A Moving, Sweet Tale of Unsung Courage: The Ballad of Isobel Gunn Review | Zoe Sievwright

★★★★

Every now and then, you come across a story that sweeps you off your feet, and The Ballad of Isobel Gunn does exactly that. It is a sweet, deeply moving piece of theatre about an Orkney woman who simply refused to sit quietly in the box that 19th-century society built for her. Isobel defied every single expectation of how women were supposed to act back then. Instead of conforming to a quiet life mapped out by the rigid social norms of the era, she chose a path of incredible bravery, and absolute defiance.

The narrative follows Isobel as she makes the extraordinary decision to disguise herself as a man, taking the name John Fubbister, to gain employment with the Hudson’s Bay Company. Driven by a need for fair wages, independence, and a life beyond domestic confinement, she sets sail for the freezing, unforgiving Canadian wilderness. What makes this production so exceptionally special is how deeply human it keeps her journey. It never treats her life like a dusty lesson in a history book but instead, makes you feel the sheer weight of her secret, the gruelling physical labour she endured, and the quiet emotional toll of hiding who she truly was just to survive in the world.

The tragic turning point of the play comes when her secret is uncovered and her life is upended by an unexpected pregnancy. As the show subtly conveys, losing her disguise costs Isobel far more than just her job: it completely shatters the independence she fought so hard for. The revelation leaves her stranded in an isolating limbo. She isn’t allowed to work with the men, but she has changed, and can’t easily fit back into traditional societal expectations.

Melanie Gall’s performance is wonderfully rich and tender, capturing every ounce of her quiet resilience and heartbreak. Wrapped in beautiful folk music that serves as a constant reminder of the musical’s Scottish roots, the acoustic melodies transport you straight from Orkney to the icy seas in North America. Using simple staging and evocative lighting, The Ballad of Isobel Gunn is a deeply touching tribute to a woman who refused to be held back, and you will leave the performance with absolute respect for her unbreakable spirit.

The Ballad of Isobel Gunn was performed at theSpace at Symposium Hall - Annex from 7-29 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe.

By Zoe Sievwright