It’s Not Where You Start
Performed, Written By Scott Kyle
Review by Bookmarks and Stages – Louise Cannon
Scott Kyle is an award-winning Scottish actor who has worked with many of the greats on the likes of ‘Outlander and even Harrison Ford in a Whisky ad and more… He is also known for ‘Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim’ and ‘Angel’s Share’.
It’s Not Where You Start is spoken word with a difference. It is a mix of Scott Kyle, the creator and who’s life you hear about through his spoken word on stage and through some animation. It’s a different way of showing and telling about life.
The animation elements carry Scott Kyle’s life story along with depth, firmly gives a sense of time and place, conveyed natural articulation in both the voice-over and when he, himself enters the stage. Together, it becomes a compelling talk for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
I will mention here that the animation and voice-over has won awards between 2024 and 2025.
Animation wouldn’t work for every spoken word show, but for this, it does. It brings a different perspective and a depth in which people can truly visualise and imagine certain times in, not just his life, but what was happening socially, especially in Glasgow. You really see how the city has changed since the 70’s/80’s. When it comes to elements of his own life, you get a feel of emotion, which backs up what is said, in-person on the stage, which adds an even stronger. emotive element to this show. There’s also nicely injected humour that gives the deepness and dark times a lift.
The animation is smartly put together, with meaningful words being highlighted in quite an effectively punchy manner. It makes me think of the graphic comic genre in some ways, but with movement.
Scott Kyle gives a brave and assured performance talk, but comes across as very grounded about all his achievements and tells it in a way that shows that you can share achievements, without being precocious or big-headed about it. That you can start in a certain position in life and end up in a completely different place, in this case, a better place than how it all began. The talk is impassioned and heartfelt, which in turn becomes compellingly emotive and inspirational as he talks about his challenging upbringing, discovery and huge changes in his life path that’s created a positivity for this working class guy.
He has a book out called It’s Not Where You Start… which is sold at the show, where you can get it signed and in major bookshops.
He also has other shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including ‘Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim’.
You can see find more details here: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/it-s-not-where-you-start
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 