Theatre REVIEW: Wallace - ★

3 days ago

2 min read

Packed with humour, history and hip-hop, Wallace takes a fresh, contemporary look at one of Scotland's most famous figures.

Will the real Wallace please stand up?

Was William Wallace the hero who saved Scotland? A ruthless rebel? Or a myth that has grown over time?

This furiously funny and politically explosive musical explores who Wallace really was and asks how the stories we tell shape the way we see ourselves and our past.

The fearless cast go head-to-head in electrifying rap battles, blending history, humour and hip-hop to deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience. With a score incorporating rap, folk, pop, rock and razor-sharp lyrics in a distinctly Scottish voice, Wallace reinvents the story of a national icon for a new generation.

A thrilling new musical from award-winning playwright Rob Drummond (Bullet Catch, The Broons), acclaimed rapper Dave Hook (solareye, A Giant on the Bridge), renowned director Orla O’Loughlin (What Girls Are Made Of, Locker Room Talk) and powerhouse producers Raw Material (James IV & V, The Stamping Ground).

Where?

King's Theatre - Part of Scotland Tour

Myles (Age 15) - 0.5

"Wallace started off promising but in the end it was a complete mess. Every time the lights went on you were practically blinded by them. I couldn’t understand what anyone was saying, apart from one person, as they all spoke far too fast. The singing was awful, with clearly inexperienced singers. The first half was decent with a good story ( it was actually a really good premise for a show) and it would have been quite informative and interesting if I could actually have heard what people said. I liked the arguments between two of the characters, but, then, in the second half, it went utterly off the rails. It became a completely different show, instead, for some reason deciding to pivot to arguing about women’s rights and gender. It was totally random and barely connected to the first half at all. The ending also dragged on. Overall, the show was a disappointing slog.