Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil

I'm telling you, some things are more important than winning.
A moving, funny, and deeply human story of family, football, and finding your way home.
When Sally returns to Cowdenbeath from her busy city life for her father's funeral, she's pulled back into the world of "The Blue Brazil" - the trials, triumphs, and unbreakable loyalty of a small-town football club with a big heart.
What begins as a flying visit becomes an unforgettable journey through grief, community, and the beautiful
game in all its glorious imperfection.
Gary McNair's brand-new stage adaptation of Ron Ferguson's beloved book is a funny, poignant, and packed with the spirit of Scottish football.
Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil is more than a play about the game - it's about belonging, loss, and the songs we carry with us.
This edition was published to coincide with the production at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh in May 2026.

Gary McNair is a multi-award-winning writer and performer from Glasgow who aims to challenge and entertain in equal measure. Previous shows include: Square Go, Jekyll and Hyde, Dear Billy, Donald Robertson is Not a Stand Up Comedian, A Gambler's Guide To Dying, Letters To Morrissey, and Locker Room Talk. He has three times won the Scotsman Fringe First Award and has toured the world with his plays. His work has been translated into multiple languages including Italian, Arabic and Japanese.