About A Bogle
★★★☆☆ Folklore comes alive
The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club (Venue 241a): Fri 7 – Wed 19 Aug 2026
Review by Erin Frances Speirs
Tying Scottish folklore in with folk songs, About A Bogle from Scotch Bonnet Productions follows two young musicians on their trek across the Isle of Kilmarc to perform at a music festival.
If only the mischievous shapeshifting Bogle wasn’t besting them at every turn…
Writers Ewan Jardine and Heather Linn’s romp across the fictional Scottish island reveals the unraveling of the relationship of the musicians Hannah and Harris – long-term besties and bardic collaborators played by Alex Stewart and Innis Thorborn who also wrote the original songs.
Innis Thorborn and Alex Stewart. Screengrab: Æ
It’s clear the pair’s relationship is contentious, with much being left unsaid. Stewart’s Hannah is bombastic and brash, keeping vital information from Thorborn’s anxious Harris who, often with annoyance and to his own detriment, goes along with Hannah’s plans
Hannah’s new stealing streak leads the pair to be consistently ambushed on their journey by the shapeshifting Bogle (Ewan Jardine) – a mythological trickster in Scottish and Northern English mythology.
Stewart and Thorborn have excellent on-stage chemistry. Stewart plays Hannah’s strong conviction with hilarity and grace, contrasting with Thorborn’s nervousness as Harris, which he plays with comedic ease.
Their chemistry is clearest when they are at their most sensitive, although they sometimes falter with their comedic timing.
bombastic yet devious
Jardine is bombastic yet devious in his role as the menacing Bogle, appearing as numerous guises, thanks to his shapeshifting magic: A traveling charm salesman; a creepy wee boy; a smoking scarecrow (paying homage to the Scottish ‘Tattie Bogle’); an innkeeper; a very green knight; and Hannah herself – fit with a red wig and her exact costume – all with impressively speedy costume changes.
Stewart and Thorborn’s beautiful songs fill the piece. The music is mostly diegetic, existing in the play itself. Later, however, it is portrayed as non-diagetic which confuses the world-building and, disappointingly, the amount of music dwindles as the piece continues. Stewart and Thorborn’s voices are a joy to hear and Jardine’s voice is powerful in the one song he performs.
About A Bogle has many laugh-out-loud and absurdist moments – such as child scarecrow puppets chasing the protagonists offstage. Peter Morrison and Andrew Nimmo also act Faeries, bringing the show alive in highly entertaining scene changes.
There is a clear narrative line to the script, which unfolds with intrigue – although there is some confusion as to when it is set and it script could do with some more dramaturgical work. The production could also be better served by the direction of Heather Linn and her AD, Peter Morrison: there are awkward moments on stage that are not just due to the tension between Hannah and Harris; moments that feel weighed down and lengthy as scenes are expanded more than necessary.
Filled with magnificent music, mischief, and magic, About A Bogle is an enjoyable play with brilliant performances and a clear vision that celebrates Scottish folklore and life. With sharper direction and more focus on narrative structure it could go from being simply enjoyable, to truly dazzling.
Running time: One hour (no interval).
Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club (The Speakeasy), 29-31, Abercromby Place, EH3 6QE (Venue 241a).
em>Friday 7 – Wednesday 19 August 2026.
Daily: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.
Facebook: @Scotch-Bonnet-Productions
Instagram: @scotchbonnetproductions
ENDS
