Words: Haneul Lee

3 stars

Tartan Tat, written by Isla Campbell and Lex Joyce, is as Scottish as it gets. Set in
Tartan Treasures, a tourist trap shop in Edinburgh, the five-strong play immediately
establishes itself as a comfortable, relatable show that both Scots and (ironically)
tourists can enjoy. With references to Harry Potter, “lesbian icon” Susan Calman, Jimmy
Hats, and J.K. Rowling’s tweets, the dialogue is natural and humorous, reflecting
everyday conversations.

The play ambitiously tackles themes like internet virality, performative activism, trans
rights, and Edinburgh’s housing crisis. However, it occasionally feels overextended. For
instance, Orla’s (Robyn Reilly) homelessness is introduced but quickly dismissed by
Tartan Tat’s manager (Jess Ferrier), never to be brought back, leaving her story
unresolved. Additionally, the stage layout, combined with my seating position, made it
difficult to catch some facial expressions and body language, detracting from the
comedic impact of certain jokes.

A standout performance comes from Freya Anderson as Millie, who balances out the
more hot-headed characters with her sharp and calculating theatrics. A highlight is
when she subtly mouths along to Arran’s (Lex Joyce) lines after manipulating him into
an unprepared interview, a fiery glint in her eyes. The chemistry between the five-
person cast is strong, with their interactions feeling natural and well-rehearsed, adding
depth to both the comedic and dramatic moments alike.

The show’s conclusion, with the YouTube apology, is somewhat farcical yet
paradoxically honest and confrontational — a fitting end to a play full of both humour
and biting social commentary.

Tartan Tat
theSpace @ Niddry St
14:10
Aug 17-20