It’s the late ’80s, replete with ripped demin, wet look leather and orange eyeshadow. Margaret Thatcher’s Section 28 is looming large. Tony (Benji Knapper) has found his way from small town Scotland to the big city – and once there, he finds his way to Paradise, an LGBTQ+ club presided over by a majestic compère, Cardinal Disco (Alex McCrossan). Tony’s embracing every single one of his freedoms when a sudden shadow is cast over the horizon. An ‘unknown cancer’ that turns out to be HIV.

‘Small Town Boys’ from local company Shaper/Caper sketches out Tony’s story through dance, movement, some spoken word and historic film footage. Alongside eight professional performers, the show also boasts a community cast who contribute to putting a huge number of people on the Zoo Southside stage. The opening choreography from Artistic Director Thomas Small is vibrant, dynamic, sexy and perfectly evocative of eighties’ frivolity but comes into its own when the euphoria wears off and reality sets in. The performers are hi-energy, dripping with excitement and optimism in this place where they feel free to express themselves. They make easy work of the dynamic choreography but also cope beautifully as the nightmarish new reality unfolds. Small’s storytelling is lyrical and lovely and the heartbroken wonderment of ‘Here Comes The Rain Again’ is breathtaking.

The company use the expansive space effectively, luring the audience to dance on arrival turning the cavernous hall into party central. Emma Jones‘ lighting is exuberant, conjuring up all of the high-energy excitement of the disco. Becky Minto‘s costumes are great fun – keep an eye out for Maggie Thatcher. The show has been produced in association with Terrence Higgins Trust and Waverley Care and comes to the Fringe as part of the Made in Scotland showcase.

‘Small Town Boys‘ is a vibrant, spirited, inclusive retelling of an important part of Scotland’s history and the history of our LGBTQ+ community. The run has now ended but we hope to see it return to stages across the country before too long.

‘Small Town Boys‘ has finished its Fringe run