The Two Roberts Audiobook Review: Love and Lost Dreams in Bohemian London
Damian Barr's fictionalised biography, The Two Roberts, brings to life the largely forgotten story of artists Bobby MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun, whose 26-year relationship spanned from their student days in Glasgow to fame and obscurity in London. Narrated by theatre and voice actor Michael Abubakar, this audiobook vividly depicts their romance, artistic rise, and eventual fall from grace, set against a backdrop of war and societal change.
From Glasgow to Bohemian London: A Tale of Two Artists
The artists first met in 1933 as talented young students at the Glasgow School of Art, two working-class men from Ayrshire who lived, worked, and loved together at a time when homosexuality was illegal. Moving to London, they gained fame in the art world, nicknamed MacBraque and McPicasso, and were photographed by Vogue while drinking, partying, and spending beyond their means. Barr's account draws on known facts and creative licence, starting with them as students lying on a hillside above Glasgow, "curled like commas, naked in the nest they've rolled in the high golden grass."
In London, they lodged in the attic of a wealthy widow, subsisting on stew and forming a protective barrier, described by Barr as "as careful as scared people should be." Their rise in bohemian circles included friendships with figures like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, but the postwar shift towards abstract expressionism, led by artists such as Pollock, left them out of favour, broke, and obscure.
Narration and Emotional Depth
Michael Abubakar's narration adds tenderness and depth, portraying Bobby as charming and mercurial, while Robert is reserved and wary. This performance enhances the emotional journey of the couple, from their youthful dreams to their tragic descent. The audiobook, available via Canongate Books with a runtime of 11 hours and 39 minutes, offers a compelling listen that captures the essence of their bohemian lifestyle and the challenges they faced.
Broader Context and Legacy
This story not only highlights personal struggles but also reflects broader themes in art history and social change. As the art world evolved, the Two Roberts' figurative style fell out of fashion, illustrating how cultural shifts can impact artists' careers. Barr's work serves as a poignant reminder of their contributions and the love that sustained them through adversity.
In summary, The Two Roberts is a richly detailed audiobook that revives the legacy of these artists, blending fact and fiction to explore love, art, and loss in mid-20th century Britain.
