Burns revived!

Although the show was written for Burns 250th anniversary there has been quite a bit of interest again recently.  So much so that we have been out on the road again.  Sadly I omitted to Blog these but intend to rectify that!
In the interim we've been back in a few schools but also to many historical and heritage societies and groups including Torrieburn, Dunfermline, Kinross and last night the latest Kelty.
Once again the show proved  popular amongst an adult audience as well as for youngsters!

Burns at Brodie Castle

The bard and I were in Moray recently visiting the fabulous Brodie Castle. A very enthusiastic audience were full of praise for the show. It is a great venue for anything of an historic nature and Burns fitted the bill perfectly. A big thanks to Andy Ross for all his help making it happen and to the staff of the castle for their hospitality. Well done too, to the duo Pur who used the event to launch their own CD of Gaelic and Scots singing.

Burns in Caskieberran - Glenrothes

To a Mouse

The 'Bard' and I went to Glenrothes recently to deliver a short show to a very enthusiastic and well behaved group of 70 plus staff and pupils.

Excellent paintings of Rob and his poems

The youngsters have been working on the 'Year of the Homecoming' with a recent ceilidh, at which I was also delighted to play, as well as lots of work on Robert Burns. The art work behind the stage is superb as can be seen from some of the photos.

The Twa Dugs

Many of the songs were new to them but they had a try at joining in anyway. As usual a superb audience who have hopefully learnt some more about our Bard. There was the usual Q & A session at the end which brought some enthusiastic questions from the floor. An especial 'well done' to the young lady who bravely stood up and delivered a word-perfect version of 'Willie Wastle' - bravo!

Auld Lang Syne to finish off another show

Burns in Strathmiglo

I appeared in the village hall for the youngsters in Strathmiglo recently. They were very enthusiastic and we had about an hour and a quarter of Burns. They have been studying him in class and I was well impressed with the quick look I managed at their pictures and stories.
The usual time for questions brought forward one or two which showed they had been listening. So well done Strathmiglo!

Burns in Bearsden

I recently took the Burns250 show to Bearsden - to the Literary Society no less. What a wonderful evening was had by all!
A very appreciative audience made my part so much easier...and the CDs were in great demand afterwards.
My thanks to Roberta for organising it and to all who came along. We had only time for about an hour and half of Burns so a return visit was suggested and I would be delighted to go back and tell them some about our Bard.

Cupar Follow Up

I was delighted to receive a whole batch of letters from pupils in St Columba's School telling me how much they enjoyed the show. The word 'inspired' was mentioned several times and that's what this is all about really. We are obliged to introduce the next generation to the Bard and his works, for they are the future!

A special big thanks to C and M in P7 who sent me their drawing of Robert Burns (shown here) and to A in P6 for his wonderful letter.

Burns in Aberdour

Setting the scene....

Another lunch time show.....this time in Aberdour. A combined group of P6 & 7 enthusiastically responded to Burns. Once again the combination of technology and audience participation worked well at delivering the message, with some excellent feedback from the staff and the young people themselves. A series of probing questions at the end, showed that young, enquiring minds, had been well at work.

...and a traditional ending....

Burns in Kinghorn

Wee sleekit cow'rin tim'rous beastie

Another short school show, this time in Kinghorn Primary during their St. Andrew's Day celebrations. They had invited parents and friends in to show off their dancing skills, prior to performing at the Fife Festival next week, and I managed to fit in a short, half-hour presentation to over 100 adults and children. It will be interesting to see who learnt most! Once again the mousey and louse went well. The powerpoint is an excellent aid to telling this story and feedback was very favourable.

Auld Lang Syne

Burns in Bowhill

Last Saturday saw a unique collaboration between myself and Cammy Goodall - another keen Burnsian. We are both members of Bowhill People's Burns Club and joined forces for a two-man show in The Bowhill Hotel, Cardenden. Again, based around Burns' life story, illustrated by Powerpoint and featuring his most loved songs and poems, the show attracted around 60 club members and guests. Cammy added poems such as Death and Dr. Hornbook, and joined in with some of the songs. A generously supported raffle raised a considerable sum for Cancer Research and feedback from those present was very favourable.
For more photos see here

Burns in Cupar

On Sat 15th November I delivered a charity show for DebRA - based in Cupar and elsewhere: a worthwhile group helping out children with this dreadful condition. The Lodge in Cupar raised over £600 between ticket prices and the raffle. Sadly the charity itself did little to help.....no mention on their events page on the website and only two reps who turned up.

That aside the show went very well with an audience of around 60 members and guests. Some CDs sold too which is good news! Feedback was that the show was both entertaining and informative: exactly the intention. The photo shows myself in costume next to Bill Dawson the current President of the World Burns Federation who commented :

"I thoroughly enjoyed your show, there were many songs that one does not get to hear, and with you adding the additional information it is surely a very good vehicle to broaden people's understanding of the Burns story. "

Also shown are Dougie Wilson (PM) and George Letham (SM) from the Lodge.

St Helen's Primary

Well today went very well! First school and a big success. I intended to combine technology with the old story and judging by the feedback it proved a good mix. Around 45 youngsters and 4 teachers all had good fun, gave some excellent feedback and learned something too!
Alice Quinn the HT subsequently sent me this list, which she thought covered some of what the children had learned..

History:

• King George 11 (1727 - 1760)
• King Edward II ( 1284 - 1327)
• Battle of Killicrankie (1689) Highland clans supporting James II
• Battle of Culloden Moor ( 1746) Highland clans supporting Charles
• Bonnie Prince Charlie
• Jacobites
• Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
• Trip back in time via ‘Tardis’
• Male dress of 18th Cent Scotland

Geography:

• Inverness
• Places above
• Highlands and Lowlands
• Ayrshire
• Mount Oliphant
• Tarbolton
• Edinburgh
• Dumfries
• Map of Scotland
• Newfoundland
• Jamaica

Poetry and Music

• The Twa Dugs ( social subjects – rich and poor)
• Rantin Rovin Robin
• The Belles of Mauchline ( Rap)
• To a Mouse
• To a Louse
• Scots Wha Hae- tie in with Battle of Bannockburn
• Auld Lang Syne – meaning of song
• Willie Wastle’s Wife – Burns’ humour
• Tam O’ Shanter – classic tale, illustrated by slides
• Kilmarnock Edition Poems
• Edinburgh Edition Poems

Maths

• Money raised by sale of both editions (above) – old coinage
• Distances
• Ages
• Shillings / value

Language

Numerous opportunities for discussion and questions. Some of the children’s questions were:

• Was King George II ‘Mad King George?
• What was Burns’ most famous poem? (Debate – give opinion)
• Why did Burns Doctor’s treatment lead to his death rather than a cure?
• How long did Jean Armour live after Burns died?
• How did you ( the presenter) start off in your interest of Burns’ life and work?

Some opportunities for further development:

Research / discussion / writing / Activities

• What is an old clay Biggin?
• What is a ‘keystone’? ( Tam O’ Shanter)
• Why did Meg have to run for the keystone?
• Why was Bonnie Prince Charlie not on the throne?
• What were his followers called and why?
• Why did Highlanders have a bad time after the Battle of Culloden?
• Why did William Burness have to leave his home in the Highlands and come to the Lowlands?
• Where is Newfoundland?
• What is the name of the River in Dumfries?
• On a map of Scotland, plot named places, measure distances.
• What was Burns’ meaning by the lines ‘a man’s a man for a’ that’
• What was Burns’ meaning by the lines ‘the best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley’?

This truly was ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’ and the children learned more in 90 minutes than they would have done in a year.

I would thoroughly recommend that any Primary or Secondary school buy into this tremendous resource
A.Quinn HT St Helen's Primary

and so it starts....

This is a bit late really but....you know what they say...better late than.....
Next year is Robert Burns 250th anniversary so, as a keen Burns fan I decided to write a one-man show to celebrate! It had its first pilot airing in Cupar in April and is now ready to go. All the details are on www.burns250.co.uk but I thought it would be interesting to record the journey as it continues....hopefully growing into a popular show...but ...who knows.
Cupar has an audience of approx 40 - and was for a local charity. A re-run for a different charity is now scheduled for November.