FringeReview Scotland 2026
Lock
Borders Pub Theatre
Genre: New Writing, Short Plays, Theatre
Venue: Duns Volunteer Hall
Festival: FringeReview Scotland
Low Down
An intriguing and entertaining fifty minutes with five very different takes on the theme of Lock, with stories ranging from an AI agent with Machiavellian leanings to a couple buying a Victorian house complete with a bedroom door peephole with a history to it.
Review
DunsPlayFest or “Fringe without the faff” as it likes to call itself, is certainly on the compact side, given that its four venues are within a stone’s throw of each other. It’s got a wonderful community feel to it too, being staffed principally by volunteers who extend a warm welcome to everyone performing, attending a show or who’s just turned up to have a libation whilst they listen to one of the many free bands, singers and storytellers that run alongside the paying shows. It’s pretty much wall to wall entertainment for a week in early May.
DunsPlayFest prides itself on encouraging and providing a platform for new writing, especially that originating in, or relating to the Borders. Fitting then, that Borders Pub Theatre are headlining this Tuesday evening with a novel theatrical concept – five short plays around the theme of Lock, each performed by the same actors, in this case three hard working souls who have been slaving away all day over the hot scripts as they get their heads around what is a very different evening of live theatre – “page to stage in a day” if you like.
This intriguing and entertaining fifty minutes or so provided five very different takes on the chosen theme, ranging from an AI agent with Machiavellian leanings to a couple buying a Victorian house complete with a bedroom door peephole with a history to it.
Throw into the mix the life story (almost) of the delusional Saphie and her two stressed guardians, a trio debating whether to attend a Uni reunion organised by a former student friend regarded in a different light by each of them and a relationship bust up that’s left a man stranded in a pub with no way home and no option but to accept the barmaid’s offer of a night’s “lock-in” by bedding down in the snug with the barmaid’s sister and you’ve got an evening with humour, twisting, turning plots and denouements that ranged from the poignant to the haunting to the plain hilarious.
Contributing writers Anita John (The Door), John McEwen (In and Out), Campbell Hutcheson (After Hours), Robert Sproul-Cran (/Lock) and Clare Watson (Autobiography – almost) have each produced vignettes (the pieces ranged from around 8-12 minutes in length) of real quality, honouring the central theme (Lock) as well as providing narratives with depth, clearly delineated characters and blooming good stories, some of which take decidedly dark turns, others lighter and more amusing.
The acting is top notch too, especially given they’ve only had a day to pull together five plays, with moves and actions together with sound and lighting effects. Hats off then to Kolbrun Bjort Sigfusdottir for their simple but effective direction and to Amanda Glasgow, Xander Cowan and Esmé Babineaux for some superb acting. Each of their respective characters was clearly defined and convincing, diction and pacing perfect.
Tonight’s show was a one-off, which is a shame, as the writing, direction and acting deserves greater exposure. There are many potentially receptive venues across the Borders that would welcome this quality of live entertainment with open arms. If BPT decide to tour this, I’d recommend you seek it out.
