Team Viking is the first story of a three-part trilogy and is performed brilliantly by James Rowland.

James weaves a warm and moving story of three childhood friends and their families.

The three friends set off into life only to be brought back to the very sad reality that one of them will die rather suddenly.

It’s raw, brilliantly funny, as well as being delightfully dark in places; all of which James acknowledges could be wrong, but hey, what the heck, it is what it is, as we jump back on our emotional rollercoaster ride.

The story is accompanied by the unique building of a live loop soundtrack that is constructed as we move through the various chapters in the story.

Apart from being a very cleverly delivered tale that keeps you totally entertained, it involves a proper Viking burial, complete with burning boat – what’s not to love.

At the end the audience is left wondering was it part-confessional, part-autobiographical or is it a very well-told story?

I would recommend that you be the judge.

Talk about emotional whiplash!

This one-man show made me laugh, cry and at one point, almost made me walk out.

This show will hit home for people who have lost a loved one.

The performance by James Roland was pretty compelling, he was able to switch gears between pretty raw emotional monologues to entertaining anecdotes.

The show’s narrative was cleverly told, with a circular structure, where payoffs were subtly set up throughout the show.

If you like good storytelling or a minimalist fringe theatre feel – then this is the show to you!

James paints a picture of a boy growing up and his connection with his two best friends.

He tells a beautiful story of family life and friendship.

The story makes you think, but mostly laugh.

It makes you remember the funny stories you have of your family and fun times you spend with your friends.

Quirky. Heartfelt. Hilarious. Morbid. Profound. Delightfully a little dark.

Have you ever heard a story so full of soul that it becomes a part of you?

Something you carry around, fighting the urge to tell everyone you meet.

Because isn’t that just life – a collection of our best stories we carry around, waiting to tell those we deem worthy?

Well tonight it was an absolute privilege to be worthy of James Rowland’s story: Team Viking.

It is the first of a three-part trilogy and unequivocally the greatest story I’ve ever heard.

In my honest opinion, James is a master of his craft, finding the perfect balance of comedic delivery and prophetic emotion.

This is a story we all know too well, a story of friendship, cancer and dealing with loss.

However, James takes us all by the hand and offers us laughs, hugs, Lynx Africa, supportive shoulders and a little pyromania.

The nostalgia is not lost on anyone – and we appreciate every minute of it because we have all had to deal with loss at one point or another.

Team Viking is a wonderful story and production and it has something for absolutely everyone.

I would definitely recommend going to see any of the three shows James is performing at this year’s Brisbane Festival.

You will feel privileged being in the presence of a storyteller with an impeccable eye for detail and linking all elements, including ripped pieces of clothing, together in a lyrical feat worthy of any conductor.

This show was a brilliantly funny, heartwarming and slightly dark surprise.

The one man show Team Viking, is part of a trilogy of plays – Songs of Friendship.

It is the story of three childhood friends Sarah, Tom and James – Team Viking – who grow together into adults.

It is the story of life… Endurance, friendship, love and death. James Rowland’s performance was captivating and nothing short of genius.

For one man to be able to capture and hold an audience so completely, is a true feat and a testament to James’s talents both as an actor and writer.

James is part of the Tangrum Theatre Company which is ‘dedicated to creating theatre that tells life-affirming stories full of hope’ and this show certainly delivered on that vision.

In the vein of ‘Four Weddings And A Funeral’ the audience is taken on a journey through the ups and downs of friendship using humour with a slightly dark bent.

There is a little bit of singing from James and a sole prop – a Viking’s helmet.

The show relies – for the most part – on James’s mastery of storytelling.

He well and truly delivers, transporting his audience into the lives of Sarah, Tom and James.

So much so, that the characters become incredibly real and you are left wondering if this is actually a true story.

James won’t say and leaves his audience guessing.

Team Viking is seventy minutes of heartwarming entertainment that induces laughter, gasps, goosebumps, heart palpitations and the shedding of a tear or two.

After seeing part one I can’t wait to see parts two – A Hundred Different Words for Love – and three – Revelations.

If you’re in need of a laugh and a bit of hope I can assure you you will find it in Team Viking.