Theatre REVIEW: Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil - ★★★★★

Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
10 minutes ago
2 min read

A moving, funny, and deeply human story of family, football, and finding your way home.

When Sally returns to Cowdenbeath from her busy city life for her father’s funeral, she’s pulled back into the world of “The Blue Brazil” – the trials, triumphs, and unbreakable loyalty of a small-town football club with a big heart. What begins as a flying visit becomes an unforgettable journey through grief, community, and the beautiful game in all its glorious imperfection.

Gary McNair’s brand-new stage adaptation of Ron Ferguson’s beloved book comes alive with original music performed live on stage by Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue), creating an evocative soundtrack that blends Fife grit with soaring emotion.

Funny, poignant, and packed with the spirit of Scottish football, Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil is more than a play about the game - it’s about belonging, loss, and the songs we carry with us.

Join us for a night where the roar of the crowd, the pull of home, and the power of music meet under the floodlights.

Where?

Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

Sandy (Age 12) - ★★★★★

"Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil is a show about a Scottish girl, Sally, exploring her complicated relationship with her father and his strange love for the local football club, Cowdenbeath FC. Her father’s final wish is for his ashes to be scattered on the pitch after a home win, while Sally just wants the whole experience to be over as quickly as possible.

As the story develops, however, Sally slowly becomes drawn into the club and its community or, as her dad calls it, “Mad Cowdenbeath disease”. The simple stage design, combined with the brilliant acting, creates a powerful and emotional performance. The live music performed onstage by Ricky Ross adds even more atmosphere and emotion to the production.

Overall, it’s a funny, heartfelt, and touching show performed by an extremely talented cast."

Sandy's Mum - ★★★★★

"Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil, based on the 1993 book of the same name by Ron Ferguson, is a hilarious yet heartwarming story of a young woman’s exploration of her relationship with her late father, and with her Fife hometown of Cowdenbeath, known for its coal mining industry and Cowdenbeath FC, nicknamed the Blue Brazil. Sally (played by Dawn Steele) endeavours to fulfil the final wish of her late father (played by Barrie Hunter) by scattering his ashes on Cowdenbeath FC’s ground following a home victory. In doing so she reflects on her life growing up in the community of Cowdenbeath, and the importance of belonging. The simple yet effective stage production, combined with excellent performances from both actors, gives the show an intimate feel, adding to its emotional impact. The original music by Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, performed live on stage, provides a deeper feeling of nostalgia. I hate football, but I absolutely loved this show."