Hero. Butcher. Myth. Will the real William Wallace please stand up? This new hip-hop musical examines a giant of Scottish history through three different lenses. Who was he really, and what does that mean for Scotland now?
As “Scotsman”, Dave Hook recounts the familiar tale, which has inspired generations of Scots as well as a Hollywood blockbuster. His Wallace is simultaneously “just a man standing up for what’s right “, and a heroic colossus, crushing the enemies of freedom with his humongous fists.
Manasa Tagika portrays Longshanks as the gangster lord he surely was, oozing status in his blood red fur coat and indoor sunglasses. “I don’t think of you much”, he tells us Scots – but he really, really needs us to know that. This was my favourite part of the show but, tellingly, I couldn’t bring myself to join the applause for Longshanks. Naturally, I’m on team Wallace.
But was Wallace any better really? In the second act, Tagika’s “Sassenach” dismantles the traditional narrative. Wallace routinely slaughtered noncombatants, including children. He had a scabbard made from the skin of an enemy commander. Cruelty was the bread-and-butter of this medieval warlord.
As “Scotsman” reels from this hot take on his 28-times-removed great-uncle, “Wummin” (Patricia Panther) steps up. No Scottish chronicler wrote about Wallace during his lifetime. What if William Wallace never existed? What if he wasn’t even Scottish! Act three celebrates the unsung heroes of history, like the women who “lit fires, hid knives, buried the dead”. It’s passionately told, but I would have liked to have met an individual unsung hero rather than hearing about them (us?) in the plural.
Whatever the historic reality, the story of Braveheart is part of who we are as a nation. Wallace may be shrouded in folklore, but it’s our folklore.
Hook says that hip-hop is folk music with caps instead of cardigans. Gillian Argo’s cosy set, and Ross Nurney’s lighting, reflect this, fostering a closeness between audience and cast that enhances the storytelling.
Hook’s lyrics are breathtaking and delivered with dynamic conviction by a strong cast. It’s great to see Scottish hip-hop artists drawing a well deserved new audience, as well as smashing through the mystique we often impose on historical figures. A thoughtful and riveting production.
Wallace runs until 13th September at Traverse Theatre, with tickets available at https://www.traverse.co.uk
Reviewer: Wendy McEwan
Reviewed: 10th September 2025
North West End UK Rating:
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