Review: The Ballad of Jack and Stacey, Canonmills Church

Part of the Edinburgh Free Fringe Festival, The Ballad of Jack and Stacey runs at only 30 minutes and is performed in Canonmills Church near the Water of Leith and the Royal Botanic Garden. The venue is a short walk from the city centre, but it is well worth the trip and offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the Fringe.

The stage setting could hardly be simpler. With no props, no costumes – just two chairs and a guitar, the performance feels refreshingly unadorned. Unlike many Fringe shows, the performers introduce themselves before the start, immediately creating a connection with the audience. It is a gentle, disarming beginning to a show whose origins are a tale in themselves.

The production was written in collaboration with Scottish prisoners. Here related by storyteller Sam Rowe, The Ballad of Jack and Stacey follows a young man who finds himself drawn into a life of crime. Jack’s childhood is one of hardship and instability, and Rowe tells his story with warmth, compassion and a quiet honesty that makes it difficult not to become emotionally invested. This is ultimately a love story and a tale of survival, exploring how hope can exist even in the darkest circumstances.

At key moments in the narrative, guitarist Ellyn Oliver performs songs by artists including Supergrass, Johnny Cash and John Lennon. These musical intervals are effective, giving the audience space to absorb what they have just heard and adding an emotional texture. The songs never feel like interruptions; instead, they become part of the storytelling itself.

The Ballad of Jack and Stacey is performing only six shows during the Fringe and deserves to be sought out. It offers hope without shying away from the devastating realities of addiction and the damage drugs can inflict on individuals and families. The play never preaches, but its messages are unmistakable. Leave your prejudices at the door.

This show is a real Fringe gem. In just thirty minutes, it creates characters that feel real, a story that feels lived, and an emotional impact that lingers long after you leave the church hall.

Originally written in 2020 within HMP Glenochil
Produced by Bethany Christian Trust

The Ballad of Jack and Stacey plays at Venue 42, Canonmills Church until Thursday 27 August as part of the Edinburgh Free Fringe.