The Ghost of White Hart Lane
August 4-11, 13-26 - Underbelly's The Dairy Room, Bristo Square Ask many supporters of my beloeved Tottenham Hotspur who came to love the game during the era of the Premier League about Spurs icons and legends then names like Harry Kane, Ledley King, Robbie Keane, David Ginola and Gareth Bale will be named. However, a legendary figure in Scotland’s own John White's surpassed their achievements with his legacy as "The Ghost of White Hart Lane" and role in the 1960-61 double-winning team alongside other greats helped define Tottenham's success. However, John’s success at Spurs in the famous lilywhite shirt is also synonymous with his tragic death when he was struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree during a round of golf in July 1964. His untimely death at the age of just 27 sent shockwaves through the football community but would carry through in his young son Rob White who was only months old at the time to this present day as a champion for his fathers story. Based on his Rob’s book “The Ghost of White Hart Lane” where he spoke with teammates and family to learn about the father that was taken away from him so young, Martin Murphy has adapted it into a fantastic play. Now it has been brought to Edinburgh, just miles from where John was born in Musselburgh fittingly. Cal Newman in this one-man show brings John to life, and for many their only sight of him would’ve been old black-and-white highlights from over 60 years ago. As we follow Cal telling John’s story from humble beginnings to Spurs via rejection by other clubs that would pave the way for him to cement himself in Spurs history we also experience Rob from a young infant in the aftermath of his father's death to present day. Newman brings real magic and excited energy to John White, someone who made it from East Lothian to the bright lines of White Hart Lane and loves performing on the big stage, I’m sure Newman and any actor can relate to this on some level and that can only add to the performance. The tragedy overhangs every moment of personal and professional success but the goals, and the determination we see from many Scottish footballers to prove people wrong and finding love flesh out an individual for many who will only be known by the freak tragedy. While "Dear England" the recent National Theatre play about Gareth Southgate and his England team faced mockery online when footage of the show was shared for its portrayal of football and its perhaps cringe-worthy tone, the story of Rob and John White offers the perfect antidote, grounding the emotional weight of football in a deeply personal and authentic narrative. The story of both Rob and John White is incredibly profound as it speaks to one of football's most enduring powerful strengths within families, legacy. Through Rob's journey to understand his father, the play highlights how footballing legacies are passed down even in tragic silence and 60 years on be told to a new generation of fans. I hope like Spurs you go marching on to see this as quickly as possible! 5/5 Lee Hutchison |