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Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, The

Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, ThePhotographer credit: Drew Farrell

Performances of Prudencia have sold out across Scotland, the UK and internationally, so pull up a chair and whet your whistle for an incredibly inventive and entertaining piece of anarchic theatre, live music and strange goings-on…

One wintry morning Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, sets off to attend a conference in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there. Inspired by the border ballads - and delivered in a riotous romp of rhyming couplets, devilish encounters and wild karaoke - Prudencia’s dream-like journey of self-discovery unfolds among and around the audience.

With a rollicking text by David Greig, barnstorming live music; and a ‘terrific, inventive sense of fun…' (The Scotsman), The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart is the lock-in to end all lock-ins. 

National Theatre of Scotland cannot be held responsible in the event of any member of the audience losing their head, their heart or their very self during the course of the performance.  Read more …

More information on this production is available at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com.

The critical consensus

In true ballad fashion, Greig sets all this in verse. Using the kind of cheeky rhyming that can match "plectrum" with "autistic spectrum", he subverts the traditional poetic form with references to Facebook, Asda and bed-and-breakfast jigsaws. This scores many a laugh in Wils Wilson's rough-and-ready production for the National Theatre of Scotland, which is touring the bar-rooms of Scotland for added authenticity, wild musical outbursts and all. It also parodies the modern-day folk fan who goes in search of a genuine expression of community identity and finds only Katy Perry karaoke.

****(*)Mark Fisher, The Guardian, 12/02/2011

By turns one of the most rambunctiously life-affirming and touchingly beautiful reinventions of its subject.

*****Neil Cooper, The Herald, 15/02/2011

While one or two of the performances are a little rough-edged and the story itself rather anti-climactic, but these gripes fade to insignificance against the overall experience of seeing this dynamic, amusing romp in an authentic pub setting.

****(*)Allan Radcliffe, The List, 18/02/2011

It gets right to the heart of Scots’ schizophrenic relationship with their own culture which they (I speak as an incomer of some 25 years) love and hate, identify with and deny, in equal measure, often all in the same sentence.

Robert Dawson Scott, STV, 18/02/2011

A spot-on send-up ... the mockery is merciless but hugely affectionate.

Shona Craven, Onstage Scotland, 29/07/2011

If you are looking for a touching, vivacious and unique theatre experience, that will keep you laughing and keep you guessing: it is all here. Do not miss this play.

*****Victoria McGilp, The Skinny, 06/08/2011

The cleverness of David Greig's text and the constant inventiveness of Wils Wilson's staging are matched by the unflagging energy and infectious high spirits of the cast, holding the audience happily in the devil's thrall right through to a rousing and appropriately pop culture-flavoured finish.

Gerald Berkowitz, The Stage, 05/08/2011

This is an enjoyable piece of theatre and the kind of performance that would make its audience feel like it was Friday night, even if watched at 11am on a Monday morning.

***(*)(*)Scott Purvis, WhatsOnStage, 08/03/2014

It is a radical, self- referential raucous lock-in that is full of chaos, surprises and unadulterated mentalness, compounding the very Scottish relationship with the dark side in a style that chimes with the 21st century.

****(*)Irene Brown, Edinburgh Guide, 19/03/2014

This is a highly successful production whose run should go on as long as possible.

****(*)Hugh Simpson, All Edinburgh Theatre, 19/03/2014

Like A Christmas Carol, Greig’s play covers the past, present and future, asking us to consider along with Prudencia the implications of them all.

****(*)Callum Madge, TVBomb, 20/03/2014

This play both entertains superbly and teaches the audience that trusting a mysterious stranger may be your undoing, but it may well be your salvation.

*****Ali Wisteria, Broadway Baby, 26/05/2016


Features about Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, The

The fascinating tale of the folk-song collector

Neil Cooper, The Herald, 08/02/2011

The fascinating tale of the folk-song collector

Neil Cooper, The Herald, 08/02/2011

Devilish time in the pub

Sarah Swain, Evening Times, 26/07/2011

Prudencia Hart to go on year-long tour

Thom Dibdin, Annals of Edinburgh Stage, 30/03/2012

Photo: Drew FarrellPhoto: Drew FarrellPhoto: Drew Farrell

Where and when?

On Tour, from Tuesday April 10, 2012, until Wednesday May 2, 2012.

On Tour, from Friday March 7, 2014, until Sunday March 30, 2014.

On Tour, from Monday May 23, 2016, until Saturday June 11, 2016.

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