Harry Beck was a draughtsman in the Signalling Department at London Transport whose job it was to create diagrams that simplified electrical circuits, but it was his curiosity in the confusion caused by the map of the Underground system that made him famous. Eventually, writes Michael Holland.
Harry was one of a long line of draughtsmen and designers who had a go at improving or simplifying the map and it was in 1931 that he submitted his version, a version that ignored geography but was more diagrammatical. Alas, Frank Pick, London Transport’s CEO, thought it was ‘too radical’.
Nora, his long-suffering wife, who Harry had met in work, told him to try again and in 1933 his design, which was more technical than creative, had more success.
Harry’s map was not about geographical accuracy but more to do with getting from one station to another; London Transport printed 500 folding pocket maps for passengers and waited for feedback.
It became an instant hit for its simplification of the previous maps so London Transport printed another 750,000. Harry was given five guineas as a bonus.
As London grew and stations were added on and lines got extended, Harry Beck’s design was always in need of an update, but always followed the format he laid down in the early 30s. Sadly, other designers were credited.
The Truth About Harry Beck is Andy Burden’s play that gives Harry his proper recognition for creating one of the most iconic, most used and most recognised designs of the 20th century, because Harry was largely ignored during his lifetime and his contribution to London being seen as one of the best cities in the world was not acknowledged until after his death. Since then, however, his name has become known by almost everyone who uses London Underground and by people all around the world.
Simon Snashall(Harry) and Ashley Christmas (Nora) play out the Becks’ lives together and paint a picture of how Harry never stopped working on his diagram (‘It’s not a map,’ he would say).
Their tale is told here in a whimsical fashion even though their story is a serious one. There is a wonderful scene where Harry wants to demonstrate his colour scheme to Nora so uses ribbons to designate the various lines and their directions; Walthamstow ends up at the top of the living room door while a teapot becomes the Elephant & Castle on the floor. This section of the play involves some audience participation and draws out all the London Underground enthusiasts in the crowd.
The actors give excellent performances that keep us attentive at all times. We come to know Harry and the sort of man he is, while Ashley Christmas plays everyone else that touches on his life. And there is great direction from the author of the play, Andy Burden, who developed his own passion for the London Underground map as a young boy.
The theatre is in the middle of the London Transport Museum so you get the added bonus of seeing some of the old tube carriages as you make your way through.
London Transport Museum, Cubic Theatre, Covent Garden, WC2E 7BB until 10th November. Times: Friday – 8.00pm, Saturday – 1.30pm, 5.30pm, 8pm, Sunday – 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Admission: £24.50, £35.
Booking: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/theatre
