Woodcutter at theSpace Review

There’s something incredibly intimate about Woodcutter. What begins as a man clearing out his late parents’ Glasgow home quickly becomes something much bigger .

This is a funny, heartfelt and deeply personal exploration of family, grief and what it really means to leave a home behind.

John Anthony Gorman handles the one-man production with complete ease. From the moment he steps on stage, he has the audience on his side, creating a relaxed connection that makes you feel less like you’re watching a performance and more like you’re being invited into his memories.

And there are plenty of memories to unpack. Each room and every seemingly insignificant object open the door to another story, from childhood hilarity and family traditions to the much harder moments that come with loss. Gorman finds humour in the most unexpected places, and some of the biggest laughs come from the wonderfully specific details of growing up in a Glasgow family.

But underneath the comedy there’s always something more. This is clearly a story Gorman is deeply connected to, and that honesty gives Woodcutter its heart. As the boxes fill and the house begins to empty, there’s a real sense that some things simply can’t be packed away.

Gorman proves himself a captivating storyteller and a hugely likeable performer, comfortably carrying the audience through the laughter and into the more emotional moments without ever forcing them.

A funny, touching and unmistakably personal production. Woodcutter is a beautifully human piece of theatre about the memories we attach to people, places and possessions and the parts of home that stay with us long after we’ve left.

Woodcutter plays at Triplex Studio at theSpace until 29 August.

★★★★ 

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Written by Liam for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.