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BLANDY

 
Mark Harding Review by Mark Harding 4 Published: 11 Aug 2025 Assembly George Square Studios Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-25 Aug 2025

The title might mean nothing – and is hardly gripping – but don’t let that put you off. In fact, Blandy tells the story of the real 18th-century Mary Blandy. But don’t look up the story beforehand, as part of the pleasure of the show is the way Mary’s story is revealed, combined as it is with the Europe-wide folktale of the pig-faced woman. And it would be a shame to spoil the pleasure, as the show is extremely entertaining.

Clever, funny, and rather sexy

The script, by Coco Cottam, doesn’t offer any psychological insights or theses about society, nor does it provide any surprises from history. However, it is clever, funny and rather sexy. The narrative technique is sophisticated (and demanding of the actors) in mixing multiple events simultaneously.

There are no fancy sets or costumes. The show succeeds or fails with the talent of the actors, and they live up to the demand. The many parts are played by Georgie Dettmer and Luke Nixon. They can both carry broad comedy, lust, pathos (what small amount there is) and have the ability to change between characters from one second to the next. They both have charisma to spare. Possibly because the main female roles are better, Dettmer in particular comes across as outstanding.

I can’t write much else without giving away spoilers. So, if you are the sort of person who likes a highly entertaining, daft but clever show, without trimmings, that basically relies on the talent of the two actors, then this is for you.

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The Blurb:

It's 1746 and Mary is desperately and dangerously single. Shunned for her smallpox scars, facing pressure from her dad and disdain from local suitors, Mary meets the charming Will Cranstoun and her heart trips. Slips. Falls. As the couple rush to write their vows, lies surface and this fresh page starts to reek. Over sixty tense minutes, this experimental comic drama spans the true story of a scarred woman and one of the most sensationalised murderers of eighteenth-century Britain.