Review: Common Tongue, a touring play

Fraser Scott‘s Common Tongue is a play about words. The right ones, the wrong ones, and the ones used to put you in your place. In this fast-paced and quick-witted one-person show, performer Olivia Caw brings Bonnie’s story to life, exploring the intricate intersections of language, class, and identity in modern Scotland.

The Power of Words

Did you learn “vulgar fractions” or “common fractions” at school? They’re the same thing. The term changed because “vulgar” stopped meaning common and started to mean rude, a prejudice born from snooty elites looking down on the common folk. I was thinking about this as I arrived at the Festival Theatre Studio, and it turns out I wasn’t far off the mark.

The lights come up on Bonnie (Olivia Caw). She’s in trainers, a red tracksuit top, and gold hoop earrings, hair tied back in a ponytail. It’s a familiar look from the streets of Leith or Granton, and as she begins to speak in a broad Scots tongue, you realise you’re being invited to make assumptions. This is exactly what writer-director Fraser Scott wants. He sets up your prejudices only to expertly dismantle them.

Bonnie is not stupid. She’s not violent. She’s smart, vibrant, and navigates a world that constantly judges the sound of her voice. From a culture clash with a boyfriend’s parents to her accent becoming a “novelty” at university, the play charts her journey of self-discovery. Has she toned down her speech to fit in? Is she proud of her roots, or does she resent them? The play powerfully argues that we should be proud of all Scottish dialects, that every tongue is as valid as any other.

A Captivating Performance

On the night I attended, Olivia Caw had to compete with the howling winds of Storm Amy outside, yet she held the entire packed studio in rapt attention. Her performance is nothing short of spectacular. It’s no surprise to learn she’s a well-trained actress with a commanding stage presence.

The staging is clever and symbolic. A tartan floor and matching covered boxes are surrounded by an arena of microphones, creating a “visual cage” that suggests Bonnie is on trial for the way she speaks. She occasionally grabs a mic for dramatic effect, but mostly they stand as silent accusers. Caw uses this space with precision, sprawling on the floor one moment, taking a gander at the audience the next, inviting us into her world.

This isn’t just an academic debate about linguistics; it’s a deeply human story about our relationships and place in the world. Caw’s portrayal is so engaging that she even persuades much of the audience to join hands for a brief, heartfelt rendition of Auld Lang Syne. It’s a truly commendable and captivating performance.

Overall

I went in with low expectations, slightly bitter about being soaked by the storm, and left feeling “motivated, impressed, and chuffed.” Common Tongue is a superb piece of theatre that challenges, entertains, and moves in equal measure. If you get a chance to see it on its tour, take it. I would recommend keeping an eye open for future Fraser Scott projects, and for anything else you get the chance to see Olivia Caw in. Highly recommended.