Written by James Rowland

Review by Harri Dimdore-Miles

Beside at Pleasance Courtyard

James Rolland and his semi-autobiographical Team Viking is back after its stellar 2016 debut at the Fringe. This hour of storytelling immerses us in the story of Rolland and his two childhood best friends – Tom and Sarah – who grew up together watching and re-enacting Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis film The Vikings (1958). When a mid-twenties Tom is abruptly diagnosed with heart cancer, an uncurable illness, James and Sarah must support him through his final months. Their loyalty is put to the test when Tom makes one final death wish – to have a Viking funeral.

Rolland sets a casual round-the-kitchen-table tone of storytelling immediately. His turn of phrase is relaxed and familiar and he throws words at the audience like a friend bursting to tell you a tale. His style is instantly charming and creates a rawness that reminds us Rolland, very vulnerably, is handing us a part of his life in this hour – not a polished fictional monologue.

The story itself is unbelievable and Rolland masterfully leads the audience through it, making them both laugh and cry along with him. A crushing account of Rolland not leaving his room for days is followed immediately by the slapstick of him trying to smuggle his friend’s corpse away from the funeral director. Rolland is consistently quick witted and finds laughter in grief with ease, giving us genuine insight into the uplifting parts of life in the months before and after Tom’s death. However, Rolland really displays his range of delivery in the harder moments in the show where his anger or upset throb from his body as he retells moments of breaking point. Team Viking left many of the audience (including myself) wiping away tears.

For the most part the show has a very strong structure that enhances both the comedy and tragedy of the story. He successfully flicks between different timelines with nothing but subtle changes in tone and demeanour. The progression of the story is also marked by his mysterious periodic use of a sound pedal which he gradually records more layers of an A Capella song on. The eventual payoff of this is satisfying and smart, really tying the piece together and making the peak of the story utterly gratifying.

At points Rolland speaks a little fast, adding excessive details to side notes that may not need it. Occasionally the parables of the story also feel over explained – it is really powerful a couple of times but becomes less so after multiple take away messages are made explicit. That being said there were important lessons, and engaging questions about friendship and about honouring the dead versus the living. Team Viking is a bonkers and thought provoking true(ish) story that’s comedy and sorrow really sits with you.

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