Fourteen years after leaving Lanarkshire in the aftermath of a traumatic sexual assault, Jon Gerrard McFaulds returns to Scotland with his critically acclaimed autobiographical play Acts of Contrition, making its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026. The show tells the remarkable true story of how a working-class Catholic boy became one of Spain's best-known drag performers, Bonnie Oui Laddie, transforming shame and secrecy into self-acceptance, sequins and stardom.
From Bargeddie to Barcelona
Raised in the village of Bargeddie within a devout Catholic family, McFaulds spent years battling feelings of guilt and shame around his sexuality. Now 37, he reflects candidly on coming to terms with his sexuality during the 1990s and 2000s. 'I grew up in Bargeddie with my granny in a quite an old-fashioned Catholic family, but from a young age I carried an enormous amount of guilt about being gay,' he said. 'I actually play my granny in the play, and another actress plays a nun that was also my granny’s best friend.'
McFaulds did not come out until he was in his 20s in 2013, and soon afterwards made the life-changing decision to move to Barcelona following a traumatic assault. 'After that, I felt I had to leave home behind. Barcelona gave me the freedom to rebuild myself and discover who I really was. That's where Bonnie Oui Laddie was born. In many ways, drag saved my life,' he added.
A Sell-Out Success in Barcelona
Already a sell-out success in Barcelona, where it has enjoyed four sold-out runs, Acts of Contrition explores Catholic guilt, queer identity, family expectations and the transformative power of drag through a deeply personal lens packed with millennial nostalgia, humour and emotional honesty. The show charts McFaulds' journey from schoolboy to internationally celebrated drag performer, blending comedy, confession, music and theatrical storytelling. Audiences meet a cast of vivid characters including Madonna, a formidable nun and the fabulous queen McFaulds was always destined to become.
'This isn’t a poor me play – this is my full-circle moment,' McFaulds said. 'Edinburgh will be the first time I ever take the stage in Scotland as Bonnie Oui Laddie. Fourteen years ago, I left the country still hiding. Now I’m coming back completely at peace, in full drag, back to the scene of the crime – and I’ve never been happier to own every single chapter of that story.'
Documentary and Broader Impact
Alongside the Fringe production, McFaulds has also been filming a documentary charting the creation of the play and his journey back to Scotland. While celebrating progress for LGBTQ+ communities, he also hopes the show will spark conversations about the challenges facing queer people today. 'Making this show has been pure therapy. Every performance feels like another layer of healing. The documentary captures that process and what it means to return home after spending years trying to outrun parts of your past,' he continued.
Performance Details
Described by audiences as 'heartbreaking, heartwarming and humorous', Acts of Contrition is ultimately a story of survival, self-forgiveness and finding pride in every chapter of your life. The show takes place at Braw Venues (Hill Street), Edinburgh AoC on August 7-30. It starts at 1pm and lasts 60 minutes, with tickets priced £14/£12.
