The Naked Neds – theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall

The Naked Neds – theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall

Tackling themes of suicide, cancer and male friendship, “The Naked Neds” deals with serious topics with typical Scottish humour. The play has already toured venues across Scotland in a 90min version, and HI! Productions have brought a slightly truncated adaptation to the Fringe.

Four friends meet in the pub for a few beers, overseen by cynical barmaid Bev. Paul’s girlfriend is pregnant, and he can’t believe the price of a pram. His older friend Tony is looking on the bright side – having a child gives you lots of benefits, literally. Joined by their friends Harry and Jamie, they’re all aware of the empty chair at the table. Paul is the only one to voice his feelings over the loss of their friend Cammy, asking if they should have seen the warning signs. Then Harry decides that they should do a charity fundraiser – first a disastrous football match, and then the Full Monty. When Paul discovers that he might have testicular cancer, the lads rally round and support him as they prepare for the big strip show.

Written and directed by Ingram Noble, who also stars as Jamie, the play has the audience roaring with laughter throughout. There’s no deep and meaningful chats for these guys, they show their friendship through trading insults and jokes about their mums, but they’re always there for each other when needed. Aidan Curley shines as the hapless Harry, with great comic timing and physicality. Lucian Burlingame has a swaggering confidence to his performance, made all the more amusing when he becomes an impromptu Pilates instructor. In comparison, Noble’s Jamie has a deep vulnerability that he’s trying to hide, revealed in a moving and very funny monologue about body image. John Stuart completes the group as the boys’ older but not any wiser friend Tony. Dressed head to toe in gold lamé and leopard print, Hannah Mary Taylor’s Bev can silence the lads with a single cutting remark. They all work well together, presenting as a believable group of friends.

Noble certainly has a talent for writing authentic dialogue, and the script crackles with characteristically Glaswegian humour and references. However there are a few too many homophobic insults being hurled around, which seem incongruous given that one of the characters is gay. It’s quite an undertaking to write, direct and act in a show, but an outside eye for the direction might have been helpful. There are a few issues with pacing and use of the space – too often the cast end up in lines, and at some points the dialogue could be even snappier. At one stage it appears that the promised Full Monty is not going to be pictured onstage, but the show ends with an amusing dance choreographed ably by Jodie Bryce. There are some moments near the end when things feel a little disjointed, but this could be due to the fact that this is an abridged version of the script and some scenes have been cut due to the constraints of the Fringe.

The stage is mostly bare, with a few chairs and a table being used as props. Pictures from the touring version show a much more fully realised set, but the cast use what they have effectively. Technical support is provided by the cast of fellow company Dolls N Rags, and runs smoothly throughout.

This is a show that is full of heart – slightly scrappy and rough around the edges, but delivering an important message. Check on your friends, check yourself, and don’t be afraid to talk about your feelings.

Reviewer: Torya Hughes

Reviewed: 9th August 2025

North West End UK Rating: