Rough Magick
By kind permission, our resident Nairn Drama Club performs The comedic audio drama by Marty Ross Rough Magick
A fast-paced romp in early 17th Century Scotland.
Set in 1605 in the Scottish Highlands in which the Royal playwright Shaxberd saves King James from assassination and attempts to save an innocent girl from being condemned as a witch.
1605. Fearing further terrorist activity following the gunpowder plot, King James transports his court to the Scottish Highlands, complete with The King's Men, his favoured theatre company. This includes middle-aged, careworn, neurotic and pox-troubled playwright William Shaxberd (although he prefers being called 'Shakespeare').
When the Royal wagons get bogged down on the moors and a seemingly supernatural attempt is made on the life of the paranoid, superstitious James, a local woman, Shona, is accused of witchcraft. Shaxberd owes Shona a debt and shaking off his customary deference to authority he employs all his ingenuity and gift for theatre to help her escape the gallows.
But who was the real attacker? And does the innocent Shona have some genuine magic up her sleeve?
The radio play takes its prompt from historical facts: James's obsession with witchcraft and the political paranoia post-Gunpowder Plot; Shakespeare's being sometimes credited as 'Shaxberd' (might it have been his actual name?), his awkward position at court as a Catholic glove-maker's son, his rewriting of Scottish history in 'Macbeth' to flatter King James (Banquo's descendant); as well as the probably apocryphal story that The King's Men may have toured Scotland prior to the writing of 'Macbeth.
Join us for the live recording of this unique performance at The Little Theatre in front of a live (and participatory audience).
Friday 4th September - 7:30pm
This performance is not ticketed and free with optional donations at the door; 100% of any donations will go to supporting Nairn Drama Club and The Little Theatre in producing more great shows for Nairn. We only have 70 seats, so arrive early to guarantee a seat
If you require specific seating for mobility reasons, please send an email to manager@nairnlittletheatre.org.uk who will reserve or advise on availability