PPP: Wallace
★★★★☆ Intelligent fun
Traverse: Tue 9 – Sat 13 Sept 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
Wallace, the first in the new season from A Play, a Pie and a Pint at the Traverse, is a sparky, original and historically aware co-production from Òran Mór and Raw Material.
It sometimes seems that you are only allowed to write drama about three or four figures from Scottish history, and William Wallace, the much-mythologised figure from the Wars of Scottish independence, is definitely one of them.
Dave Hook with Manasa Tagica. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
There have been numerous plays about him (not to mention That Film) and most of them seem to be called just Wallace. As a result, there needs to be a pretty good reason for having another. Luckily this particular one has several interesting things going for it.
As well as a book by Rob Drummond, this boasts music and lyrics by Dave Hook of Scottish hip-hop group Stanley Odd, and much of the story is indeed told through the medium of rap.
What could seem gimmicky, or even a Hamilton rip-off, actually works very well, with the lyrics being pithy, intelligent and often funny. Hook himself performs alongside Patricia Panther and Manasa Tagica, and all three are engaging and compelling. The sparing use of acoustic guitar, harp or folky fiddle alongside the beats is also a nice touch.
fluidity and rhythm
Orla O’Loughlin’s direction gives everything a wonderful fluidity and rhythm, while Gillian Argo’s design and Ross Nurney’s lighting contribute to a sense of spectacle.
Hook plays a Scotsman who identifies greatly with Wallace, and at first it seems that we might be heading down the clichéd, folksy route that many would fear on learning of the show’s premise. Unsurprisingly given Drummond’s involvement, however, it is nothing like as one-dimensional.
Dave Hook, Patricia Panther and Manasa Tagica. Pic: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
Tagica is credited as ‘Sassenach’ and Panther as ‘Wummin’, but their characters belie these apparent stereotypes as Wallace’s legend is dissected with more rigour and nuance than anyone would have a right to expect.
With so much of political discourse swamped by flag-wrapped idiocy that peddles nostalgia for imagined pasts as a smokescreen for naked prejudice, it is heartening to see the past treated so subtly and intelligently. Plenty of what is said could still be argued with – which is probably precisely the point.
clever, lively and highly enjoyable
There is certainly the possibility of this having a life beyond its current production, although care should surely be taken in trying to extend it beyond this form.
The format of different takes on Wallace’s reputation interspersed with appropriate raps works at this length, but making it any longer would certainly run the risk of making it drier and more formulaic.
As it stands, however, this is clever, lively and highly enjoyable.
Running time: 50 minutes (no interval)
Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge St, EH1 2ED
Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 September 2025
Daily at 1.00 pm
Tickets and details: Book here.
ENDS
