Review: SCOTS the musical, Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow | A musical celebration of a nation
- Lisa in the theatre
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
SCOTS is on a Spring tour of Scotland, and this week arrives at Glasgow Pavilion Theatre. Read my review of the newly upscaled, uproarious musical history lesson below.
SCOTS ★★★★☆
Review: 18 March 2026 | Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
What makes a country?
SCOTS sets out to answer that question via a whirlwind musical history lesson. Written by Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie of award-winning musical theatre partnership Noisemaker and produced by Raw Material in association with Beacon Arts Centre, SCOTS has been redeveloped and is now a two-part, one-hour, 40-minute-long, full musical theatre production.
Since starting life at A Play, A Pie and A Pint, SCOTS has played at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in New York. It has proven so popular with audiences that it's back, this time on Scotland's main stages, with added songs, new scenes and new cast members.
SCOTS is narrated by a toilet, and he is the best narrator! He's seen it all (from a rather unfortunate angle)
SCOTS is narrated by a toilet. Not just any toilet, but the first toilet - the wonderful Tyler Collins, who returns to his iconic role and leads us on an educational and celebratory journey of Scotland, from inception, to the kings and queens who sat on the throne (in both senses of the word), via amazing scientific discoveries, and the everyday men and forgotten women who make up our history. From the Picts and the Gaels, through economic and political trials and triumphs, up to the recent fight for gay rights, and our modern-day First Ministers, no stone of historical significance is left unturned nor unsullied by the cheeky wit and all-seeing eye of the toilet narrator.
Director Jemima Levick's redeveloped SCOTS does introduce an essential balance by calling out some of the not-so-brilliant things that Scotland is famous for too, but the overall vibe of the show is joyous, celebratory, light-hearted banter.
I've seen SCOTS numerous times throughout its lifecycle, and I always walk away elated, emotional and, above all else, proud. But I'm always slightly embarrassed at the depth of my ignorance when it comes to Scottish history. If only history lessons at school had been half as interesting and entertaining as SCOTS is, then perhaps I wouldn't have to get my education from musical theatre.
Unfortunately, SCOTS is not a show that could ever be shown in schools, but for one reason only: the dialogue is unapologetically and authentically Scottish, and that means it's bursting with swearwords. (Age guidance is 14+ for the current Scottish tour.)
Rich with killer tunes
SCOTS has many strengths, and Noisemaker's genuinely excellent musical theatre score is one of them. For this Scottish tour, the music is performed by an onstage band with MD Isaac Savage on keys, Jenny Clifford on guitar and Audrey Tait on drums.
SCOTS is not quite sung-through, but music is the method used to tell the colourful stories, and this show is rich with killer tunes. Original songs 'Give Me A Reason', 'I Don't Need Your Approval', 'What Makes a Country', and I've Seen Some Sh*t' are all back and sounding phenomenal, but there are also some brand-new numbers, with an inspired segment about tenement toilets led by the wonderful Star Penders, the highlight of the new additions. This brilliant new scene also showcases Emily Jane Boyle's playful choreography, which the multi-talented cast carries off with impressive style.
The Spring tour sees the return of cast members Tyler Colins, Richard Conlon, Yana Harris and Star Penders, who are now joined by Katie Barnett, Connor Going and Lawrence Smith. An hilarious comedy musical this may be, but the talent on stage is outstanding; the quality of their comic-timing, voices and harmonies first-rate.
SCOTS is a national treasure
The upscaled production of SCOTS stays true to its fringe theatre roots. The low-budget props and glued-on beards have not been replaced, but that only makes it all the funnier. Kenny Miller's new set and backdrop is a little muted - I personally preferred the bright colourful assault of the previous staging - but Colin Grenfell's lighting design does inject much-needed, creative splashes of colour throughout the show.
SCOTS doesn't shy away from tackling divisive topics, but Jemima Levick ensures that the tone is always spot on, whether that's telling forgotten stories with outrageous toilet humour, or, in the case of Daniel and Oscar, reflecting on the battle for gay rights with a heart-wrenching sensitivity. The message of SCOTS is always clear: everything is better when we're united and kind to one another.
With a magnificent original idea, a super talented cast, the best narrator in musical theatre, intelligent direction and a fresh, catchy soundtrack, SCOTS is a national treasure. It's a quintessentially Scottish musical theatre joy-fest. You may not stand up and shout "Freedom" at the end, but I wouldn't blame you if you did. ★★★★☆
SCOTS is at the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, until Saturday 21st March and on tour until 4th April 2026.
MORE: read more about the SCOTS Spring 2026 tour here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/post/scots-the-musical-tour-news
MORE: Also playing in Glasgow this weekend Horrible Histories: The Concert. Save 15% off tickets here: Horrible Histories The Concert tour dates, cast and ticket offer for Glasgow | Theatre Royal
And join a free event at Glasgow Tron Theatre to celebrate the Tron Steeple project. Find out more here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/post/glasgow-tron-steeple-project-event
