We Have A Dream (Fringe Review) 4 Stars

4 Stars

The disappointment of the World Cup in 2026 had a dress rehearsal when Scotland went to the Euros in 2024 in Germany. Fast Snail Productions take us on a lad’s trip to this tournament where four young men, nearly in their thirties, face up to life and their future.

And so, Cammy (Adam Egar), Stevie (Robbie Hall), Tam (Dylan Frew) and James (Jordan Monks) are off on a trip of a lifetime. Individually they face a cheating fiancé, the end of life, impending fatherhood and the loss of a dad. They meet free-spirit Andrea (Laura Dopel) whose individual outlook leads them to necessary soul searching. 

The lad’s trip is a well worn setting for drama. On this occasion, the trip is made by four boys who met at the age of seventeen in Student Halls, bound by their enthusiasm for the national game.

They are typical of any friendship group with simmering tensions and behind your back affectionate commentary. Arriving with tickets ruined by Fairy Liquid in Tam’s bag, they need to score some briefs for one of the three games to fulfil Stevie’s overriding desire to have them all together watching Scotland at a major competition. They dodge a bullet with the ruined Scotland v Germany tickets, where we get pumped 5-1. The rest we’ll leave spoiler free.

As a theatrical framing device, the Euros work; it gives focus and purpose. Secrets abound and emerge slowly. Skillful writing gives depth to each character without losing the comic energy. The characters are recognisable and believable; we can relate to these lads as we shall know them. I felt Andrea’s reappearance at the end to update us of the group’s progress in life a bit unnecessary. But generally, the tone, flow and structure are well handled by director, Jorgie Buchan. 

We Have a Dream captures the challenges of manhood and to remind us of the faith, courage and kindness of friendship, even in the face of supporting Scotland – the stuff of nightmares!

We Have A Dream is at Annexe at theSpace @Symposium Hall from 7th till 15th August