Words: Chloe Shimmin

4 Stars

After a critically-acclaimed premiere run in December 2023, Same Team is back at the Traverse. This time to delight Edinburgh Fringe audiences. Developed with and inspired by the stories of the Street Soccer Scotland’s women players – this show is about football. And also, not about football.

It tells the story of five women, all with their own stories and personal circumstances, as they join together to compete in the Homeless World Cup. Football unites these women, providing them support, community and a purpose. We reflect on the ability of sport to change lives. It connects us, challenges us, motivates us, exhausts us and inspires us – no matter our circumstances.

These character’s stories, inspired by real women and real experiences, are nuanced and relatable. There are many reasons why one might end up needing support from organisations like “The Change Centre.” Our ability to see all sides of these characters, both the good and the bad, helps us understand the humanity that unites us all. Hannah Jarrett-Scott is by far the comic gold of the piece, who keeps the laughs coming throughout. Chloe-Ann Tylor does an excellent job as Captain, gluing the cast together as much as her character glues the team.

It’s fair to say Same Team celebrates Scottish identity, complete with the audience singing the Scottish National Anthem and “Yes, Sir! I Can Boogie…” Thanks to Lizzie Powell’s creative lighting design and Bryony Shanahan’s direction, Same Team somehow manages to convey the riled up rowdiness of a football match, while profoundly moving you with storytelling.

Same Team is an important story with bags of heart. Joyful, hilarious, moving – it is a show about community and the role sport can play in supporting our lives.

Same Team
Traverse Theatre, Traverse 1
Times vary
Aug 13-18, 20-25