The sentence ‘Kyle Falconer from The View has co-written a musical about post-natal depression’ may feel like the product of a fever dream for those more aware of his career as an indie-rock tearaway. But the result is a charming story of young love which is insightful and deeply human, and which incisively charts unspoken truths about the difficulties many women face after pregnancy.

Described as gig theatre, No Love Songs is inspired by the real-life experiences of Falconer and his partner Laura Wilde, with the book written by Wilde and Johnny McKnight, and featuring songs from Falconer’s second solo album No Love Songs For Laura. It revolves around student Lana and struggling songwriter Jessie, who meet in a nightclub, have a one-night stand and, nine months later, find themselves with a baby boy. When Jessie’s band finds its feet and Lana is stranded with their child while he tours the US, the walls of depression and a failing body begin closing in on her. 

A sharp script finds light within this gruelling subject matter (childbirth is described as ‘like shiteing out Tannadice Stadium’), bolstered by vivid chemistry between leads Dawn Sievewright and John McLarnon. Sievewright, in particular, gives a layered performance, her face a masterpiece of comic elasticity which slowly morphs into a portrait of exhaustion. While its chocolate-box response to romance leaves a syrupy aftertaste, No Love Songs earns this sentimentality with a complex discussion of parenthood and likeable tunes evoking the highs and crashing lows of long-term relationships. 

No Love Songs, Traverse Theatre, until 27 August, times vary.