I was compelled to see this play as soon as I read its succinct by-line: a true story of a man who sold a country that did not exist. The premise alone sounded too far-fetched to be true, and yet, astonishingly, it is. On speaking with the supremely talented playwright, Sam Went, I learned that every historical reference within the play is factual.
A flip chart, pens and a man about to deliver a seminar on success; the audience is immediately drawn into this motivational workshop on how to get rich and be successful. When the speaker asks if that’s what we’re here for, we all cheer in enthusiastic agreement. Of course, we want to know how this remarkable Scottish adventurer – Sir Gregor MacGregor (played by comedian Joz Norris) managed to swindle fortunes by selling land in a country that never existed. And so, we stayed for the seminar.
What unfolds is a riveting tale of deceit, ambition, delusion and greed. MacGregor, the consummate conman, fraudster, and self-styled hero, is an antihero for the ages, a man whose charm and audacity were only matched by his moral bankruptcy. His sole aim was wealth and prestige, and no one, not kings, not governments, not entire nations would stand in his way.
Norris’s performance as MacGregor is nothing short of magnetic. Through Went’s sharply crafted script, Norris takes us through MacGregor’s “Eight Steps to Success”, written methodically on the flip chart. Each step becomes a gateway into another layer of his deception, another astonishing episode in his pursuit of glory. Norris’s delivery balances charm with menace, his movements fluid and precise as he glides across the stage, using props and costume changes to punctuate his storytelling. There is a palpable sense that he could convince anyone of anything including us, the audience.
Went’s script deftly condenses an extraordinary life into an hour and a half. MacGregor’s history is dizzyingly complex – a chequered past of military exploits, self-appointed titles, and political opportunism. From fighting in wars (and inventing ranks for himself) to being hailed as a hero in the Venezuelan Revolution, his ascent culminates in 1820 with his homecoming and declaration as Cazique of Poyais, ruler of a nation that existed only in his imagination.
MacGregor’s genius lay not just in invention, but in persuasion. He hoodwinked everyone – the British government, the King, the press, financiers, and several former prime ministers. He produced a book (under a pseudonym) detailing the riches of Poyais, describing a lush, prosperous land where the natives spoke English and eagerly awaited the arrival of British settlers. Gullible investors poured money into this colonial dream, eager to buy land in paradise. The truth, of course, was catastrophic. No spoilers here – the less you know, the better.
What makes The Wolf of Poyais so compelling is not just the story itself but the way Went tells it: sharp, witty, and unflinchingly relevant. It’s a cautionary tale about avarice, illusion, and the seductive power of confidence – themes that feel eerily relevant in our age of scams, self-made “gurus” and post-truth politics.
This is a remarkable piece of original writing, meticulously researched, imaginatively staged, and beautifully performed. Hector Laszio Cosemtatos’s direction is taut and purposeful, while Norris’s performance is captivatingly alive: funny, sly, and disturbingly persuasive.
It is a rare joy to encounter a piece of theatre that entertains so completely while also revealing something profound about human nature and history. The Wolf of Poyais is an intriguing, fascinating, and seductively performed work that deserves a far longer run and a much wider audience.
Run, don’t walk, to the Golden Goose Theatre.
Review by Bernadette Lintunen
In 1820, Gregor MacGregor returned to London from fighting in the Spanish American Wars of Independence to announce he had been made ‘Cazique’ of a new nation, Poyais. A country that did not exist, but that didn’t stop him from selling it!
Elizabeth Holmes meets Flashman, The Wolf of Poyais is a dark comedy telling the story of a swashbuckling confidence trickster and the Poyais scheme that made him (in)famous.
Joz Norris – Gregor MacGregor
Sam Went – Writer
Hector Laszio Cosmetatos – Director and Sound Designer
Frankie Vicente – Set and Costume Designer
Ruth Harvey – Lighting Designer
THE WOLF OF POYAIS
Golden Goose Theatre
21 to 25 October 2025
