Walking into the space to see Witches Corner, the audience is welcomed with a soft song being performed as they settle into their seats, perfectly setting up the tone of the show.
Blending the stories of real women convicted as witches with modern women’s struggles, Eilidh Smith’s play is a lesson in Scottish history and a feminist rallying cry packaged into a 50 minute music theatre production. Stepping into the accused women’s shoes, it is incredible how contemporary their pleas for justice sound even though we like to tell ourselves that the world has changed since the witch hunts. And unfortunately the men’s points of view for convincing these witches isn’t unfamiliar either. Similar points of view can easily be found on the manosphere side of TikTok. But it makes sense. After all ‚A witch is just a woman with a life of her own‘.
Smith’s writing is well paced, rhythmic and sharp and the narrative is beautifully underlined by original songs written by Rhona Johnston and performed acoustically by the whole cast. The six performers play violin, piano, and guitar whilst also singing and multi-roleing – an ambitious undertaking and very well done. Lorna McFarlane and Katrina Hamilton Smith particularly stand out for their emotional performances both in the past and present storylines.
In the end, this is a call for action. You will leave the theatre echoing the question, how can this still be happening?‘. Hopefully this play is another step towards remembering the past the way it really happened, and letting it shape our future for the better to stop the cycle of history repeating itself.
Witches Corner should be on every Fringe-goers itinerary. Watch something made in and about Scotland by Scottish artists and see what this city has to offer year-round. You won’t be disappointed!
Witches Corner runs until the 22nd of August at The Space @ Surgeron’s Hall with tickets available at https://www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2026/witches-corner
Reviewer: Christina Schmidt
Reviewed: 18th August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating:
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