“Only poor people write great anthems”, a recurring quote, might be the slogan of this original play in Summerhall’s Red Lecture Theatre. A two-person show set against a stripped back set and pulsating soundtrack, it tells of two working-class siblings looking up to the stars as they struggle through family poverty in Belfast and finding their way in life, fuelled by a shared diehard love of generation-spanning rock music.
Telling this story through theatre gives the audience its own collective experience of the power of music. Brother and sister Jamie and Sarah tell their coming-of-age tale as soundtracked by Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, Springsteen, Sam Fender, and more. The never-seen presence of other characters gives the two a substantial amount of work to do. The actors themselves work with what they have and come with buckets of energy. The poignant moments draw big reactions, comic relief eases the intensity, while they work well with the playlist to navigate emotional ups and downs.
In an age of never ending cost-of-living crises where working class musicians struggle to break through a financially-gated arts industry, the themes are as important as ever. With its intentions clear from the start, Anthem for Dissatisfaction celebrates the electrifying experience of great music and sharing it with those you love.
Anthem for Dissatisfaction, Summerhall, until 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 7.35pm