A weekend of free talks and performances exploring Edinburgh’s rich theatre history, takes place at the end of November (30 Nov & 1 Dec) at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, as part of Edinburgh’s 900 celebrations.
Highlights include A Noble Clown – a new solo play, written and performed by Edinburgh born actor Michael Daviot, that tells the story of Duncan Macrae (1905-1967) who has long been considered one of Scotland’s greatest actors (Whisky Galore, Para Handy, Dr Finlay’s Casebook). Featuring excerpts from Macrae’s finest roles in plays such as Jamie the Saxt, Gog and Magog, and The Warld’s Wonder, as well as his signature song, The Wee Cock Sparra sung in Glaswegian Scots, A Noble Clown is a celebration of the renaissance of Scottish Theatre in the mid-20th Century.
A Noble Clown, which will be performed twice, on Sat 30 Nov at 7pm and on Sun 1 Dec at 3.30pm, will be accompanied by a pre-curtain talk with Priscilla Barlow author of Duncan Macrae’s biography – Wise Enough to Play the Fool, speaking about Scotland’s theatre scene during Macrae’s lifetime.
Performer and playwright Michael Daviot said:
“For 20 years as an amateur and 23 as a professional, Duncan Macrae dominated the Scottish stage. He co-founded Scottish Equity and loudly promoted Scottish Independence. Remembered mainly for his Hogmanay rendition of The Wee Cock Sparra and as the Pipe Major in Tunes of Glory, his greatest work was done on stage in roles such as Jamie the Saxt, Harry Magog and Michael Scott in plays by Robert McLellan, James Bridie and Alexander Reid. But he was also acclaimed in Macbeth, An Inspector Calls, Ionesco’s Rhinoceros (with Laurence Olivier) and the original production of Joe Orton’s Loot. He and the works he found fame in deserve to be rediscovered.”
Donald Smith, Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival said:
“A golden age of Scottish theatre talent fed into the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, making it a special century in Edinburgh’s 900 official years. Don’t miss out on a weekend of drama backstage and out front.”
Other speakers in the talks programme include: Helen Graham author of debut novel The Real Mackay: Walter Scott’s Favourite Comedian based on the life of her ancestor Charles Mackay, one of the finest Scottish comedians of the 19th century who performed regularly at the Theatre Royal, and was one of Walter Scott’s favourite comedians; journalist and author of The Edinburgh Festival: A Biography David Pollock; author of Edinburgh: Our Storied Town Donald Smith speaking about the Pleasance and Gateway Theatres; and Development Director Charlotte di Corpo on the restoration of the Kings Theatre.
Scottish Theatre History Weekend Programme
30 Nov – 1 Dec
All events take place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SR All Talks are free but ticketed. A Noble Clown tickets are £12.
Sat 30 Nov
2pm: Walter Scott’s National Dramas, Charles Mackay and the Theatre Royal (with Helen Graham, author of The Real Mackay: Walter Scott’s Favourite Comedian)
3:20pm: Restoring the King’s Theatre (with Charlotte di Corpo, Capital Theatres Trust)
4pm: Edinburgh’s Theatres and the Edinburgh Festivals (with David Pollock, author of The Edinburgh Festival: A Biography and Donald Smith, author of Edinburgh: Our Storied Town
7pm: A Noble Clown, a new play about Duncan Macrae (devised and performed by Michael Daviot)
Sun 1 Dec
1:30pm: Duncan Macrae: Writing his Life (with Priscilla Barlow author of Wise Enough to Play the Fool: A Biography of Duncan Macrae, and Iain Wigglesworth)
3.30pm: A Noble Clown, a new play about Duncan Macrae (devised and performed by Michael Daviot) £12
