@ Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh, on Sat 24 Oct 2015 (and touring)

One of Scotland greatest heroes, Sir Hector MacDonald, is the title character of Eden Court, Comar and Ed Littlewood Productions co-production Hector, which is currently touring the UK. Written by David Gooderson and based on his original play So Great a Crime, the play sheds new light on the true story of a crofter‘s son who rose through the ranks of the British Army, becoming a hero at the Battle of Omdurman, a Knight of the Realm and Queen Victoria’s favourite general.  At the peak of his career, when he is pronounced Commander of Ceylon, “Fighting Mac” becomes a victim of scandalous allegations which lead to his tragic demise.

Rich and multi-layered, the play exposes the vicious power of gossip and the devastating influence of the global press in a world that looks strikingly similar to our contemporary reality, in which class, ethnic and sexuality differences are still all too valid arguments for social judgement. Skillfully built from the inevitable opposition of the English elite and the “outsiders”, the invaders and the locals, it reveals a system where bribery is a way of life, and double standards and conformity are the norm. This effect is dramaturgically enhanced through a pattern of several narrative lines which develop in parallel, “sharing” different parts of the stage at the same time. The occasional epistolary elements make up for the rhythmic and dynamic storytelling, while adding one more layer to MacDonald‘s complex personality.

The cast impresses with truly passionate and versatile acting, especially Gowan Calder and Raj Ghatak, each of whom portrays two or three different characters. In a metaphorical contrast with the shadowy fabrication of devastating rumours, everything in director Kate Nelson‘s interpretation is “on display”. Throughout most of the play, all six actors are sharing the stage, staying within its margins even when their characters are not “present”. All costume changes also take place on the stage, the set-up and props are functional and swiftly modified, the space is used with the greatest possible efficiency.

Everything in Hector is well orchestrated, like a well-oiled machine. Dynamic, eventful and utterly enthralling, when you watch it you completely forget that, as a critic, you should be looking for flaws. In fact, there weren’t any.