No holds Bard for Burns show

Published on Tuesday 20 January 2009 08:49

THE colourful life of Robert Burns has inspired numerous books, plays and documentaries.

Now it is being told as a musical, which will be performed at schools around the country.

Bafta-winning playwright Andrew Dallmeyer, who is based in Edinburgh, wrote the script for Burns Supper based on the Bard's best-known songs. Composer David Todd, who has brought hits such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to the city, arranged the music.

Leith Academy pupils will perform excerpts following a workshop on Sunday just before Burns Night. The complete show will be mounted by the Edinburgh Youth Theatre at the Fringe.

The producers are also distributing the script and music free to schools around the country. More than 175 have already expressed an interest in putting it on. The charity First Scottish Film Features is encouraging schools to film their production and enter it into its competition.

Mr Dallmeyer, who has written over 60 plays, was initially sceptical about writing a musical about the Bard. But after reading Burns' letters he was won over, he said, by his "remarkable creativity and sensibility".

He said: "I found him a complex, multi-faceted and paradoxical figure whose life was ruled by suffering and hardship, but who escaped through sex and drink. I used the idea of the Burns supper to present a boisterous, fantasised version of Burns – a bit of a lad, loved a drink etc – which contrasts with the harsh realities of Burns' complicated and messy life."

The play opens with the poet observing a modern day Burns supper.

He is disgusted to see that there is a "top table" as it goes against his belief that all men are equal. The story then moves back to his Ayrshire youth. It mixes new songs, as well as old favourites, such as Ae Fond Kiss, Scots Wha Hae and The De'il's Awa.

Hugh Lockhart, a trustee of First Scottish Film Features, helped persuade Mr Dallmeyer to get involved.

He said: "Burns Supper is quite simply the story of his genius, adapted to the extravagant style of a musical.

"Years ago when I was a producer for television we were discussing a programme for Burns Night and someone said, 'Why hasn't anyone made a musical on Burns?' None of us could think of a good reason.

"We felt it would be good to make it available free to all schools to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth."

Peter Thomson, who teaches music at St George's School for Girls, will lead the Leith Academy workshop.

He said he was keen to introduce young people to his work.

He said: "I think this project is long overdue. The drunken, womanising image must not overshadow his creative talent and egalitarianism.

"We've tried to show his political beliefs as well as his romantic side. It includes a duet with Jean Armour, as well as a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, which must succeed as it is long overdue.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing it on stage."