The Truth About Harry Beck – Cubic Theatre: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden

Writer & Director: Andy Burden

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Charmingly Quaint“

3 / 5

Harry Beck had a solution for the tube map – before it was even identified as a problem. Noticing that the overall design wasn’t clear, with station interchanges near impossible to identify, he set about to recreate the tube map using a circuit diagram, dedicating his life to ensure that it was perfected.

Andy Burden’s tribute to Harry Beck is nicely done, creating a wonderfully educational narrative that expands on Beck’s work on the tube map. The audience are introduced to both Harry Beck (Simon Snashall) and his wife Nora (Ashley Christmas) who reminisce on the time and effort that went into the finished product. The pair break the fourth wall throughout the show, as they tell the story through Harry’s various rejections he’s had over the years. Snashall is likeable as Beck, friendly and concentrated, he gives a thoughtful, respectful performance, full of expression to the tube map maestro. Christmas plays various different characters in addition to Nora, from blunt bosses, to eager secretaries – each of her depictions are humorous and enjoyable, with varying accents and mannerisms to make them easily distinguishable.

Full of facts, there are some interesting tidbits that are told outside of Harry’s life, such as the rival companies that worked against each other to create the tube lines, and the various important inventions that have been made over the years. Sue Condie’s set design adds an inviting, homely feel but a lot more could be done from a visual standpoint to help grab the attention of the audience, especially seeing as the entire show revolves around a design! Initially the original tube map is shown, but it’s so small that you can barely appreciate what changes Beck ended up making, which mutes his achievements somewhat. It would be equally as wonderful if each of his iterations were enlarged and clearly visible at each stage that they are signposted in the show, to help bring his impressive work to life and truly show how much of a mark he actually made on the map. One enjoyable, visually attractive scene is when ribbons are used to indicate the tube lines, which makes an impactful point about the difficult task he had at hand. 

This show opened on 18^th September – 50 years to the day Harry Beck passed away, this is a fitting day, in the fitting location of the Cubic Theatre at the London Transport Museum. It’s not the most action packed or gripping, but it’s charmingly quaint and filled with warmth to pay homage to Beck, and it will definitely come to mind next time you’re figuring out your route on a tube map!

Runs until 10^th November 2024