Last night marked the 50th anniversary of Harry Beck’s passing. But who exactly was Harry Beck, and why does his life deserve celebration? London Transport Museum, in collaboration with Dan Colman Creative Ltd, has brought something truly special to Covent Garden with The Truth About Harry Beck. This lively new play celebrates the man behind the iconic London Tube map — a design that’s become an essential part of city life for Londoners and visitors alike. Running until 10 November at the museum’s Cubic Theatre, this production by The Natural Theatre Company blends history, humour, and personal drama in a way that makes Harry Beck’s story both fascinating and fun.
The Truth About Harry Beck at the Cubic Theatre – Photo by Mark Douet
The play is written and directed by Andy Burden and features Simon Snashall in the title role as Harry Beck, with Ashley Christmas as his devoted and quick-witted wife, Nora. The pair is absolutely brilliant together, their performances so spot-on that the audience stays glued to their seats for the entire one hour and 10 minutes — no intervals needed. In fact, the combination of Snashall’s portrayal of Beck’s obsessive genius and Christmas’s light-hearted yet emotionally grounded Nora keeps the energy high throughout. Their chemistry feels natural, and the actors expertly bounce off one another, making what could be a dry subject (transport design!) feel vibrant and human.
What really adds depth to this play is how it brings to life the story of something so familiar and yet so taken for granted — the Tube map. As someone who has carried around that little foldable pocket map for the past 26 years, it was wonderful to discover everything about its creation and Beck’s relentless pursuit of perfection. His diagrammatic design, introduced in 1933, revolutionised the way we navigate the capital, allowing millions of Londoners and tourists to make sense of an otherwise confusing maze of train lines and stations. The play makes you appreciate how Beck’s passion for clarity and simplicity has helped generations of people explore London, from the suburbs to the city centre.
The Truth About Harry Beck at the Cubic Theatre – Photo by Mark Douet
But the story goes beyond just the technical brilliance of Beck’s design. The Truth About Harry Beck also explores the personal cost of his obsession. Beck was a man determined to get it right, no matter the setbacks, and the play doesn’t shy away from showing how this affected his relationships — particularly with his wife, Nora. Yet, despite the tensions and frustrations, there’s a lot of warmth and humour in the script, which keeps the tone light without losing emotional depth.
The set, designed by Sue Condie, is both clever and functional, reflecting the straightforward beauty of Beck’s map while giving the actors room to shine. Minimalist yet effective, the design mirrors the clean lines and clarity that Beck aimed for in his work. Meanwhile, the script is filled with fun facts and little-known details about Beck’s life, making this more than just a biographical play — it’s a celebration of a man who shaped how we see London.
The play doesn’t just focus on Beck’s design genius; it dives into the quirks of his character, peppering the narrative with amusing anecdotes and some fictitious elements that only add to the charm. From his tussles with London Transport bosses to his unwavering commitment to improving the map over nearly 30 years, Beck’s story is told with a playful yet respectful tone. And for those of us who spend so much time zipping around London on the Tube, this play offers a fascinating look at the mind behind the map that guides us all.
The Truth About Harry Beck is part of a broader initiative by London Transport Museum to expand its cultural offerings, introducing theatre as a way to explore the rich history of London’s transport system. As CEO Elizabeth McKay points out, it’s a fantastic way to bring one of London’s lesser-known stories to life in the heart of Covent Garden’s theatre district.
If you’re a fan of the Tube, design, or just enjoy a good story, this is a play not to be missed. Performances run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and with the unique setting of the Cubic Theatre inside the museum, you can even make a day of it by exploring the museum’s impressive collection beforehand. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, The Truth About Harry Beck will give you a whole new appreciation for that little map you’ve been stuffing in your pocket for years.
London Mums’ Rating: 4.5/5
A delightful, witty, and educational trip through the tunnels of transport history.
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