This is the first play I wrote, in the early 1980s. I have
been able to use the lock-down to get it typed up neatly and published on
Kindle. Here is the link to it.
The play was written as part of teaching, for a Primary 7
class, so do not expect an adult treatment. But I do not believe in writing
down for children, so it is not “childish”, however you may define that. Because
we were making use of a lot of classroom time, and I was not yet Head of Department
to do whatever I would, the play covers a lot of medieval history. The feudal
system, outlawry, monastic reform, Scottish power politics of the twelfth
century, Norman influence, royal government and the founding of the Royal Burgh
of Edinburgh are all part of the story.
So anxious was I that the play could be used to teach a
little medieval history, there are footnotes – sometimes extracts from primary
sources – showing how the various events are closely based on historical
record. It also makes clear which characters are invented by me and which ones
definitely existed.
In those days our school was all boys (except for the Sixth
Form) and in any case books about the twelfth century in those days did not
deal enough with women. So the characters are all male. This does not, of
course, prevent girls enjoying it, or taking part in it if you want to arrange
a read-though. Half the point of acting is that you play someone different from
the person you really are.
I realised, while typing it up, that the story of one boy
coping with rapid changes in his society is a treatment that owes something to
my childhood reading of Rosemary Sutcliff. I see nothing to be ashamed of in
that; rather the reverse. The target audience originally was parents. I suppose
the target readership is ages 9-12. But unless you are reasonably well up on
the reign of David I it is likely to contain some Scottish history that is new
to you.
Everyone who knows Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” will remember
Donalbain, the younger brother of Malcolm who says “To Ireland I” and
disappears from the play. He is the
Donald Bane of the title. I have seen his name spelled Donald Bain and Donald
Ban. I am sure that Gaelic speakers may dispute all these spellings. All I can
do is refer you to the introduction to “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom” by T.E.
Lawrence where he challenges those who criticise his transliterations of Arabic
names.
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