As the Government steps up its anti-terror propaganda it seems appropriate to see a show stepped in the mystery of the British Counter-Terrorism and delve beneath the ubiquitous phrase banded about by occupying forces everywhere – winning hearts and minds.
Hard To Believe tells the story of an Irish counter-terrorist officer during The Troubles in Northern Ireland and his confused quasi-religious upbringing. Through the course of this one-man show we learn the shady secrets of his convoluted childhood whilst getting glimpses at the secretive world of anti-terrorism.
While this is an engaging, emotive piece in its own right, you can’t help but wish for more of the cloak and dagger tales of espionage and less of the impressions and rantings of former family members, as the tales of battling with provos are undoubtedly more interesting than the religious bigotry of two Irish families tied by marriage. That said Hard To Believe is an impressive piece of theatre and this is mainly down to its presentation, which is impeccably flawless.
Though far from being a roof raising production, Hard To Believe is one of the more interesting plays on this year’s Fringe.
4/5
Richard Biggs
