REVIEW: When We Were Young, EdFringe 2025 ★★★★

It’s Glasgow. In the 90s. Mooney and his pals are out to score some birds, booze, and a brawl if they’re lucky. But, once the fight breaks out, and one man returns bloodied, any fun they previously had is long forgotten. 

Based on a true story, Geez a Break Productions’ When We Were Young is a bold tale of Glaswegian youth, untapped masculinity, and the fear of never escaping the deadbeat future lined up for you at home. This story has a dark core, and yet hilarity prevails in this unstoppable piece. 

The script has a serious amount of humour, with almost every punchline landing a laugh-out-loud response from the audience. Executed with fierce comedic precision by the cast, the dialogue lifts us out of the venue and right into the heart of the scheme.

It is rare to see an ensemble of six in an Edinburgh Fringe play, and my joy at witnessing this talented troupe failed to cease throughout their fifty-five minutes onstage. Bafta-worthy acting is in abundance, and whilst it could have been easy for the various characters to get muddied, each one is distinct. 

Even with these quick exchanges, the blocking does well at keeping up. Actors move around the space with ease, each movement feeling purposeful and well-timed. Though the set is simple, just two chunks of brick wall, the stage comes to life through the action. 

At times, the creative decisions feel heavy-handed. There are two monologues, which are overtly sign-posted by a sad piano track and single spotlight, which takes away from the naturalism that is the bedrock of the play. 

These are paired with scene transitions that appear amateurish, with actors moving around in a blackout, in silence, between each energetic scene. There is a missed opportunity here to continue building the world of the play, along with some more adventurous technical additions. 

That said, When We Were Young is unapologetically, and brilliantly, Scottish. In a festival that is forcefully international, it feels special to see a Scottish-based theatre company, speaking in their strong Scottish accents, telling a truly Scottish story.

Recommended Drink: Buckfast, passed around and shared between six people.

You can catch When We Were Young at The Space on the Mile – Space 3 from Aug 2-9, 11-23 at 18:05. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.