that Middler wrote the story
with. It explores much more than just the mining strikes. It explores loss, grief, resentment,
masculinity and the wall that comes down when traditional men are with their close friends.
Each topic and theme was expressed very well in the storytelling and dialogue and
represented those who had to live through these treacherous times amazingly.
The set was quite simple, a few tables and woodworking tools that brought the audience into
the shed with the characters. The minimalist set was perfect as it didn’t take up much room
and allowed the actors to roam around the stage, creating a great stage presence.
The opening was very grasping. Having an overture of the old news reports and speeches
from the time of the strike, leading into the cast bursting onto the stage with their picket
signs, chanting and raving around the stage and throwing the audience right into the mix and
the tone of the play.
The cast was split into two different time frames. The present day miners; Charlie – played by
Stephan Corrall, Billy – played by Kevin Parr, Tommy – played by Alasdair Ferguson and
Glen – played by Paul Wilson. Then the 80s miners; Charlie – played by John Walker Gray,
Billy – played by Joey Locke, Tommy – played by Dom Fraser and Glen – played by Rory
Grant.
Both sets of four actors were very good. The 80s group of Walker Gray, Locke, Fraser and
Grant highlighted some fantastic chemistry and brotherhood between characters. And the
present day group consisting of Corrall, Parr, Ferguson and Wilson were amazing at
capturing the emotional damage and scars that the strikes left on those on the picket line.
The only critics would actually be atmosphere related. Each performer gave it their all and
the story told by Middler and the actors was sad, funny, heartfelt and aggressive – every
emotion you would want from the piece. However, the tone was similar throughout the show.
Everything was kind of at one level which was loud and angry, the exception being the
ending between the four present day miners and the saddening scene where Fraser is
attacked in the Shed whilst looking for Billy. Even a slight mix of level and emotion would
have just gave the piece such a well rounded ambiance, giving the audience all the highs
and lows and really having them leaning in, hooked till the very end.
The blackouts and scene changes could have been slightly quicker also. With such a close
audience, and no music or form of transitional overture, it brought a halt to what was such a
fast paced piece of theatre.
In conclusion, The Collie’s Shed is a powerful, heartfelt play that represents such troubled
times in Scotland. The piece is written beautifully and the performers each showcased great talent and understanding of the effect that was left from the closing of the mines.
The Collie’s Shed is performing at Venue 24, Gilded Balloon’s Patter Hoose – Other Yin,
August 9th-20th @ 1:15pm. Get your tickets here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/collie-s-shed
Theatre Scotland 
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