Lewie Watson, who plays Tom (and Calvin) in Johnny McKnight’s staging of My Romantic History, talks to us about love, bad dates, and separating character from real life
My Romantic History runs at The Tron Theatre until June 13th
If you wouldn’t mind giving us an insight into your role within the production, and your experience with the story
I get to play Tom and Calvin in My Romantic History – which is a real privilege for me as it has been one of my favourite plays for many years. Since I first read it over 10 years ago I have always remembered it’s vivid storytelling and how relatable it was – now in my early 30s it’s even more relatable.
The play is practically upholstered with past relationships, so what surprised you most about how your own romantic history crept into rehearsals, intentionally or otherwise, if at all?
While we’ve spoken about first loves and dating horror stories a lot in rehearsals, when it’s come to the actual work, dating history hasn’t informed much. However, it has been a nice bonding experience sharing some of our horror stories. Although I have been dumped a lot and so has Tom – so maybe I have more of a natural aptitude for playing the part than I thought before answering this question…
Tom and Amy – these two fall into dating with all the grace of a toppled kebab, so what was the key to finding chemistry that feels chaotic, believable and painfully funny?
We’ve had a massive advantage with this going into rehearsals as Rebecca (Wilkie) and I have been pals for a few years now. (We even practiced for our auditions for MRH together). For me, the key to this has been the trust that we have, I always feel extremely safe working with Rebecca. I know that she’ll play off what I’m offering in the space and Rebecca always brings such a high quality of work to play off – she’s a real joy to work with! Then with the help of Johnny we’ve built on the moments that work, fine tuned them and created (hopefully) believable relationships.
The script could land differently in a world of apps, ghosting and algorithmic heartbreak, so how did you approach the emotional temperature for a 2026 audience?
I think the testament to DC Jackson’s writing is that this script still feels as relevant – if not more so today. Because of the apps dating is quote unquote “easier” than it ever has been before which I think can magnify the feelings of loneliness for folk at times. I hope audiences feel even more familiar with situationships and the pitfalls of dating in 2026.
The play is riotously funny until it isn’t, so how did you strike the balance between sharp comedy and the more bruising truths underneath?
It’s an incredibly funny script and getting to deliver the funny lines is an absolute joy. What has been key in striking the right balance is identifying the moments of vulnerability in the script and playing the sincerity of it. Tom is bit of a lost wee soul but he covers it in layers of gags, bravado and sometimes pretty questionable behaviour so making that realisation was a big breakthrough in rehearsals. It feels a particularly Scottish thing to talk about your trauma like it’s a tight 10 minute set in at a stand up gig and I think that’s something this play gets spot on – so that helps too!
The show asks whether failing to find “the one” by thirty means you’re the problem or everyone else is, so after living inside this story, where do you land on the idea of ‘the one’, or your views of romance?
Well I got engaged not long before I got this job so if I want to stay engaged I should probably say I totally believe in the idea of ‘the one’..! It is something that we’ve spoken about a lot in rehearsals though and ultimately I think its different for everybody. I also think love can come in so many different forms that aren’t always romantic.
If you’re up for it; give us an insight into your worst date…
I definitely come off worse in this story with hindsight – but I was a shallow 20 year old. I once went on a tinder date with someone who was pretty unrecognisable from their pictures and I got my pal to pretend they were having a crisis to get out of it. Pretty poor form…
My Romantic History runs at The Tron Theatre until June 13th
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