When we were young
Written by Liam Lambie
5 Stars
This is the book of the very successful stage play of the same name.
It covers all the brutality of growing up where everything in life is predetermined by your environment, Join a gang no real choice, fight other gangs no real choice, get drawn in deeper and deeper no real choice, carry a blade no real choice.
This is so well structured and written from the perspective of Mooney relaying the story to a Barman in a pub. The kind of Barman who has seen and heard it all too many times before but is just as attentive.

As Mooney rambles through his sad life of drink, drugs, fights and deaths the cloak of despair surrounds you squeezing tighter and tighter till you feel as trapped as Mooney himself.

There is a lot of humour in this book, There needs to be and you will laugh out loud before returning to the harsh gangland life.

This book could be read in one sitting but the structure and short chapters mean it is easy to pick up and put down at your leisure.

This is a story about having no choice but the message is there is a choice read this book and make sure you don’t choose Mooney’s way.

This is a must read book that you will read over and over again I cannot recommend it highly enough
Derek
Head judge Derek awards

When we were young
The Pavilion Theatre
Glasgow 12/9/26
Reviewed by Derek Head judge
Derek Awards

5 Stars
This is the full version of the play that was at the Edinburgh Fringe and the second time that I have seen it.
Glasgow cut open to the bone by the gangs and blades they carry. This gang lead by Mooney is just one of many this is the brutality of life that deals you the wrong cards. No prospects and no hope. Everything predetermined by your surroundings. Violent Dads, Drugs, Poverty, Alcohol and the raw facts of proving yourself as a hardman.
This play brutally covers all of this and more the downward spiral of the characters is brilliantly portrayed and there is no weak links in the cast.
Their hopes and dreams cut from them just like the lockback knives carried by the gangs that open the flesh of rival gang members.
Their is humour in this play lots of humour and you will laugh and laugh before the stark realism hits you again.
This is a modern Shakespeare, Hard hitting brutal and raw interjected with bouts of humour to soften the countless blows you're hit with.
The characters fears arise throughout but each is supressed by tough talk and bravado. The Darkness of this play slowly covers you like a cloak snuffing out the light of hope for the characters that you empathise with but glad you don't live beside.
There is death in this play and lots of it. Sad and unnecessary we all want our own death to be peaceful perhaps if more people see this play some death may be more peaceful.
Brilliant writing by Liam Lambie and with exception acting from this acting the entire cast. This is a modern classic and a must see play which should be made into a film.
I am going to break with theatre tradition The story and the acting make this a 6 star performance

The Olive Garden is Oban's best kept gem.

They are slightly hidden away next to the train station, but so glad I went in.

Decor and vibe, friendly and welcoming. Background music: vibrant and not to loud. Staff: friendly and very attentive. I was on a tour, no plans & took a chance on our drivers recommendation... I am so glad I did.

I was seated without fuss even though it was 19:30 and really busy & no reservation.

Wine selection was varied and suited the menu. The food was outstanding!!!

For a starter I went with the Confit Garlic & Heritage Tomato Bruschetta. This was simply the best one I have ate. Tomatoes, smally but fully cooked. Bread so soft you almost didn't need a knife. You could taste the garlic, but it wasn't pungent or over powering... as well as a visual delight.

The main I went with a Venison Ragu Pappardelle. Just thinking of this I am hungry again...

Slow cooked dice venison, red wine, tomatoes, baby onion, garlic and herb sauce with pappardelle (long flat) pasta. First thing, really glad the waiting staff warned me about the warm plate. Many don't and you could feel the heat radiating off the plate. So gave it a few minutes to cool off and really enjoyed a glass of red wine. A merlot syras that was very easy to drink. Fruity soft and really went well with the meal once I started. Again, knife almost not required the whole way through. Pasta, easy to chew. The venison was melt in mouth soft. Not nearly as gamey as I thought it would be. The sauce was rich, but a perfect blend... I can't rate this meal highly enough, The chef is simply incredible.

Desert... Disclosure - diabetic, but said shelve the rules & went with the tiramisu with cream... Decadent piggy heaven on a plate. Not the store based rubbish many places try to fob off as real... This was a real desert experience, I would say worth the risk for a diabetic. Americano coffee with milk to wash it down and finish the evening again, brilliant. Strong but not over powering or burnt.

The staff themselves work as a team. No bickering or ego - Shaun and Ruby were the waitering staff and again, just brilliant. I also found out it was a family run business, not a chain. Joan is the manager and her husband is the chef.

In a nutshell, anyone that doesn't visit the restaurant when visiting Oban is missing an incredible experience. The prices are fair, the food incredible. The menu is varied as well. Easily something for everyone. Mediterranean Seafood, but a full mix of everything - not just seafood. I rate them a minimum of 5 stars in all categories and would go so far as to say hope on train and head there yourself. They are that good.

Regards

Mark/Derek Awards


Why I stuck a flare up my arse for England
Garrick Theatre
London
21st June 2026
5 Stars
Review by Derek
Head Judge Derek Awards.

This is a hilariously funny yet dark one man play brilliantly written and performed by Alex Hill.

Its a journey that starts innocently enough but leads you down a path many would choose not to go down the means of transport is football particularly two teams AFC Wimbledon and England.

The protagonist Billy Kinley tells of times with his best mate Adam, starting with childhood memories with a signed Bobby Moore football to leaving school, work and their first football matches.

The journey darkens with the meeting of a group of lads in a pub playing pool lead by their leader Winegum. This chance meeting will lead to drugs, football violence and death. Billy will be happy at first he meets in a club the waitress who works in the café he and Adam meet at for pre match breakfast, her Name is Daisy and they start going out.
Winegum's influence becomes more overwhelming to Billy and Adam with drugs and football violence on repeat it becomes a ritual.
Adam starts to distance himself missing games as time goes on.
Billy loses his girlfriend Daisy after England loses to Italy at the Euro finals and Billy sees Winegum for the small man he actually is as he picks on an Italian fan celebrating with his young son.

Then the news Adam is dead.
There is so much more to this play than I have revealed here.
It is a must see play. This could be made into a film it has that much depth similar to the novel Fever Pitch. To paraphrase a famous commentor 'There is a Standing ovation they think its all over'.
Not for this play New York beckons then the rest of the world.
This is a modern day classic which I can not recommend highly enough.

Your emotions will run high especially at the last parts of the play. The acting is that powerful.
Oh and I'll let you find out why he stuck that flare up his arse.