The Prince is the story of the all-too brief life and career of Celtic goalkeeping legend Johnny Thomson. It traces Johnny's roots from the coal mines of his native Fife to the pinnacle of success as the last line of defence for one of the most famous clubs in world football.
Johnny signed for Celtic in 1926 at the age of 17 and went on to make close to 200 appearances for the club, winning two Scottish Cup winners medals before his untimely death in 1931, the result of a tragic accident whilst playing for the club he came to love.
In those four short years he established a reputation for himself as The Prince of Goalkeepers and franked a legacy that endures to this day. What was it about Johnny that inspired such fame? What was his life like as he swapped the quiet village of Cardenden for the Empire's second city, Glasgow? And who were the people who were closest to him and understood his thoughts and dreams?
Set against the background of Scotland at the end of the Roaring Twenties, a time of class division and social inequality, The Prince answers these questions and celebrates the legend on the 80th anniversary of Johnny Thomson's passing.
Bio-play about Celtic icon makes for a fascinating slice of football history.
As theatre, The Prince is rough-and-ready.
King's Theatre, Glasgow from Monday September 5, 2011, until Saturday September 10, 2011. More info: www.theambassadors.com/kings/
RSS feed of Theatre reviews