Strong Arm

Roland Poland has an unfortunate name. Overweight as a child, it didn’t take much imagination for bullies to make his life hell. After one particularly embarrassing incident, Roland joins a gym. Roland will become strong, strong enough to reshape his body, strong enough to reshape the world.

Roland’s transformation from human beanbag to Arnold Schwarzenegger is wittily told. There are some great lines, especially when parodying the bombastic language of supplements and training regimes. In addition to writing the monologue, Finlay Robertson convincingly embodies Roland as both obese and ubermensch, despite his own slight frame. He gives Roland a heart as big as his biceps.

This is commanding work. It is debateable how much insight Strong Arm gives into the world of body-building, however, Roland’s obsession will speak to anyone that has tried to significantly change themselves. Strong Arm nails the nuclear fire of anger it takes to break yourself down, then remake yourself as something stronger.

Unfortunately, there are problems. Roland may wish to be ‘hardcore,’ but at the centre he remains too soft and sweet to be believable. Also the play moves back and forward in time in jerking motions that no personal trainer would allow in the gym. What’s more, by the end Strong Arm collapses under the weight of its imagery, struggling to combine weightlifting, masturbation and the periodic table into something coherent.

Nevertheless this is an impressive debut from Robertson, presented as part of the Old Vic New Voices Edinburgh season. Lean and powerful, Strong Arm is evidence of a young talent flexing his muscles.