Plays
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The Spirit of Robbie Burns
The Spirit of Robbie Burns is a theatrical presentation, suitable for performance on stage and in other venues, which is ideal for amateur and professional performers, Burns Clubs or Societies, schools and groups of all ages. Robbie, the Bard, returns in “spirit” and we meet well-known characters in his life as he tells his story supplemented by narrative, song, poetry and dialogue. |
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The Spirit of Robbie Burns features authentic Robert Burns songs including "My Love is like a Red Red Rose", "A Rosebud by my Early Walk", "The Rigs o’ Barley", "Bonie Wee Thing", "Afton Water", "Ae Fond Kiss", "A Man’s a Man for a’ That" and "The Banks o’ Doon", and performances of Burns's poetical works such as "To a Mountain Daisy", "The Fornicator", "Death and Dr Hornbook", "Willie", "Will Ye go to The Indies, My Mary?", "A Dream", "Hen Pecked Country Squire", "Rough Roads", "Addressed to an Artist", "Address to Edinburgh", "Of A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blaw", "Verses to Clarinda", "Tam O’Shanter", "The Five Carlins", "On Being asked Why God made Miss D so Little and Mrs A so Big" and "Marriage".
Robbie wrote The Spirit of Robbie Burns while living in Ilfracombe, North Devon. The first showing was on a hotel stage in a ballroom and performed by the town’s Studio Theatre Group. He intended to give his theatrical friends a Burns supper with a difference, and the play was ideally suited for such a purpose.
On that occasion, he arranged the Burns Supper to take place between parts 2 and 3. The evening was a big success, with Robbie's English friends soon clamouring for parts to play. The play's cast can be easily extended to include additional singers, poetry readers and narrators. Likewise, stage settings, costumes and props can be left entirely to suit circumstances; in fact, it does not require a stage or special effects at all. It depends simply on how theatrical a specific performance needs to be.
The Spirit of Robbie Burns was first performed in Scotland in January 2015 when Robbie's friends Rodger Brunton and James Hutcheson, two experienced theatre directors, kindly arranged to stage it in Comrie Hall, Carnoustie. Robbie was, and remains, extremely grateful for their encouragement. Since then James has arranged performances each January in Arbroath and in several churches around the County of Angus with the next scheduled performance in Friockheim, Angus in 2020. This successful run is due to the time and effort of James and his regular "cast" of friends who present the play and raise funds for charity.
As he relates his life story, Burns himself is with us "in spirit", together with a few of the characters in his life. He has shaken off his mortal coil to tell us about his observations of the people, places and attitudes of his day and his joys, worries, frustrations... and - oh yes - his loves. Enjoy his satire, his romantic view of the Ayrshire countryside, his escapades in Edinburgh and his retreat to Dumfries. Technically it’s not a play: more a theatrical stage presentation.
Robbie offers grateful thanks to Mr Duguid of the Burns Federation for his support and for providing copies of authentic handwritten correspondence to and from Robert Burns, and to theatrical directors, producers and Burns enthusiasts for their valuable testimonials.
The play is now in shape to reach a wider audience and complimentary comments from the director, cast and audience have inspired Robbie to offer it out in the world so that Burns enthusiasts may enjoy. For more information about how professional organisations or amateur clubs, societies or groups can arrange a performance of The Spirit of Robbie Burns, including details of relevant fees, please contact Robbie using the contact page for details. A discounted cost for schools is available on application.
NOTE: No part of the charge is related to Burns' songs and poems or to the extracts from authentic letters.
Should you decide to purchase and perform this theatrical presentation, Robbie always welcomes your news and opinions as he likes to keep notes of where around the world it is presented. He would be very grateful if you would please let him know when and where it is performed, especially if you are willing to share with him a copy of your programme, cast, costumes and any photos. Thank you, and enjoy!
On that occasion, he arranged the Burns Supper to take place between parts 2 and 3. The evening was a big success, with Robbie's English friends soon clamouring for parts to play. The play's cast can be easily extended to include additional singers, poetry readers and narrators. Likewise, stage settings, costumes and props can be left entirely to suit circumstances; in fact, it does not require a stage or special effects at all. It depends simply on how theatrical a specific performance needs to be.
The Spirit of Robbie Burns was first performed in Scotland in January 2015 when Robbie's friends Rodger Brunton and James Hutcheson, two experienced theatre directors, kindly arranged to stage it in Comrie Hall, Carnoustie. Robbie was, and remains, extremely grateful for their encouragement. Since then James has arranged performances each January in Arbroath and in several churches around the County of Angus with the next scheduled performance in Friockheim, Angus in 2020. This successful run is due to the time and effort of James and his regular "cast" of friends who present the play and raise funds for charity.
As he relates his life story, Burns himself is with us "in spirit", together with a few of the characters in his life. He has shaken off his mortal coil to tell us about his observations of the people, places and attitudes of his day and his joys, worries, frustrations... and - oh yes - his loves. Enjoy his satire, his romantic view of the Ayrshire countryside, his escapades in Edinburgh and his retreat to Dumfries. Technically it’s not a play: more a theatrical stage presentation.
Robbie offers grateful thanks to Mr Duguid of the Burns Federation for his support and for providing copies of authentic handwritten correspondence to and from Robert Burns, and to theatrical directors, producers and Burns enthusiasts for their valuable testimonials.
The play is now in shape to reach a wider audience and complimentary comments from the director, cast and audience have inspired Robbie to offer it out in the world so that Burns enthusiasts may enjoy. For more information about how professional organisations or amateur clubs, societies or groups can arrange a performance of The Spirit of Robbie Burns, including details of relevant fees, please contact Robbie using the contact page for details. A discounted cost for schools is available on application.
NOTE: No part of the charge is related to Burns' songs and poems or to the extracts from authentic letters.
Should you decide to purchase and perform this theatrical presentation, Robbie always welcomes your news and opinions as he likes to keep notes of where around the world it is presented. He would be very grateful if you would please let him know when and where it is performed, especially if you are willing to share with him a copy of your programme, cast, costumes and any photos. Thank you, and enjoy!
Photography is Copyright © Eleanor Jewson
The Spirit of Robbie Burns at the Edinburgh Fringe
Robbie's play was performed to much warm approval at the Edinburgh Fringe, when it was staged at St John's Church in Princes Street on Tuesday 9th August 2022. With two full-cast performances taking place at 3pm and 7pm respectively, The Spirit of Robbie Burns was brought to life for audiences in wonderfully atmospheric surroundings in this historic inner-city venue.
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Hear Robbie talk about The Spirit of Robbie Burns being staged at the Edinburgh Fringe in an episode of the Extremis Publishing Publishing Podcast. |
Praise for The Spirit of Robbie Burns
A refreshing change from the traditional Burns supper format. An entertaining insight making great use of original letters to and from Burns. Songs and poems interwoven to give an account of the Bard’s works. This is well balanced interpretation of Robbie Burns’ life story which all audiences of all ages will learn from and enjoy.
Miss Helen Adam, Retired Carnoustie High School Teacher of English
An interesting new take on the life of Robert Burns as seen through the eyes of the Bard himself. The three acts gives one a clear insight into his personality and thinking during different stages of his short life.
Dr Hamish Leslie, Fintry, Stirlingshire
Audiences remark on how much this theatrical presentation adds to their knowledge of Burns. Nicely balanced content of song, poetry and narrative. The characters in Burns life come alive. All students of Robert Burns works should see this.
Mr Jim Bates, Ilfracombe, North Devon, England
This presentation of Burns' life is a must for all school children in Scotland and of Scottish descent to experience. The beauty about the format of this work is that it can be read or spoken, acted or not and with or without costume, props and staging. Ideal for any group including schools.
Mr John Knox, Admirer of the Bard and established speaker at Burns’ Suppers
Over the years I have taken an active part in Burns’ Suppers not only in Scotland but around the world and I can honestly say my participation in this piece not only gave me an added knowledge of the Bard but took me on an emotional journey through his life.
Mr Rodger Brunton, Singer/Actor and Director/Producer of Carnoustie Musical Society
A well researched stage presentation about Robbie Burns with a nice mix of his well-known material alongside lots of interesting facts which we rarely hear about. Ihave directed productions of this piece and received positive feedback from the actors and audiences alike.
Mr James Hutcheson, Director of Musical shows
Press Coverage of The Spirit of Robbie Burns
English Premiere: The Spirit of Robbie Burns
AN EVENING WITH ROBBIE BURNS
(In Ilfracombe , North Devon, England, 20th January, 2007)
A Burns’ night this far south of Scotland could be a very artificial and contrived affair but thanks to Robbie Murray we were taken 300 miles or so north and 200 years back to the world of the Bard himself.
Robbie organised the venue, the casting of readers and singers and a Burns supper during an interval of the show. He also played the part of Burns in a portrayal that took us from Alloway and obscurity to Edinburgh and then to Dumfries his final residence and resting place.
It was a theatrical presentation which gave us not just the facts (though they were there) not just descriptions of who and what and where but a re-enactment with tremendous passion of the agony and ecstasy, the joys and sorrows of that turbulent life. Sat at his table, quill in hand, cup of kindness beside him, he took us through all that Burns experienced and endured recording it in his commonplace book.
It was this that gave such meaning and significance to all else that happened, the reading and singing of the lyrics that in many cases have been familiar to us since our school days. We were fortunate in having with us not only Robbie but others from north of the border who gave us the authentic sounds in reading and song.
How better to begin the evening than with the skirl of the pipes and live pipers leading in the performers.
Then the interval and the dramatic moment when the haggis was piped in and addressed by our President---a first for him. The meal was in tune with the evening, the Selkirk grace then followed by (which for most was the first experience) that unique traditional haggis dish.
To complete the life story we returned to the stage show to follow Burns and his untimely end at the tender age of 38 years but again we revelled in the heritage he has left us . How else could we have ended the evening but in the way Burns has taught the world to end all significant events - with crossed arms, holding hands and singing “Should auld acquaintance be forgot”.
Thank you Robbie Murray and thank you ‘Our Robbie Burns’ (for tonight they were one ) for a delightful and memorable evening.
Jim Bates, Ilfracombe, North Devon
