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 13^th 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 1^st 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 20^th, Kendle on the 23^rd and Preston on the 26^th. Reaching Derby on the 6^th 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 5^th 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