Welcome Dunedin Cast to this blog for "Bonnie Prince Charlie" - to be performed at the OBHS Auditorium for the 2013 Fringe Festival.
The way in which this blog will be used is to give information about rehearsals / updates / information etc, as it comes to hand.
Producer: David McLachlan (Hamilton)
Director: Cecilia Mooney (Hamilton)
Co-Director: Kimberley Fridd (Dunedin)
Look forward to seeing you in rehearsals!
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Details for show :
Thursday 21st March 2013 @ 7.00pm at OBHS Auditorium
Saturday 23rd March 2013 @ 7.00pm at OBHS Auditorium
Rehearsals during show week:
Wednesday 20th March @ OBHS from 5.30pm onward
(to do 2 full runs of show)
Thursday 21st March @ OBHS from 1.30pm onward
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BONNY PRINCE CHARLIE : the story of
the ‘45
FOR
THE DUNEDIN FRINGE FESTIVAL 2013
First
performed at The HAMILTON FRINGE FESTIVAL 2012
At
The Meteor Theatre Victoria St. Hamilton
SEPTEMBER
22 & 23
START
Singers in their place.
A full black-out.
Sound of pipes during blackout. (Piper
situated off stage.)
Fade up lights. Daylight feel
STARTING SCENE children’s dialogue;
Enter children & Ian, talking about
the H.P.movie they have just seen. Ask Uncle Ian about it and he refers to
filming being done where he grew up in Scotland. which leads to him telling them that Glenfinnan is now also famous
today for being near the curved railway viaduct that the can be seen carrying
the Hogwarts express train taking Harry Potter and his fellow pupils to school…which leads into them asking him to tell
them more about his history. They all Exit.
Fade down lights to blackout
The children’s chorus “You take the high road” (chorus only
x2)
(Narrator moves over to chair in
blackout)
NARRATIVE ONE
Way back in the 13th
Century, Wallace, and Bruce fought for Scotland’s independence from England,
and kept it for nearly 300 years.
Then in the 16th century, Mary Queen of
Scots, a devout Catholic, from the ruling Stuart household was
wrongly imprisoned, and after 3 years executed by her powerful
cousin, Queen Elizabeth the 1st of England. When Elizabeth died in 1603 without an
heir, it was Mary’s son that became James the sixth of Scotland, and also James
the 1st of England resulting in the union of crowns of Scotland and
England.
Later, with much political wrangling, James the second was deposed and Britain started a period of
importing Royalty; Protestant ones. First, came William of Orange from
the Netherlands, then, the Hanoverians from Germany, who started the current
royal family.
The Catholic Stuarts however,
still had loyal support, especially in the Highlands of Scotland, who were
known as Jacobites- the Latin name for James, and they were in no mood to have
foreign Protestant Royalty rein over them. Several Jacobite uprisings over the
years were suppressed by the British Government, The first in 1689 was unsuccessful though with some notable military
successes. Lead by the gallant Viscount Bonnie Dundee- who unfortunately was killed at
the resounding Jacobite victory at Killiecrankie. During these uprisings, the Highlanders perfected their lethal
weapon-THE HIGHLAND CHARGE- charging headlong downhill tearing the enemy
to ribbons in the onslaught. - though this
would inevitably be their downfall as we'll see later!. After the failed 1715
rebellion the govt built a system of roads and forts all over the highlands so they
could police the troublesome natives. But Scots people
don’t give up easily, holding onto the desire to have a Stuart on the throne
instead of a German Lairdie! As soon as James the 3rds son Bonnie Prince
Charlie was old enough, those desires became practical again! The young
Pretender to the Throne arrived in Scotland with promises of
support from France, Troops, Gold and Supplies to assist in the rebellion. In
August 1745 the Stuart standard/flag was raised at Glenfinnan and a rallying
call was made to summon all loyal supporters!
At end of narrative, fade up lights on singers and
down on Narrator.
Bonny Prince Charlie being welcomed
Actors form a group around the central
figure of Bonny Prince Charlie (BPC) while song is being sung.Raise the
standard yay!
Song One (Sound the
pibroch part 1)
At end of song, actors exit, high energy.
Fade up lights on Narrator and down on singers.
Narrative
Two
Clans rallied to the standard. Promises of help from France – gold and an
invasion force – helped raise people’s beliefs.
Charlie was an enthusiastic and handsome charmer, and apparently some
chiefs came to provide a polite refusal to help, only to succumb to his
persuasive nature and join up.
Village Scene:
Enter Actors and mime their various
activities
To match narration a clan chief sends a
messenger off with an invitation to them to rally.
Later in dialogue arrival messenger
followed by BPC & highland army who are welcomed into the village.
The feudal system of clan society meant that clan
chiefs could call their clansmen up for battle.
Clansmen were not professional soldiers, but generally crofters, farmers
and trades people, and occasional raiders of their neighbor’s sheep and cattle,
so taking them away from their families and living can’t have made it easy for
those called up nor those left behind.
Song Two “Charlie is my darling”
Narrative
Three
Many clans armies were raised, and the Govt in London
sent General Sir Johnnie Cope up north to deal with the uprising. He challenged
Bonnie Prince Charlie and the highland army to battle at Prestonpans, heavily
outnumbered by a stronger govt force, they cleverly outmanouvered Copes army by
sneaking through a swamp and fell on them at daybreak with thunder and
sword.
The cowardly Cope ran off, leaving his men in
disarray with 500 dead, to the loss of only 25 Jacobites.
At end of narrative, fade down lights on narrator
and up on singers.
Battle of Prestonpans
Highland charge decimates redcoats-though quarter
was given by jacobites.
Song Three – Johnnie Cope
Exit Cope as he runs off, later followed by a few
bedraggled redcoats.
Narrative Four
Returning
to Edinburgh, and Hollyrood Palace, the Princes’ ancestral home, the Jacobite
army remained for six weeks, celebrating success, gaining support and planning
strategies.
Banquet at Hollyrood palace:
B.P.C. Scots gentry’ men and women
Servants
Singing group join table
Seated at long tables
During banquet we will have;
Solo song,
Group song? SONG FOUR
Dancing and piper
Fiddle player.
Fun, relaxed and happy bright atmosphere
Narrative
Five
Against the advice of his senior staff, the
Prince demanded to proceed into England. The government forces were nowhere to
be seen and the opportunity too good to miss. The Jacobites with remarkable
speed took Carlisle. The fall of which was nothing short of disaster for the
Government. From Carlisle the Jacobite Army raced on tho seize the vital
crossings of the Mersey before they could be destroyed. Penrith fell on
November 20th, Kendle on the 23rd and Preston on the 26th.
Reaching Derby on the 6th of December, a clear road to London was in
sight. With the Jacobite Army’s’ morale at it’s highest the decision was made
to retreat back into Scotland, for there were too many uncertainties facing the
commanders;, rumors of an army larger than their own advancing nearby, 1000
jacobites had already returned to Scotland, the French invasion support was not
confirmed, and Jacobite support from the English was disapointingly minimal.
The disbelieving Prince argued with his council,
contemplating retreat was outrageous .The retreat order however was given on
the 5th of December, a day ever after known as BLACK FRIDAY
BPC Arguing
BPC and his advisors are arguing
Song Five Ye Jacobites
Narrative
Six
Attempts to send supplies across the sea from
France met bad weather, this and harassment by the Royal Navy meant that the
Jacobites were running out of supplies. Whilst Charlie had some support, as
soon as they retreated from Derby, the French lost interest.
Once they got back to Scotland,
more skirmishes were fought; General Hawley came out from Edinburgh Castle to
seek the Jacobite army. This move proved costly for the arrogant Hawley who was
completely routed at the battle of Falkirk with the loss of 500 men.
The tiring Jacobite army split
into two parts, heading north, meeting up in Inverness. A battle site was
selected at Culloden to see to the government troops, it was decided a night
attack on Cumberland’s forces would give the Prince an edge, but by this time
many of the men were so hungry theyd
gone to Inverness in search of food, by the time the men were rounded up it was
nearly dawn, and the element of surprise was lost.
Culloden, after battling all over
Britain was an utter disaster for Bonnie Prince Charlie and his war weary
Jacobite army. Coming up against Cumberlands well fed crack govt troops on a
flat heather clad battlefield that didn’t suit
the highland charge, was an impossible task. The brave highlanders were
cut to ribbons as they valiantly charged towards the govt lines, superior
numbers of cannon and rifle fire made short work of the proud Jacobite
soldiers.
Fade down lights on narrator at end of narrative.
Sound of guns and smoke. Then, fade up lights on singers.
BATTLE SCENE BETWEEN RED COATS &
JACOBITES
During the song, enter actors “Jacobites”
and “Red coats” from opposite sides. A choreographed, battle incorporating the
highland charge with red coats standing, in a line. With “freeze frames”.
At the end, dramatize the carnage
following the battle, can have some soldiers intimidating the women.
(Indication of rape)
There is a heap of bodies being prodded
with bayoneted.
Fade down lights on singers and actors who leave in
blackout.
Song Six – Sound the
pibroch 2part
Sound of bagpipes in blackout before
fading up for narrator.
Narrative
Seven
Cumberland became known as the Butcher of Culloden.
He got hold of the Jacobites code of practice, falsifying it to say they would
show no mercy to the wounded which was
the honourable practice at the time. Knowing that his own men would then treat
the Highlanders with the same and fight for their lives .
Genocide and a scorched earth policy by the British
govt was carried out on the highland people after the defeat at Culloden. The
very name “Culloden” sticking in the heart and soul of every scot for evermore,
as the countrys darkest day, but also for what happened afterwards.
After the
battle, Culloden became infamous for the wounded and escapees being hunted
down, imprisoned and executed, or put to the bayonet when they were
caught. The killing lasted for days,
anything Scottish within miles was burnt, pillaged, put to the sword or raped,
victorious troops were out of control.
Harassment of villagers
Enter villagers who are harassed,
molested by Red coats.
Song Seven:
Narrative
Eight
Charlie escaped and was led through the
highlands. Clan’s people risked their
lives to hide and smuggle him towards safety
Although a very big reward $30,000 – an absolute
fortune in those days no-one betrayed him – quite remarkable given that his
campaign had failed, people had lost their lives, and not everyone in Scotland
supported his cause.
Amongst those that helped him was one Flora McDonald
she helped disguise him as Betty Burke – a maid servant. And he lived as Flora’s maidservant for
several weeks until he was able to get a boat back to France, .She herself was
imprisoned but later released and eventually emigrated to America,.
At end of narrative, fade down lights on narrator.
Fade up on singers.
Special lights on boat as, it moves from one side
stage front to the other.
Before boat travel we see Flora MacD.
& BPC make a scurried trip across the stage.
Boat travel
In boat are BPC & 1 other. Who may be
pushing it across? Journey takes length of the song.
Song Eight – Over Sea to
Skye
At end of song fade down lights on singers and up
on narrator.
Narrative
Nine
Once Charlie had gone, many of his supporters hoped
he would raise further support and come back again, but it wasn’t to be.
At dinners, people would often have to make a loyal
toast to the King. It became common practice for Scots to pass their wine glass
over a glass of water before drinking – signifying to those in the know that
they were really toasting their own King across the water.
Enter actors who are clan folk gathering
at the waters edge.
Song Nine Will ye no come back
Narrative ten.
Escape wasn’t easy – when people moved, they often
took their roof with them, and that wasn’t easy when you were a fugitive on the
run. Burning people’s roofs made it very difficult for families to start again.
Many prominent clans and people were made an example
of. Lord Lovat “The Fox” - Clan chief Simon Fraser, was the last person to be
beheaded for treason in the Tower of London.
Facilities for prisoners were not readily available
so ships were used – ones that were no longer seaworthy – not even fit for the
slave trade. Prisoners were kept languishing in ships in appalling conditions –
without medical care, nor adequate food and water for days. Many died from
their wounds, and from disease, and those that were left had their spirit
broken through hunger, thirst and illness.
The next song was found scratched on a cell wall in
Carlisle prison, probably written by a Jacobite prisoner awaiting
execution. He has had a visit from his
fiancée, and is fare welling her. The
song imagines his farewell on the night before his death. In the song, the low road is the
swift route taken by the prisoner’s soul after his death as his soul instantly
goes back home. The high road is
the journey of several days that his fiancée will have to make alone – on
horseback or cart if she was lucky.
At end of narration lights fade down on narrator
and pool of light on actor.
PRISON SCENE
Actor in chains and 1 guard.
Singers to sing song in darkness if
possible.
Song ten – Loch Lomond
At end of the song, a brief black out to allow
actors to exit. Then, fade lights up on Narrator.
Narrative
Eleven
Divide and rule was the strategy adopted after the
rebellion was over.
Transportation took people away, knowing full well
that, once they had served their time, they would probably stay away.
Highland clearances were not only because of the
rebellion. They also had a large
economic purpose in changing land from small crofts to making money for the
landowners from sheep and hunting.
Landlord owners were often kept in their position
because they were sympathetic to London, so the clearances of people to
overseas colonies and to lowland industrial cities probably served more than
one purpose. The dispersal of the clans
was one of these.
The use of Highland regiments serving the British
Army was expanded, these Brave Highland Regiments were used at the forefront of
every military campaign to expand the British Empire. Keep the fighting qualities, allow the men
their culture, ship them off to serve overseas, and buy the families loyalties
with the wages sent back home. And put
English officers in charge, just in case of rebellious thoughts. Officers from Culloden who had refused
Cumberland’s orders of butchery (Such as General Wolfe) were well respected by
the highland soldiers.
At the end of narrative fade lights down on the
narrator and up on singing group. Light actors.
FAREWELL
SCENE
Actors will be grouped as a family saying
farewell to their relatives and friends as they leave. They will exit at
different sides keep a light on them as they make this ‘journey’ at one point,
some will fall back for a last hug or to pick up something which has been
dropped then continue on their way.
As they move, lighting can be dimmed.
Song Eleven – Destitution
Rd
At the end of the song, fade down lighting on
singing group and up on Narrator.
Narrative
Twelve
The feeling in Scots hearts was that we were so close
to regaining our independence, we still wonder what might’ve happened. The
pride of the nation is alive in our beliefs and culture, and now a strong
movement for independence rises again, where thankfully through peaceful
political lines, we may be” that nation again”.
Play/sing- Flower of Scotland
As actors etc come into take bows etc
BOWS
Enter other dancer for bow with dancer and piper
The actors enter for bow, Children, adult actors, musos. then the
singers, then, all turn to thank Narrator who will take bow then sound and
lighting
Keep
general lighting and house lights up for this.
Props Narrator
Head Mike
Chair and table
Whisky bottle and glass (cold tea version)
Tartan cloth to decorate chair
Clip-on light, A folder or compendium to tell the
story from.
Actors-props
Chains, Boat
Guns/Bayonette
Fabric-bundles/bags
Smoke machine (DO WE NEED TO TEMPORARILY TURN OF
THE SMOKE ALARMS WHILE SMOKE MACHINE IS RUNNING TO AVOID FIRE BRIGADE CALL
OUT?)
Pre recorded music for audience arrival and
departure
