As complex as MacDonald undoubtedly was, this remains a damning indictment of a grand conspiracy that seems to course through the uglier manifestations of the British establishment's blood.
Eloquent and interesting.
Everything in Hector is well orchestrated, like a well-oiled machine. Dynamic, eventful and utterly enthralling.
Ultimately, however, the play is a poignant and powerful insight into how MacDonald was brought down, and ultimately killed, by a scandal rooted in snobbery and bigotry.
The service of thanksgiving and remembrance for his life still celebrated annually in his birth place Mulbuie and his statue in Dingwall serve an indictment of his treatment. Hector does the same.
For all the play’s omissions, it remains a compelling, and at times rather chilling portrayal of establishment forces closing ranks against an outsider. Thanks to Gooderson and others, the tragic tale of Hector MacDonald looks unlikely to be shut away in the file marked “case closed” any time soon.
On Tour, from Wednesday October 21, 2015, until Thursday November 12, 2015.