Created and Performed by Sam Ward

Review by Jack Quinn

ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall: Tickets

Imagine it, you are in a theatre, and you have come here to believe in the make-believe, find truth in the not-true. Nations, or ‘imagined communities’, function in a similar way, argues Sam Ward in his newest play, which premieres in a summer when threats of nationalism and violence are all too present.

Nation is predominantly a one-man play which relies on the imagination of the audience to build worlds, casting characters from the audience as dwellers of this ‘small town’, and charts the uncanny mis-happenings and disappearances about the town, akin to the participatory work of Tim Crouch. Ward skilfully draws the audience into the narrative, weaving a tale that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, much like the way nations themselves are constructed.

The play’s minimalist approach—relying heavily on Ward’s performance and the audience’s imagination—allows for a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the darker undercurrents of nationalism. However, while the concept is intriguing and the execution clever, a certain detachment lingers. The audience’s role in the unfolding story, though central to the experience, feels somewhat surface-level, never quite reaching the depth of emotional or intellectual engagement that might have made the play truly unforgettable.

Despite this, Nation remains a thought-provoking piece that challenges conventional storytelling and invites reflection on the nature of community and the narratives we choose to believe in. Ward’s ability to command the stage and engage with the audience is impressive. In a time when the forces of nationalism are increasingly potent, Nation offers a timely, if slightly restrained, examination of how we construct and deconstruct the stories that define us.

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