Live Commentary

Based on the award winning bestselling memoir of the same name, the It’s Not Where You Start live show is a powerful, uplifting, and deeply personal storytelling experience that blends theatre, autobiography, and live performance with projected animation and film.

It tells the extraordinary true story of award winning actor Scott Kyle’s journey from foster care to foster carer, from Glasgow’s back streets to award-winning stages and Hollywood film sets — including the rise, fall, and return of Singin’ I’m No a Billy, He’s a Tim, and the moment Scott almost turned down the chance to work with Harrison Ford.

At its heart, It’s Not Where You Start explores resilience, identity, second chances, and the courage it takes to begin again — all delivered with warmth, humour, and emotional honesty.

The show has proven particularly effective with venues that engage with community groups, care-experienced audiences, and those interested in real-life storytelling, theatre, and film.

2027

“Force adversaries to talk and you may achieve peace.”

What happens when you lock up two sworn rivals on the day of the big match?

Fireworks!!! Then something extraordinary.

Winner of the coveted Stage Award for Acting Excellence and hailed with multiple ★★★★★ reviews at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Des Dillon’s award winning play has been touring for over 20 years and continues to resonate powerfully with contemporary audiences.

Alan Chadwick described it as “Scottish theatre’s greatest success story of recent times” while Joyce McMillan of The Scotsman called it “One of the shortest and most gripping two-hour shows in current Scottish theatre.”

While the play begins with confrontation, it evolves into something far more universal. Through blistering humour, raw energy and emotional depth, it becomes an allegory for peace processes across the world.

A story about dialogue, understanding and the possibility of reconciliation in divided communities.

It is a powerful reminder that when adversaries are forced to talk, change can happen.

As powerful a piece of comedy as anything else on at the Fringe. - Thom Dibdin - The Stage