Writer: Martin O’Connor
Director: Joanna Bowman
Original production director: Lu Kemp
What is Scottish culture when stripped of the gift-shop clichés? In Through the Shortbread Tin, Martin O’Connor interrogates the commercialised identity of sporrans, stags, and shortbread tins, questioning whether these cosy myths bring us forward or hold us back.
Framed around the 18th-century literary scandal of James Macpherson—who set the world ablaze after the Acts of Union with translated epics of the ancient bard Ossian, later considered an elaborate hoax—the show explores the thin line between history and myth. O’Connor’s text is nothing short of masterful. Rich with rhythm and clever rhyme, the writing moves effortlessly between sharp historical satire and profound personal inquiry. An opening “what’s the point” text piece lands with striking effect, setting the tone for a show that dares to ask: if our culture is merely what others can sell, do we really feel connected to it?
The production’s design is equally evocative. Projection design washes over mountain backdrops with shifting clouds, fire, and water, while haunting live Gaelic singing adds a deep emotional resonance.
Yet, the show’s most poignant thread is generational. O’Connor explores heritage as something passed down, or lost, reflecting that if you were never taught your own history, how can it truly feel like yours? In a touching letter to his grandfather, O’Connor mirrors Macpherson’s legacy, rewriting history to reclaim a lost linguistic connection.
Witty, visual, and brilliantly crafted, Through the Shortbread Tin is a provocative reflection on the stories we inherit, the myths we sell, and the truths we choose to tell ourselves.
Runs until 31 August 2026 | Image: Contributed
