Review: My Romantic History, by D.C Jackson at Glasgow Tron Theatre
- Lisa in the theatre
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Tron Theatre Company's production of D.C. Jackson’s much-loved rom-com My Romantic History is at the Tron until Saturday 13 June, then it tours to community venues across Glasgow. Read my review of this brutally honest, sharp and cheeky comedy play below.
My Romantic History ★★★☆☆
Review: 09 June 2026 | Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Tron Theatre Company have restaged Scottish playwright D.C. Jackson's My Romantic History as part of their Spring / Summer 2026 season. A rom-com that explores modern dating, My Romantic History was first staged at the Traverse Theatre as part of the Edinburgh Fringe in 2010, and it has since enjoyed success across the globe. Now revived at the Tron, with panto legend Johnny McKnight in the director's chair, My Romantic History has been given a fun, fresh Tron Theatre makeover.
Single, thirty-something Tom (Lewie Watson) has started a new office job. He isn't interested in dating, but then he meets the gorgeous Amy (Rebecca Wilkie). After too many drinks at a work social, the two accidentally become romantically involved.
"Do you know how they get animals to breed in captivity?
They put them in the same cage."
The story is first told from Tom's point of view, then from Amy's. The contradictions in their accounts of their chaotic relationship is where the genius of this comedy play lies. It's a laugh-out-loud, painfully relatable reminder that office romances are always complicated and often questionable, and that our memory may not be as accurate as we believe.
Both Amy and Tom are carrying excess baggage from their past relationships. Snippets from these affairs are shown through hilarious vignettes, the cast taking on the roles of the ghosts of boyfriends and girlfriends past.
In the brisk, 90-minute runtime, My Romantic History quick-fires sharp one-liners and cringe-inducing awkward situations at the audience in scene after uproarious scene that demonstrates how both Tom and Amy's past romances are a hindrance to their future happiness. It's wonderfully entertaining, but the show can feel like a series of light comedy sketches rather than a narrative-driven play.
Rebecca Wilkie's Amy is a smart, exasperated, modern woman whose despair at the available male dating pool is authentic and hysterically tragic. While Lewie Watson's everyman Tom is exceptionally realised, though not always likeable.
Balamory's iconic Miss Hoolie Julie Wilson Nimmo is on top form as Amy and Tom's annoying colleague, Sasha, and a slew of other characters. Her comic delivery is priceless; Some of her characterisations border on unhinged! But then she shows just what a talented actress she is by expertly playing a sensitive, straight role mere seconds later. I can't imagine better casting for this play.
The cast do a remarkable job of portraying the many roles in Jackson's play, though with the three of them switching it up so frequently, it is difficult to keep track of all the characters and timelines. The stylish lighting wall at the back of the stage could've been better used to signal flashbacks or even particular characters.
Kenny Miller's clever yet unchanging set is a simple, modern office space with a large desk that doubles as various pieces of office equipment, a bar and even a bed. Coupled with Lizzie Powell's fun, bright lighting design and Ross Brown's impeccable sound design, the technical presentation of this revival of My Romantic History is impressive.
Johnny McKnight's direction is also perfectly judged. The fast-paced production sizzles with his trademark cheekiness, and there's plenty of fourth-wall breaking too as the characters confide in the audience. It all makes for a relaxed, entertaining evening out. With a few tender moments scattered throughout and a surprising, bittersweet ending, My Romantic History delivers a funny but brutally honest look at modern romance. ★★★☆☆
My Romantic History plays at the Tron Theatre until Saturday 13 June 2026 and then at venues across communities in Glasgow from 17 - 27 June.
Director Johnny McKnight says:
"Finding the right person to date is a nightmare; the only thing worse than dating is getting over who you’ve been dating. It’s why I think My Romantic History stands the test of time, and ultimately, feels ready for a revival. I have loved this play by D.C. Jackson since I first saw it over ten years ago. It’s a testament to the brilliance of the writing that it feels just as hilarious, fresh and brilliantly relatable all these years later. Get ready Glasgow, this truly is one of the greatest stage rom-coms ever written for Scotland!’
As part of Tron Theatre’s commitment to connecting with communities and to reach new audiences across the city, and in partnership with Glasgow Life’s community touring programme, My Romantic History will also embark on a community tour across Glasgow from 17-27 June, visiting community venues in Knightswood, Barrowfield, Whiteinch, Barmulloch, Bridgeton, Pollok, Penilee and a special performance at the Lodging House Mission. Find the full dates & venues list below.
See My Romantic History in Glasgow
Running time approx. 90 minutes with no interval.
Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB
Dates: Fri 5 - Sat 13 Jun, 7.30pm (matinees Thu 11, 1.30pm and Sat 13 Jun, 2.30pm)
Accessible performances:
Captioned: Thu 11 June, 7.30pm
British Sign Language interpreted: Fri 12 June, 7.30pm Audio Described: Fri 12 June, 7.30pm
MY ROMANTIC HISTORY – COMMUNITY TOUR DATES
17 JUNE, 2PM – KNIGHTSWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE, 201 Alderman Road, G13 3DD
18 JUNE, 7PM – NETHERTON COMMUNITY CENTRE, 358 Netherton Rd, G13 1AX
19 JUNE, 7PM – THE WHITEINCH CENTRE, 1 Northinch Street, G14 0UG
20 JUNE, 6.30PM - CASTLEMILK COMMUNITY CENTRE, 121 Castlemilk Dr, G45 9UG
23 JUNE, 7PM - BRIDGETON COMMUNITY LEARNING CAMPUS, 68 Dale St, G40 4TL
24 JUNE, 1PM – LODGING HOUSE MISSION (CLOSED PERFORMANCE), 35 East Campbell Street, G1 5DT
25 JUNE, 6.30PM - BARLANARK COMMUNITY CENTRE, 33 Burnmouth Rd, G33 4RZ
26 JUNE, 6PM - PENILEE COMMUNITY CENTRE, 10 Gleddoch Rd, G52 4BD
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