Flora Macdonald and Zombies
★★★★☆ Thrilling
Scottish Storytelling Centre (Venue 30a): Fri 1 – Fri 15 Aug 2025
Review by Eilidh Sim
Flora Macdonald and Zombies in the small George Mackay Brown Library of the Scottish Storytelling Centre for the odd days of the first fortnight of the Fringe, is a courageous (and hilarious) tale of zombie slaying.
Written and performed by Debbie Cannon with direction from Flavia D’Avila, this embellishes the story of Jacobite heroine Flora Macdonald, telling of how she became a world renown zombie slayer. Flora recounts how she was approached and asked to help save Prince Charlie, which ultimately led to her becoming known as Flora Macdonald the zombie slayer.
Debbie Cannon as Flora Macedonald. Pic Paul Ashley.
The set remains minimal throughout the play, with only a chair and a table, in addition to a couple props such as a bag and some shortbread. D’Avila makes effective use of the staging so Cannon uses these pieces of furniture in different ways as to set the scene.
Beside our heroine, Cannon plays multiple narrators, each adding their perspective on the gruelling attacks of zombies and the way in which Flora was asked to become a zombie slayer. The sweet Flora starts the production off giving background into her life, followed by a witty Prince Charlie, a fearless zombie-slaying cat Osiris, monstrous king of zombies Jeff, finally followed by schoolgirl Lulu.
twist
Each character is convincing, giving their own twist on the story being told. Cannon successfully switches between characters, each having vastly different accents, never losing sight of the story or muddling up who is speaking. The characters are easy to follow, and it never becomes unclear who is narrating at any moment, despite Cannon staying in pretty much the same outfit the whole time; with the exception of a jacket and bag.
During the performance, Cannon sings some songs to set the scene and move the story along. She plays the guitar and sings along, even asking the audience to join in at certain moments. Cannon has a sweet and charming voice, her energy never flagging even in these slower non-action-packed moments.
Flora Macdonald and Zombies is remarkable in the way Debbie Cannon is able to combine both history storytelling and thrilling zombie hunting, which creates something of a sensational performance.
Running time: One hour (no interval).
Scottish Storytelling Centre (George Mackay Brown Library), 43-45 High Street EH1 1SR (Venue 30a).
Friday 1 – Friday 15 August 2025.
Odd dates only: 3.45pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
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