'Doors Close , They Never Lock'

Shands portrayal of an archetypal Scots man is undeniable. The tone in his voice, accompanied by his linguistic style made for an accurate performance

Gooch gives an impressive performance as a professional individual who cares a great deal about his career.

McCauley's command of the stage was undeniable . His poise and delivery throughout the performance was entirely impressive. His monologues were impressively refined, leaving the audience intrigued with every sentence.

With a refined and polished script accompanied by entirely convincing performances from all three actors, ‘Doors Close, They Never Lock’ left me very satisfied in my choice of how to spend a Friday evening.

Edinburgh Spotlight

Theatre production praised for great acting and strong writing

Great performances from all three actors helped make this production a real success, allied with some great writing.

The script is also full of neat observations and one-liners delivered in a colloquial style which helps add a local flavour, perfect for the Leith Festival

This was one the whole audience seemed to enjoy

there are some great monologues delivered by each character

This is one play to look out for when it returns to the city in August for the Edinburgh Festival

STV

'Michael Shand, who also wrote and directed the play, displays brilliant comic-timing as Moffat'

'The gripping plot and skilled acting make this play a pretty entertaining production'

Three weeks

Robin Red Breast

The environment seems unfitting for the occasion. This is mirrored by writer and director Michael Shand’s accurate portrayal in the stage set, using props appropriate to the performance.

Mark McKirdy appears comfortable on stage and commands the audience’s attention

Harry Gooch demonstrated excellent stage presence, and was entirely convincing in his role

Sean-Paul Cockburn successfully commands attention from the crowd

It was certainly something to get you thinking.

Edinburgh Spotlight

" Shand should be commended for his perceptive use of the three men as examples of widespread ideological frustration; a frustration that seems hard to channel due to failing job prospects, rising tax and a Tory government who couldn’t give a shit. "

TV Bomb

Cutting the Cord 

' Michael Shand's touching one-act take on the tensions between two strong Scottish women - an army wife and a precocious daughter when husband/dad is keeping the taliban wolf from the door - is insightful, pacey, and ultimately exhilarating '

Southern Reporter

Sara Rodger was very watchable 

Tonia Flynn came across comfortable in performance

Cutting the Cord is a solid, engaging and very human piece, presenting real concerns with a pleasingly light touch

Edinburgh Spotlight

Cutting the Cord certainly did deliver

a good script and a quality production

It was sparking with potential

for a show discussing such national concerns as war, recession and youth idleness, it certainly was able to highlight the affect these current issues can directly have upon individuals, and did so in a personable and humorous style that really worked

The mother was a very positive and likeable character, and was especially well-performed

the daughter was perfectly performed as a teenage daughter should be, and both characters complemented each other well throughout

This charming play makes for an entertaining 45 minutes

The Skinny