one4review | On 10, Aug 2026

Do you know what a Fifer is, if you’re from Scotland of course you do, introducing Tilly Mackenzie, born in Kirkcaldy and don’t you forget it! Sit back and enjoy this performance because you’re going to get both barrels as Tilly and her voice of reason take you through a hilarious and at times emotional journey.

Tilly has recently split from her boyfriend so what better way for her to get over it than jet off to Barcelona with your best mate Meg. She cuts costs by inventively avoiding Ryanair’s luggage fees and books into a low-key Air B&B. She returns home and accepts a job offer in London and ends up flat sharing with a very English flatmate called Jess. Tilly does her best to avoid jess and joins Hinge dating site; she is taken aback by the immediate attention she receives but her date isn’t quite the match she had hoped for! She then goes on another date from her work and gives him something he’ll never forget. It’s honestly laugh a minute as Tilly’s antics get funnier and funnier as she superbly vocally demonstrates the Scottish/English communication breakdown.

Although this is an extremely funny comedy, there is a back story. Tilly lost her mum to cancer and reminisces throughout the show, you are in no doubt she loved her mum so much and misses her company and wisdom. Tilly was a very good swimmer and her mum took her to the swimming often before she was too ill to do so. Tilly told her mum she would keep going but couldn’t, she didn’t have the heart to tell her mum and now has a mental block going into a swimming pool.

Back to the humour and Tilly explains that being a C**t in Scotland isn’t as bad as it seems! She finally agrees to go out with her flatmate for drinks but it doesn’t take long before she ditches her for another date. She goes back to his place and after a hilarious dance on his Nintendo Wii, she suddenly remembers she forgot to do something so she goes to the bathroom and hilariously solves the problem!

When Tilly returns home, her flatmate Jess is waiting to talk to her with a bottle of wine and snacks at the ready. It turns out Jess and Meg have been in contact about Tilly’s well-being and they soon help Tilly get sorted. The show ends with Tilly standing outside a swimming pool, can she find the strength to go in?

This is Scottish comedy at it’s best, a hilarious performance mixed with raw emotion, funny facial expressions, voice changes and zany dancing results in a show that ticks all the boxes. I think her mum would be proud!

****1/2

Reviewed by Steve.J.
Gilded Balloon Patterhouse
Until 16th August (not 12th)
13.20 (1 hour)