David William Bryan: In Loyal Company

Great acting and story telling - compelling & would thoroughly recommend.

A brilliantly versatile, energetic and often poignant performance of a very well-scripted true story. You cannot help but become very invested in the central character. A different show to a lot of what we saw, and one of the very best. Highly recommended.

An extraordinary performance from the young David William Bryan.
The store captivated the true horror of war.
I was moved by the way Mr. Bryan could show the emotions of a young soldier from true happiness to pure horror.
Brilliant performance indeed.

Absolutely beautifully written and the performance is quite extraordinary. A 5 star show if ever there was one.

Stunning !
A completely gripping WWII true story of great uncle Arthur, written and performed by his great nephew David William Bryan. We found ourselves totally absorbed in Arthur’s experience and, tearfully at times, willing him to survive. It’s difficult to imagine how a solo performance could have greater impact. If you see only one show, see this. Totally brilliant!

David William Bryan: In Loyal Company (*****)
After the blitz of Liverpool, a young man joins the army, fights in Singapore, and becomes a Japanese POW in a “Bridge Over the River Kwai” camp building a railroad in Thailand. The actor proves up to the task of blending the roles of the soldier, narrator, and a few secondary characters into a powerful whole. While the privations of the POW camp take up much of the play, it is his tales of the air attacks on his transport that stand out for me.

This is the 3rd most enjoyable of the 136 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see more than 150 this year. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/

A very poignant story, brilliantly and energetically told.

Astonishing and poignant drama, beautifully crafted and delivered by a hugely talented performer. An absolute must see!

Stunning performance and an amazing story.

This was pretty incredible. Amazing story, brought to life with imagination, skill and passion. 10/10, don’t miss it.

I had the privilege of seeing one of my all time best performances and performers. This show is just stunning. Not to be missed.

I have followed David for years, but this was the first time I have seen him live in person.

I remain in absolute awe of what I experienced.

Thank you David! You are a genius and please convey my congratulations to your support team.

Wonderful show. Moving. Definitely worth the time Acting was supberb

Absolutely brilliant performance by David William Bryan, the show is both traumatic and optimistic in equal measure. Incredibly thought provoking. Definitely a must see show. Thoroughly deserved standing ovation.

Absolutely jaw dropping fabulous!
Gut wrenching. Must see.
David is a superb performer and the story is utterly gripping. He received a very well deserved standing ovation.

Excellent and especially moving knowing the family connection. A real skill being to hold an audience for 70 minutes. Well worth a visit

Incredibly moving story, brilliantly portrayed. You held your audience for an hour with your physicality and honesty! Amazing!

Hi there. Complete disaster. I couldn’t find the venue directed wrongly by a couple of volunteers.Git to the door 15.03. Refused entry. Let this be a lesson to everyone. There were a couple behind me although I saw a guy sneak in

This is a truly amazing show. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Watching David was an emotional rollercoaster which made an impact which I will remember forever.

I real tour de force.

A compelling telling of one persons experience of world war 2.

To see such a performance in such an intermit venue was a privilege

an outstanding story teller. He becomes all of the characters he plays with superb attention to detail. You might want to follow this with a light hearted musical. this one should not be missed

Very powerful performance, he really puts himself through the mangle.

Was a compelling and powerful show. A welcome change to the pervasive comedy shows. Recommend for anyone who has an interest in history and the human spirit.

Blooming heck that laddie can act. He hit every lighting cue, didn't skip a beat. I was there with him on the streets of Birkenhead. So much so I even smelt the Horse poo. I was sweating in the jungle too. Fantastic writing, superb direction and acted his socks off. Definately going to see Fragility of Man. Cannot rate highly enough.

A lifetime movingly portrayed in an hour. From Birkenhead to India, Japanese prisoner of war camps in Thailand and finally back to Merseyside Joe (Arthur) transforms from a chirpy young lad into a soldier, who experiences the very worst aspects of military life and death. We meet family, friends and & captors all convincingly and energetically portrayed by David William Bryan (Arthur/Joe's great nephew). One of the best shows we've seen in many years of attending the Fringe. Well done!

A remarkable show! Amazing energy of performance and an extremely poignant & impactful real life story. Very moving. The best type of drama - it has an ongoing impact (I’m feeling emotional now when I think of it, a few days later). A wonderful tribute to an “ordinary” man, brought to life and into the audience’s hearts & minds, so very powerfully by his great nephew. Thank you David!

A beautiful story, incredibly told and acted. Extremely moving. very powerful performance I'm sure made even more impactful due to the story line being the actors great uncle. Please don't miss this.

We saw this on Wednesday. OMG what a tour de force. Do not miss !

Saw the show yesterday and thought it was brilliant. The audience gave David a standing ovation and we’re still wiping away tears as they left. One man outside theatre said ‘I’m having a delayed blubber!’ the emotional response was a tribute to the actor, writing, sound, and the raw material which was all about a Hero.

It was my privilege to see David William Allen's 2nd Fringe production (along with Fragility of Man). Another example of an actor working at the top of his craft. Seeing David William Allen doing either of these shows (but I recommend both) will give you future bragging rights alongside people who saw Fringe premieres like Phoebe Waller-Bridge doing her little show Fleabag, or Tom Stoppards little bit of fanfic called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. If you enjoy stellar dramatic storytelling, do not miss these shows,

A tour de force by David William Bryan as he recounts his Great Uncle Arthur’s experiences in World War II. The standing ovation was thoroughly deserved for a performance which is off the scale in its emotional and physical demands. Stories like this of working-class heroes who could never have imagined when enlisting the horrors they would soon be facing should never be forgotten. For a one-man show to so vividly capture the bombing of Liverpool, the sinking of a troop ship, jungle warfare and the hell faced by prisoners on the Thai-Burma Railway is some achievement.

Maybe the best piece of theatre ever seen at the Fringe. Superb one man show which alternates with a piece about the prison system, also painful, touching and vivid. He deserves to play to packed houses. An exhausting and enthralling pair of shows.

Wow - just wow.

An incredibly moving performance of one man's experience of war. Brilliantly performed and emotionally draining to watch. Cannot recommend it highly enough

Stunning. A fantastic piece of theatre. The back story of this show is so poignant. And the show keeps you enthralled from the first moment to the end. Can’t recommend it enough. A must see.

Hugely moving. Incredibly versatile performer. I didn't miss a beat. Wonderful actor. The family connection to this true story adds to the compelling nature.

David is exceptionally talented. His role as Arthur, David's own great uncle, was a beautiful tribute to his memory and showcased the emotional and physical pain soldiers experience during war. David's energy, enthusiasm, and raw talent portrayed Arthur's story in clear detail. I am very thankful for the opportunity to learn about this brave man portrayed by such a talented actor. I would absolutely recommend you to go and see this performance. 10/10

An absolutely fantastic performance - we were engrossed start to finish and then couldn’t stop talking about it for hours. A huge congratulations to David and a big thank you for such a wonderful show and insight into your family story. Highly recommend and suggest at least an hour decompression time to really take it all in

This is an excellent show - we saw it yesterday and I am still thinking about it. The acting combined with the lighting and sound effects bring the many characters and locations to life and immerse you fully in this incredible story. The fact that David is related to Arthur gives added poignancy and I absolutely urge you to go and see this.

Outstanding solo performance. Had been recommended to me and now understand why. One not to be missed at this year’s fringe.
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This play is not to be missed…!!!

A fantastic piece of theatre; stunning delivery. A standing ovation from me

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Excellent.

I've followed David on Social Media for six years now, constantly seeing the glowing reviews he gets for his solo shows. And after many failed attempts at trying to see one of his productions, I finally got to see In Loyal Company.

What I've just experienced is an expert performer at the height of his game, telling the gripping and harrowing story of his great uncle who fought in World War 2.

I'm so glad I finally got the chance to see this story and I could not recommend this anymore to be a part of your EdFringe experience.

Book. Your. Tickets. Now.

This is an absolute must see of a show.

A true and rather dark tale told with verve and enthusiasm so that the audience whilst saddened by the waste of young lives are uplifted by the show. The pace is relentless and David tells his tale in a very physical but nonetheless ingenious manner.

By some way the best thing I have seen at the Fringe this year.

The captivation never ceases from the moment David steps onto stage. A superb work of theatre and one that will leave you reveling in the true story of an untold WW2 experience. I can't recommend this show highly enough, it truly touched me- a perfect balance of energy and emotion maintained to the last moment. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a standing ovation. Not to be missed.

A totally immersive and moving experience. Brilliantly written, acted and realised. A personal but universal tribute. By far and away the best of nine shows we saw.

A masterclass in Solo performing! He ‘becomes’ each character and draws the audience in. DO NOT MISS THIS. You’ll leave exhausted but in awe of David William Bryan’s skill and commitment the performance. Saw Fragility of Man yesterday and this today. Both so different but equally brilliant

Incredible performance, great writing and great tribute; seen both of David’s shows and can only hope to see more in the future,

What an incredible piece of theatre. If there is only one show you can see at the Fringe, then look no further than this show. Incredible script with acting at it's very best and all based on a true story. It keeps you on the edge of your seat! Absolutely the best!

An absolute tour de force!! Not to be missed.

A must see! Incredible storytelling and phenomenal acting. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it. I’ve already got my ticket to see Fragility of Man.

Saw this show this afternoon. Extremely moving and very well acted made even better by the personal connection and being shown the photograph of the subject before the performance. Knowing everything in the play is factually true made it even more poignant. Definitely recommend.

One of the most gripping performances I have seen as trie tale of one man's journey through the second world war. Utterly compelling and delivered with so much energy and passion.What a privilege it was to see this. If you get the chance, don't miss it. It's a rare joy to watch such a performance of this quality!

What an incredible performance from David William Bryan, as he navigates a powerful and true story of humble beginnings, through the turmoil of WW2 and the bravery and honesty of an unassuming young man. Incredibly this is a personal story, written from family history and honours so many men who fought for freedom and died to keep his friends and family safe. We thank him for his service. A must see show!

Outstanding. This one hander is told energetically about the world war 2 experience of a Liverpool recruit who ended up in the far east. The journey to call up training transfer to Singapore capture and return is both uplifting and terrifying. David gives it everything and the result is a profound tour de force.

One of the best productions on the Fringe I have seen in over 20 years. It’s a True story about everyday human resilience during WW2.
Captivating acting and precise writing. A treat, if a tear jerker.

Amazing show a must see, gripping from start to finish

Saw this show a few years ago and returned to see it again. An energetic and powerful performance depicting a personal family story and the brutality of war. Very moving with touches of humour and performed with minimal props. A must see show.

Excellent drama based on an emotionally powerful true life story of WW2.
My dad (90) and I chose this show again after seeing it last year. David has lost nothing of his energy and passion. His acting is engaging and full of emotion.
Must see show.

David kept the audience of 200 spellbound. Captivating, energetic and emotional performance with few props he managed to take us through his great- uncle's experience. The fact that it was a family member made it all the more poignant. Very moving and highly recommended.

Highly recommend this show - the energetic yet emotional performance holds you throughout. Well done indeed!

This was an extraordinary performance: physically strong and emotionally riveting. To hold the audience, and this story, for an hour, solo, is impressive enough, but to take us from Liverpool to Mumbai to Thailand and back, with minimal but effective use of stage, sound and smoke, is really really quite something. Go to see this.

We talked to David's dad last year about this show but were not able to see it due to time. However planning this years trip this was top of the list to see and we were not disappointed. This young man plays 18 characters and brings an incredible piece of his family history to life. It's moving, traumatic with a little humour as well. DEFO go see it.

We felt this was an outstanding play, acted with great power and energy. It was a very moving piece and the fact it was a true story and being acted by a family member, made it all the more so. We would recommend it - fantastic.

Went to see David in his play, the Loyal Company earlier today. Best thing I have seen at the Fringe since I arrived in Edinburgh last Saturday. David delivers the story of a soldier who facing all odds being stacked against him comes through to live to tell the tale. It is massively important that this generation’s contribution is not forgotten. David’s performance delivers on this. A must see at the Fringe.

Fabulous one man show. David's energy is amazing. He filled the whole stage with his characters, emotion and powerful performance. A must go see for 2024.

The true story of his great uncle's experiences in WW2 told by David William Bryan. A powerful, dynamic performance that will move you.

What a performance: powerful, moving, gripping. My cousin had heard he was good, understatement. Go to this.

Absolutely captivating performance. My husband and I were enthralled throughout. If more people could experience such heartfelt performances the world could become a better place! We attended without knowing what to expect, but are so glad that we booked this ticket.

This is a tremendously powerful piece of theatre. David Bryan commanded the stage and our attention completely. He is a brilliant talent and the story itself is so moving - and all true. Highly recommended!

A must see. Brilliantly performed. First rate production values. Quite popular so get your tickets now!

An interesting and moving narrative of a true story. I had tears in my eyes by the end of the performance.
From the optimism of a youth shattered by the Liverpool blitz to the squaddie humour of what really was the last days of Empire in India.
From there to the splendour of Singapore unfortunately in flames and the horror of facing an implacable foe and being betrayed by Percival who was tactically inept leading to one of the biggest surrenders of the British Army.
Then the capture and imprisonment by an enemy with no respect for human lives.
Superbly performed by David William Bryan, the twist being that this is personal to him.
If you're not moved to tears by the performance then you need to check your pulse.
If you're interested in the human condition and both the frailty and strength of man then this is a must.

Incredible solo performance. Very moving story. Highly recommend! His other show is very different and fantastic, too.: "David William Bryan: Fragility of Man".

An amazing performance of a true storey well worth see.

What a fantastic show! The energy maintained throughout is unwavering. For a one man show I feel like I've seen a whole cast tell this story. Truly transported by the storytelling. Beautifully written and performed, I cannot recommend enough ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely incredible
Such a powerful story, and David tells it so powerfully. Even with a sparse staging I was completely transported.
Go see this show!

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A masterpiece: David William Bryan is thoroughly engaging. Highly recommend seeing his other show too: Fragility of Man.

Outstanding. Single-handed tour-de-force. Absorbing. Standing ovation given. Can't say more!