Review: The Glasgow Poisoner - A new musical | A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Glasgow

Name: The Glasgow Poisoner - A new musical
Brand: A Play, A Pie and A Pint
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

Lisa in the theatre
Sep 25
4 min read

Updated: Sep 29

The latest new production at A Play, A Pie and a Pint this 2025 autumn season is The Glasgow Poisoner by Tom Cooper and Jen McGregor. This brand-new musical is based on the true story of Glaswegian socialite Madeleine Smith who was accused of murdering her lover in 1857. The Glasgow Poisoner: A New Musical is A Play, A Pie and A Pint production, co-presented with OneRen and The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr. Read my review of this lively new true crime musical below.

Chiara Sparkes and David Joseph Healy in The Glasgow Poisoner musical at A Play, A Pie and A Pint. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan — Chiara Sparkes and David Joseph Healy in The Glasgow Poisoner. Photo: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

The Glasgow Poisoner - A new musical | A Play, A Pie and A Pint ★★★★☆

Review: 26 September 2025, Òran Mór, Glasgow

The Glasgow Poisoner, written and directed by Tom Cooper and Jen McGregor, is a new musical based on the infamous true story of a young Glaswegian socialite, Madeleine Smith, who was accused of murdering her French lover Emile in 1857. Smith lived with her wealthy parents on Glasgow's Blythswood Square, and her secret love affair with an older man when exposed was scandalous.

When Emile was found dead with a large amount of arsenic in his stomach, Smith was soon arrested and tried for his murder. There was circumstantial evidence against her, including copious love letters explaining her motive, and reports of her buying the same poison just days before his death. However at what Glaswegians named "the trial of the century" the jury returned a 'Not Proven' verdict; a uniquely Scottish verdict that meant that Smith walked free.

A Glasgow Penny Dreadful story

The Glasgow Poisoner musical frames Madeleine Smith's irresistible story through the eyes of a pamphleteer; someone who makes a living writing and selling sensationalist 'Penny Dreadful' papers to a public hungry for gossip and true crime. The 'not proven' verdict leaves the writer without a bloody story of a villainous murderess to sell, and so they set out to prove her guilt or innocence once and for all.

Cooper and McGregor's vibrant new dark comedy musical imagines just some of the alternate theories that could've led to Emile being found dead and full of arsenic.

“We were drawn to this tale of romance, blackmail and poison by the figure of Madeleine and the different possibilities she represents, said writer Jen McGregor, “She definitely purchased arsenic, and a large amount of it was found in her dead lover’s stomach. But beyond this, things may or may not be as they seem.”

Sam Macdonald, Morgan E. Ross, David Joseph Healy and Chiara Sparkes in The Glasgow Poisoner musical at A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór, Glasgow. Photo credit: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan — The Glasgow Poisoner musical cast at Òran Mór Glasgow. Photo: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Can musical theatre get away with murder?

With ten original songs by Cooper and McGregor, arranged and performed by onstage Musical Director Samuel Macdonald, The Glasgow Poisoner bursts onto the stage with energy and flair. There's a full size piano, drums and other percussion instruments (all ably played by Macdonald and the cast) rarely seen on the tiny stage at A Play, A Pie and A Pie at Òran Mór. The music is loud for this one, and the ferocious, upbeat live score is a welcome, bouncy backdrop to the dark tale.

Writers / directors Cooper and McGregor have taken a comic tone with the grisly story, and their well researched facts and theories are brought to life beautifully by a strong, charismatic cast.

The musical is narrated by frustrated pamphlet writer Plume; Morgan E. Ross impressing with a steady, poised performance. David Joseph Healy's Emile certainly believes that he has been murdered, and is incredulous that we may conclude otherwise. While Chiara Sparkes' is a vivid, convincing Madeleine - her captivating stage presence demonstrating perhaps why the Victorian public were so drawn to her transgressions. The trio elevate the show with their magnificent, powerful voices, and play up to the audience with their hilarious facial expressions and sharp comic timing.

It is said that the popular penny dreadful publications were the true crime podcasts of their time, and I can see why the Victorians would revel in this scandal and clambour to read every last detail about it. Almost 170 years on from the trial, The Glasgow Poisoner: A new musical explores our enduring fascination with true crime and murderers. With its well-balanced pacey plot and catchy showtunes it proves that musical theatre and murder are the perfect match. ★★★★☆

The Glasgow Poisoner - A new musical plays at A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór, Glasgow until 27 September before transferring to Paisley and then Ayr. Find the full dates and venues here