If you’re English, this show is a must. Pete Reid’s McKallaster has been purveying his intelligent, keenly-observed – crucially impartial – views on football for years. Specifically, the English variety. However, today Hugh McHugh (Vic Galloway), an Englishman, wishes to contest the neutrality of the self-proclaimed ‘Favourite Unbiased Scottish Commentator’ of Andy Robertson and ‘close personal friend’ of Archie Gemmill. Resplendent in seven types of tartan (six of them visible), McKallaster’s ready to defend his reputation. With a name like McHugh, you might be concerned his opponent qualifies as a Scot, but fear not, he’s from Edinburgh.
It’s an opportunity to watch (or re-watch in many cases) the Instagram clips we’ve become so fond of @mckallaster. And they are side-splittingly, eye-wateringly funny, especially the portrayal of the England stars from the late 60’s/early 70’s as cheats and thieves. No matter how many times you’ve seen them. Pleas for Scotland to ‘play it safe’ or ‘go for the corner’ just prior to some of their more famous international moments never pale either. The attempt to re-write the history of the 2-2 draw at Hampden in 2017 prompted hoots-a-plenty. But the vehicle of a chat-show setting to permit McHugh and McKallaster their jousting didn’t have all its wheels. Cues were missed, timing was awry and punchlines were fumbled as if Willie Donachie had just fed one of them a back-pass. To the rescue came more evidence for McKallaster’s defence in the shape of phone-calls recorded with Tony Adams, Harry Kane and Geoff Hurst et al. Eye-opening truths were exposed, to say the least.
This show got by on brio (and today was a sell-out) and you’d need a heart of stone to ignore the Gemmill-related finale. Hopefully, as the run progresses, the interaction between the two players can improve and do the ‘script’ justice.
Running August 10th – 19th (no show 17th) https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/an-unbiased-afternoon-with-allaster-mckallaster
Reviewer: Roger Jacobs
Reviewed: 12th August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating:
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