Devised by Jo Mango and Liam Hurley

Directed by Liam Hurley

Co-musical Direction by Jo Mango & Louis Abbott

A sense of freedom breaths life through the cluttered, though comforting, Traverse stage tonight: a life-giving sense of release and opportunity that few of us can say we’ve felt.

The closest most of us come to a sense of incarceration are the tales of those locked in the dungeons of history or fiction. The culmination of four years of research, featuring a set list of fourteen songs, The Giant on the Bridge takes those initial steps over the brink in presenting material drawn from unnamed participants to lend authenticity to the fantastical and heartfelt – devised by Liam Hurley, and singer-songwriter Jo Mango.

With the atmosphere of your mum and dad’s first place, or that aunt who still decorates that way, with the faux-plants and soft-wood record holders: designer Claire Halleran’s disarming set dressings of rugs, armchairs, lamps, and plastic woodland critters conjure a cosy and welcoming environment – practically inviting the audience onto the stage for a cuppa. But also cluttered in, blended into the mix is an array of musical instruments: the keys to a soulful production brimming with empathy and sincerity.

The titular Giant Story, written by Dr Phil Crockett Thomas (with Iain and Rachel Sermanni), embraces the overall storytelling elements of the four-strand-story from Clem, the ‘Songwriter, ‘D,’ and June. A variation of the Norwegian Heartless Giant myth, this time of an incarcerated female giant with no heart, imprisoned by a cruel and worrisome King, becomes a framework for the show and an intermediary as new elements and characters – a safe network to return to as we venture over this bridge, together, one step at a time. 

Each performer tells their tale through song, but quickly separate threads come together into a bright tapestry of the creative process and come to a clear culmination of four years of co-created work as part of the Distant Voices: Coming Home project. It is designed to offer a creative outlet for those who have recently and have yet to, ‘cross the bridge’ with their experiences with various layers of the criminal justice system. An initial ripple gradually collides and melds, but the first stone is cast from Louis Abbot’s place as the songwriter, brought in to conduct a workshop and channel thoughts, emotions, and aggressions into the creative process for individuals wishing to put their words into song.

Growing, encompassing the entire band, these ripples shift the movements of other stories; spoken word fan and mediator Clem (Mango), who ghostwrites prisoners’ letters while also battling with their traumas through a deeply touching thread of ‘Clem’s Story’ with input from Fergus McNeill, Rachel Fleming, and Gordon McKean. The production structure is turn-based, pushing the run time into an excessive two hours. However, Janice Parker’s movement direction maintains a flow and pacing that keeps the overall length of the show from feeling like it stretches to this length.

Though these initial stories spread the narrative, and the titular fairytale frames it all, it is Solareye’s (Dave Hook) role as D, a father three days from the end of his prison sentence, offers the most immediate puncture to the audience’s sympathy. While the thought of release is a mix of stomach-churning anxiety, the real trepidation comes from finally seeing their daughter, who currently lives with D’s sister. Who is brought to life by Jill O’Sullivan, with a sincere and authentic portrait of those not immediately involved with, but impacted, by family and loved ones in prison. 

The pair have the most immediate connection, featuring a catchy (yet sweet) rap of the automated machines at the Tunnocks Cake Factory (Robot Arms), but the entire band works in harmony to bring the most vital element, the voice of those from the Distant Voices Community, together with respect for their input. With an ambition to develop A Giant on the Bridge, the essential components are here: heart, honesty, and plenty of brass. Coddled with a fairytale embracement – one that nurtures and allows for a sense of breath and eventual growth, A Giant on the Bridge is already one foot over the threshold, ready for whatever good fortunes await its talented team and remarkable inspiration.

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