Cal Newman is heading to Edinburgh in a one man show with two characters. Playing both John White (Scottish footballer who earned the nickname the play is named for – The Ghost of White Hart Lane) and John’s son, Rob White, who grew up not knowing his dad after John was killed when Rob was only 5 months old. The show explores the lives of both men, finding their feet in the world from youth to adulthood and how they identify with who they are and where they came from. We ask Cal about tackling two lifetimes in 60 minutes in the 60th year since the passing of John White, and why it doesn’t matter if we don’t know much about football.
What is The Ghost of White Hart Lane about?
The play is about the life of legendary Spurs player, John White, and how he came to tragically pass after being hit by lightning at the young age of 27 in the 1960s. Alongside this true story, we also follow his son, Rob, as he grows up without a dad, trying to connect with him and find his way as an adult living in the shadow of a giant he never knew. It’s a beautifully written piece about following your dreams and the tiny decisions we make that have a massive impact on our lives. What initially attracted me to the play was the relationship between Rob and his dad, or lack-there-of, and how that impacts a young boy’s perception of masculinity and what it means to be a man. Masculinity is a huge theme throughout the play, and what Martin Murphy, the writer, does so well is depict a very healthy, positive portrayal of masculinity, which I think is a subject many writers can be scared to explore.
What was working with Rob White Like? How did it feel to play someone that you have met/worked with and also his father?
It’s a surreal thing in a lot of ways because I met Rob on day 2 of rehearsals and I was really nervous both to meet him and for him to watch me perform, because I hadn’t figured out all that much yet in terms of playing him and his dad. But we had a lovely conversation where he basically gave me the advice and permission to make it my own and not to worry too much. It was a very emotional first meeting actually, he was super kind and was open to letting me ask him about his life and, having also lost a parent myself, we kind of connected with each other on that front too. I think there’s something you instantly understand about another person when you’ve both lost a parent. The next time I met him, he very kindly let me try on John White’s actual shorts that he would have worn while at Spurs which was another very surreal but very special moment.
How have you prepared for these roles and how do you distinguish between the two characters?
They’re very similar in a lot of ways. I mean, in real-life they look the spitting image! Rob has been open about how he felt he inherited his shyness from his dad too. However, I also think they differ in the sense that John always felt he was being put down by others or that he was too small and not enough. So I wanted to make him a very expansive, excitable puppy-dog of a person who was always trying to take space to combat his own insecurities. Whereas Rob felt like much more of an observer, a wiser soul who was happy to not have the limelight in the same way John did. The accent also helps!
In terms of preparation, it was just about absorbing as much Spurs history as possible, watching videos, reading articles etc. I wanted to physically resemble John a lot more than I do so I started hitting the treadmill, spending more time on cardio than I usually would, and getting comfortable with running because John White was a huge runner. I’ve also dyed my hair which I’ve never had to do for a role before. In terms of the accent, I’ve had lots of help from Scottish friends who have spent time recording my lines for me to listen to and going over bits of the script. I owe them a lot of ‘thank you’ beers, that’s for sure.
Have you been to Fringe before? What do you expect it to be like and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
No, I’ve never been to Fringe, but I’ve always wanted to! I think it’s going to be a very surreal experience, being amongst all that talent and creativity whilst also being able to share this amazing script with people and do the thing that I love the most before clocking off to see another show straight after. I think it’s going to feel like a little bubble where nothing else matters in a way.
I’m so, so excited to say the least, and I hope to make lots of friends and see some really life-changing theatre. I’m also trying to mentally prepare for how tiring it’s going to be but, you know what, I think it’s going to be a great show and an amazing experience for everyone involved.
Do you have a favourite moment in the show and how will it make people feel?
I do. Rob and I also share a belief in things happening for a reason and the universe giving us signs. There are a couple of moments in this play, based on true moments may I add, where I got goosebumps the first time I read them, because it confirms my theory that there is more to the universe than we know. That’s all I’ll say as I don’t want to spoil anything but just look out for those magic moments. I hope the audience comes away feeling very life-affirmed. Or not, it’s all subjective in the end. I just know that I felt a very life-affirming feeling after reading The Ghost of White Hart Lane for the first time. I hope that translates to the audience too.
The Ghost of White Hart Lane will be performed at 1.25pm in Underbelly Bristo Square (Dairy Room) from 31st July – 26th August (Not 12th)
Booking Link: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/the-ghost-of-white-hart-lane
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