There’s a mysterious romance connected with Scottish heroine Flora MacDonald.
Famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Scotland following the defeat of the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, there is so much more to her story.
So, it’s cracking to watch the fabulous new musical Flora. Winning lottery funding has helped put this wonderful production on stage with excellent writing from Belle Jones.
At the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow, until Saturday, it’s a joy to watch and it was lovely to see so many excited Gaelic speakers in the audience, supporting their friends on stage.
With a strong cast led by Glasgow actor Karen Fishwick, the show by Genesis Theatre Productions features a real depth look into Flora’s fascinating life, using song, music, movement and dialogue.
Switching between roles and costumes was done with ease and Dayna Cumming’s simple but beautiful set, together with Benny Goodman’s lighting, adds to the beauty of the show.
Director Stasi Schaeffer and producer Michellle McKay takes the audience through the trials Flora faced in a society dominated and ruled by men, imprisonment in the Tower of London, family sadness, hunger and fighting to hold onto land in the Americas.
It was wonderful to see how easily the actors switched between Gaelic and English and fabulous traditional music by AJ Robertson and John Kielty ensured the lovely songs added strongly to the story. A shout out also to the wonderful James Grant on drums.
Fishwick has a strong singing voice, as does Annie Grace who is excellent as the older Flora and a talented musician to boot! Lawrence Boothman Is hilarious as Bonnie Prince Charlie, with no care for what is happening to poor Flora.
David Rankine is solid as Flora’s husband and plays well the emotions suffered when he takes her to America in search of fame and fortune and fails badly.
The cast also stars Alan McHugh (One Eyed Hugh, Sandy McLeod and William Dick), Harry Ward (Kingsburgh, Campbell, Young Sleat, Glendale), Lana Pheutan (Annabelle, Lady Sleat) and Sally Swanson (Marian, Lady Bruce, Anne, Josiah Martin).
It’s taken five years to get Flora – A New Musical on stage and it’s as feisty and fun as the real heroine who has her feet firmly placed in Scottish history. Let’s hope the play follows suit!
Flora – A New Musical, runs until Saturday 28th March 2026 at The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow. For ticket availability, please visit: www.trafalgartickets.com.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs by Ewen Weatherspoon
Be the first to comment