David William Bryan: In Loyal Company
Theatre (historical, storytelling)
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Venue 33Pleasance Courtyard - Beyond
- 15:00
- Aug 24
- 1 hour 10 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom - Scotland
- Group: David William Bryan
- Warnings and additional info: This show will contain strobe lighting, distressing or potentially triggering themes, scenes of violence, some strong language and scenes of war.
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies are not allowed in the venue
- Policy applies to: Children under 2 years
Description
The incredible true story of missing WWII soldier Arthur Robinson, written and performed by his great-nephew David William Bryan. May 1941. Hitler's bombs rain down on Liverpool. Local packer Arthur Robinson joins up, becoming a private in the 18th reconnaissance division. Deployed to Singapore where his ship is destroyed by Japanese dive bombers on arrival, Arthur is declared missing. This extraordinary true story of survival is a one-man tour-de-force war epic.Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Queue in cobbled courtyard. Access to space via locked lift, please notify venue ahead of your visit if you require use of the lift and ask at Info Shed upon arrival for access. Lift dimensions are 1200mm x 1200mm, max. weight 500kg. Performance space is on the First Floor with 20 steps up a permanent stone staircase with handrails.
- Stairs: 11- 20
Wheelchair access type: Building Lift
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
heather 12 days ago
Great acting and story telling - compelling & would thoroughly recommend.
David Stokes 13 days ago
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.
Christina 13 days ago
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.
Margaret Nygren 16 days ago
Absolutely beautifully written and the performance is quite extraordinary. A 5 star show if ever there was one.
Stuart English 17 days ago
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!
Sean Davis 18 days ago
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/
Sally Jones 18 days ago
A very poignant story, brilliantly and energetically told.
Olivia Whitfield 18 days ago
Astonishing and poignant drama, beautifully crafted and delivered by a hugely talented performer. An absolute must see!
john mccallum 19 days ago
Stunning performance and an amazing story.
Will Wadsworth 20 days ago
This was pretty incredible. Amazing story, brought to life with imagination, skill and passion. 10/10, don’t miss it.
Andy Copps 20 days ago
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.
Caroline Newton 20 days ago
Wonderful show. Moving. Definitely worth the time Acting was supberb
Trevor Whaley 20 days ago
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.
Judith Philipson 20 days ago
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.
Dawn Harrington 20 days ago
Excellent and especially moving knowing the family connection. A real skill being to hold an audience for 70 minutes. Well worth a visit
Mhairi Wardner 20 days ago
Incredibly moving story, brilliantly portrayed. You held your audience for an hour with your physicality and honesty! Amazing!
Timothy Draper 20 days ago
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
Janet Lovekin 21 days ago
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.
Chris Russell 22 days ago
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
tom pickering 22 days ago
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
Tim Stone 22 days ago
Very powerful performance, he really puts himself through the mangle.
Desi and Chris Shaw 22 days ago
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.
Alan S 22 days ago
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.
Andrew Carmichael 22 days ago
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!
Mary Macdonald 23 days ago
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!
Nicola Green 23 days ago
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.
Joanne Pasricha 24 days ago
We saw this on Wednesday. OMG what a tour de force. Do not miss !
Lisa Loveman 24 days ago
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.
Randal Richmond 24 days ago
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,
Thomas Vincent 24 days ago
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.
ian forrester 24 days ago
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.
Deborah 24 days ago
Wow - just wow.
Judy 25 days ago
An incredibly moving performance of one man's experience of war. Brilliantly performed and emotionally draining to watch. Cannot recommend it highly enough
Paul Roberts 25 days ago
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.
Phil Ashton 25 days ago
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.
Jack 25 days ago
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
Louise Jennings 25 days ago
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
Karen G 26 days ago
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.
Linda B 26 days ago
Outstanding solo performance. Had been recommended to me and now understand why. One not to be missed at this year’s fringe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Louise 26 days ago
This play is not to be missed…!!!
Andrew Smart 26 days ago
A fantastic piece of theatre; stunning delivery. A standing ovation from me
Harry Neal 26 days ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
Mark Chatterton 27 days ago
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.
Cat B 27 days ago
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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mary 28 days ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a standing ovation. Not to be missed.
Steph Littleton 28 days ago
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.
Elaine Taylor 28 days ago
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
Colin Tidy 29 days ago
Incredible performance, great writing and great tribute; seen both of David’s shows and can only hope to see more in the future,
Ian Archer 30 days ago
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!
Laurence 30 days ago
An absolute tour de force!! Not to be missed.
Laura Desmond 30 days ago
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.
s brown 30 days ago
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.
Christopher Kushner 30 days ago
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!
John Ogilvie 30 days ago
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!
Geoffrey Procter 30 days ago
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.
Fiona Watson 30 days ago
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.
Jayne Clark 30 days ago
Amazing show a must see, gripping from start to finish
Ann Parker-Smith 31 days ago
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.
Michael Gray 31 days ago
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.
Hilary McEwan 31 days ago
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.
Catherine 32 days ago
Highly recommend this show - the energetic yet emotional performance holds you throughout. Well done indeed!
Hannah Grayson 32 days ago
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.
Steve McGill 32 days ago
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.
Eleanor 32 days ago
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.
Andrew Gregory 32 days ago
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.
Ollie 32 days ago
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.
Barry Adamson 32 days ago
The true story of his great uncle's experiences in WW2 told by David William Bryan. A powerful, dynamic performance that will move you.
Dominic Gillen 32 days ago
What a performance: powerful, moving, gripping. My cousin had heard he was good, understatement. Go to this.
Pat Brown 32 days ago
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.
Nick Buckley 32 days ago
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!
Michael or Ellen McKittrick 32 days ago
A must see. Brilliantly performed. First rate production values. Quite popular so get your tickets now!
Kevin & Lynne Roach 32 days ago
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.
Claudia 32 days ago
Incredible solo performance. Very moving story. Highly recommend! His other show is very different and fantastic, too.: "David William Bryan: Fragility of Man".
mike rowe 32 days ago
An amazing performance of a true storey well worth see.
Lucy Fowler 32 days ago
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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
James Brown 32 days ago
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!
Julie 34 days ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jack 36 days ago
A masterpiece: David William Bryan is thoroughly engaging. Highly recommend seeing his other show too: Fragility of Man.
Martin 36 days ago
Outstanding. Single-handed tour-de-force. Absorbing. Standing ovation given. Can't say more!
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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.