The Wolf Of Poyais *****

In the nineteenth century, the Central American country Poyais was the talk of London. The land was fertile, its climate temperate, with architecture and infrastructure to rival European cities. Its flag was a simple green cross against a white backdrop, suggestive of the English flag. Dazzled by a fearless adventurer and his glamorous, exotic wife, investors queued up, eager not miss out on the riches on offer.

There was just one problem: Poyais didn’t exist.

Gregor MacGregor was a professional soldier in the British army. Upon discharge, he sought to position himself in the upper echelons of society. However, when his wife died, his main source of income dried up. He, probably, met the Venezuelan revolutionary General Miranda in London. MacGregor noted the favourable treatment afforded him in high circles and formed the idea that exotic adventures in the New World might earn him celebrity status.

He tried his luck in Venezuela, fighting for independence from the Spanish. He remarried, becoming, through his new wife, cousin-in-law to Simón Bolívar, who would lead Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela to independence.

Upon return to England, MacGregor styled himself the ‘Cazique of Poyais’ and set about raising money. To sell the scheme, he needed shiploads of settlers to set sail to Poyais. In reality, he sent most of them to their deaths on The Mosquito Coast, through disease or starvation. He accumulated around £200,000 – perhaps £25 million in today’s money.

He was a shrewd judge of social stratification and the motivations of the different classes. He exploited the upper classes and their intra-connections within the financial world, roping in Major Richardson as his unwitting convincer. He flattered his vanity by awarding him the ‘Order of the Green Cross’, Richardson proving to be a forerunner of the ‘useful idiot’, perhaps. He exploited the middle classes’ resentment at finding their social and financial ambitions blocked by a glass ceiling.

Blue Bar Productions brings MacGregor to life in a most innovative way, framing The Wolf of Poyais as a wealth creation and self-improvement seminar, hosted by the man himself.

Thom Tuck takes to the stage as MacGregor with a swagger, walking us through his steps to financial success. Leaning into the language and tropes of manifestation, evangelical and guru genres, he walks us through his key lessons, while threading the story of MacGregor’s extraordinary adventures.

Tuck has the natural charisma and showmanship of the conman. His storytelling is exceptional, engaging the audience and moving the tale with well-judged pace. His comic timing is sharp, as he entertainingly sheds light on this purveyor of snake oil.

This is a cautionary tale. MacGregor’s sell of the fictional Poyais would not bear much scrutiny in today’s internet era. Yet, financial scams, pump and dump campaigns, and unregulated crypto and blockchain ventures continue to persuade and thrive. Some things never change - the conman understands what people want so dearly, that they stop asking questions.

A splendid hour’s Fringe, in the hands of a highly skilled performer.

Assembly Roxy, Roxburgh Place, until 30^th August.