Borderline Theatre Company commissioned six fifteen-minute scripts to be performed open air in different towns in Ayrshire. Each one is based around a particular aspect of historical Ayrshire life. The five actors each has their stock character (like a comedia troupe) which recurrs through the six stories. The scripts can be performed separately or put together to make a whole story. They are not gospel, but are a basis around which the actors can improvise, depending on audience reactions.
Duration: 6 x 15 minute tales.
All the actors perform several parts, and sing.
The streets of Ayr.
The 'Streetplays' were performed every day (weather permitting) throughout the summer of 1997 in the principle towns of Ayrshire by Borderline Theatre Company.
[Drummer, alone, drums his way to the performance space and begins to speak.]
Drum -Oh ye! Oh Ye! Oh Ye!. Welcome Lairds, Ladies and Gentlefolk to this, the Living history of Ayr. I am Harry Hare a well respected historian and heritage hobbist, a local man, and I'm here to share my vast knowledge and great passion for dates and facts and figures with you here today. Today I will tell the story of The Earl of Cassillis and the Gypsy Johnnie Faa, self appointed 'Lord and Earl of Little Egypt'. In fifteen forty…
Tricks -Oi!
Drum -…fifteen forty the wilds of South Ayrshire…
Tricks -Oi you ye boring git!
Drum -…of Ayrshire, near the Carrick coast, were well known as the haunt of…
Tricks -Oi!
Drum -…gypsies or 'Egyptians' a prejudiced term we wouldn't use today of course…
Tricks -Shut up. Yer dry as a salt-herring's armpit I tell ye.
Drum -Excuse me, I'm trying to do a talk here.
Tricks -Aye a talk is it. All mouth nae trouser ye.
Drum -No-one asked your opinion. Kindly move on. I'm performing…
Tricks -Yer no..
Drum -…a public service.
Tricks -Sae am I: saving these folk here from rigour mortis.
Drum -They want to hear, don't you?
Tricks -No they dinnae, rather see me breathe fire, wouldn't you . Who wants tae hear this sack of sawdust give a sermon? And who wants to see me fire-breathe. Well the aye's have it!
[She breathes fire then goes round with a hat.]
Drum -You can't do that! Stop it! Don't give her a penny! There's no skill in that.
Tricks -No skill!
Drum -Are you better people for it? Did you learn anything? No. And anyway I was here first! And I'm not moving.
[He attempts to do his speech again from the beginning while she puts on a small circus. Each attempts to get closer to the audience/ higher/ louder].
Tricks - oh this isn't working. But I've an cunning plan. A rare shavie. We can work together…
Drum -Together?
Tricks -Aye.
Drum -Like a proper theatre company.
Tricks -Aye, right.
Drum -Brilliant! I'll stay here, you stand here and when I give the sign, go for it. O.k?
Trick -Fine by me.
Drum -Welcome Lairds, Ladies and Gentlefolk to this, the Living history of Ayr.
Cast left to right: (Drummer) Ross McKay, (Trickster) Louise Montgomery, (Davey) Alistair McRae, (Maggie) Carolyn Calder, (Big Man) Andrew Townsley. I don't have a record of who did the costumes, but aren't they great?
In action in Ayr town centre.