The London Transport Museum is set to bring a captivating new play to its on-site Cubic Theatre, celebrating the life and work of Harry Beck, the man behind the iconic London Underground Tube Map. The play, titled The Truth About Harry Beck, promises to take audiences on an immersive journey into the mind and passion of one of London’s most influential designers.
Harry Beck, a name synonymous with the London Underground, revolutionized the way millions navigate the city with his groundbreaking diagrammatic Tube map. But what drove Beck to create such a design, and at what personal cost? The play delves deep into Beck’s life, exploring his obsession with perfecting the map and the impact this had on his personal relationships, particularly with his wife, Nora.
Written and directed by Andy Burden, The Truth About Harry Beck is the culmination of years of research and passion. Burden first conceived the idea for the play over 16 years ago, inspired by Ken Garland’s book Mr Beck’s Underground Map, which brought Harry Beck’s story into the public eye. Garland, a designer and historian, provided Burden with invaluable insights into Beck’s life, including personal letters and anecdotes that shed light on Beck’s relentless pursuit of the perfect schematic map.
Speaking about the play, Burden shared, “I became obsessed with how Beck meticulously drew and redrew the map, constantly refining its layout over nearly 30 years. His dedication was both inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking. This play is not just about the map itself but about the man behind it and the sacrifices he made in his quest for perfection.”
The play first saw a short run in September 2021 at the Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Studio. Sadly, Ken Garland, who played a pivotal role in the play’s creation, passed away just months before its debut. Burden expressed his gratitude and pride in seeing the play now take center stage at the London Transport Museum, a venue that perfectly complements the story of Beck’s enduring legacy.
The Truth About Harry Beck promises to be a unique blend of real-life accounts, uncovered anecdotes, and creative storytelling, offering both transport enthusiasts and general audiences a deeper understanding of the man who changed the way we see London. The play is set to enhance the museum experience, keeping Harry Beck’s name and contributions alive for future generations.
Details on the full cast and creative team are yet to be announced, but the anticipation is already building for what is sure to be a must-see production in London’s cultural calendar. Tickets are available now here.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.