Tobacco Merchant's Lawyer @ Assembly Rooms

Set in Glasgow, 1775, the fortunes to be made from tobacco, slavery, and the moral compromises by lawyer Enoch Dalmellington which affect his bookish, 'dreich' daughter, Euphemia, are the chief subjects of this witty, elegant and accomplished one-hander by much-admired playwright Iain Heggie.

Launched at Òran Mór's A Play, a Pie and a Pint, to great plaudits, a revival of Tobacco Merchant's Lawyer is now at the Edinburgh Fringe and superbly performed by John Bett, its original star and incidentally one of the founder members of the renowned 7:84 company.

Regaling us with the gusto of a raconteur, sprinkled with characterful Scots such as 'swithered,' Bett never fails to sweep us up into his tale, the mood continued by lively bursts of 18th century music at scene changes. Attired in a range of 18th century outfits, indoor caps or powdered wig for society, his clothes change from a lawyer's shabbiness to splendour, as his fortunes grow or fade. His involvement with the fortune-teller, Mistress Zapata and her predictions lead to some sly nods at modern-day Glasgow (and even Edinburgh) and America's independence from Britain affords a side-swipe at the issue of Scottish Independence. The ambiguous fate of proud Euphemia, and her ill-starred anti-slavery suitor are sealed as Dalmellington is faced with bankruptcy; the serious implications of slavery and tobacco are lightly touched on, as in the best satire. The lawyer prospers and jovially takes the audience with him. Thoroughly enjoyable.