FringeReview Scotland 2026
The Prince of the Underground
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Emergence Festival 2026
Genre: New Writing, Theatre
Venue: The Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow
Festival: FringeReview Scotland
Low Down
A man enters with a pot plant and is asked by another for his letter. Taking and unfolding it from his pocket, the first man hands it over. Having had his invitation checked, the first is taken by the second to a sole chair centre stage, from which he addresses the audience. From there he delivers a monologue about his circumstances. For 20 minutes or so our protagonist tries to lighten the mood and tell his story until unexpectedly, his guide returns with a new letter and clearly to come back at another time.
Review
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Emergence Festival provides a platform for senior students to present their work to an audience as part of their final preparations for joining the profession. They are designed to challenge us and the students onstage.
This was an engaging piece of short theatre which suggested a much wider and bigger history and back story for our character which was hinted at but never explained. That was its greatest value. Delivered with poise and awkwardness, the audience became the interrogators, silent but complicit in his attendance. We wanted to be on his side but at times he tried a little too hard to be charming and engaging, blurting things out that they see as humorous to break the ice, but they are the wrong approach. The man in the chair was believable, neither victim nor hero, but someone confused by a process in which he found himself at the centre. You got the impression of someone wanting to tell more but fearful that by doing so, it would land others in trouble or even expose himself to danger. It is an experience many face within official processes. Hints and nods of frustration are exposed in a well-balanced script. It was, however, a bit short – perhaps best leaving us wanting more?
The performance and direction were simplistic, because complex would not have worked. It didn’t keep you on the edge of your seat but relaxing back, expecting more exposition before finding out there would be none forthcoming – it worked well.
This was theatre performed simplistically but well, showing that whilst there was no place for you to hide artistically, many people are having to hide themselves whilst trying hard to fit in and be seen in a process that often dehumanises them – that appeared to be the message that came across and needed no artifice to heighten its effect.
