The Wilson's Tales Project
“Wilson’s tales of the Borders and of Scotland: Historical, Traditionary and Imaginative”
The Wilsons Tales Project are delighted to announce the commissioning of a new dramatic presentation of one of Wilsons Tales as part of the ongoing sponsorship by the project to present new work at DunsPlayfest. 2026 will be the 6th year of the award.
John Nichol has taken on the challenge to present his take on the original tale “The Hen Pecked man”. The original was set in Birgham, so is very much a Berwickshire-based Tale. The original would probably not be seen as terribly politically correct and it will be interesting to see how modern audiences react to this tale. John has also indicated a wish to weave into the play elements of another local tale “The false Alarm” , so we may get two tales for one!
John has had a long association and interest in Wilsons tales of the Borders. He was originally involved many years ago in the writing and presentation of “Willie Wastle “ by the Rowan Tree Theatre Company, which they took to the Edinburgh festival fringe and later on two occasions to Tweedmouth, at the bicentenary of Wilsons birth in 2005 and at the request of the project in 2016 when he presented an adapted version as a one man show, a tour de force of his acting and presentational skills.
He has supported the project from the outset, being part of the presentation team for our very first life event at Paxton House back in 2013. So it is with delight the project looks forward to seeing another of his adaptations.
John commented “Wilsons Tales are a phenomenal source of inspiration for creatives. It is great to see people are becoming more aware of them again throughout not just the Borders, but the wider world, largely through the efforts of the Wilsons tales project. It is great to be working with them and looking once more to these works. It is also great to see the DunsPlayfest flourishing as it is and becoming a real platform for new material thanks to initiatives like this.”
Autumn 2024 -Spring 2025 Tour
El Duglas
THE PLAY
Back in the late nineties, John decided he would like to tell the story of Sir James Douglas - the ‘Good Sir James’ to the Scots, and the ‘Black Douglas’ to those south of the border. The play was, however, written, put aside, rewritten, put aside again, many times over the years.
John recalls, ‘it was a two-hander, a solo show, a show with music, a show without music….etc. The momentum waned and the scripts gathered dust - that is, until our tour of Wandering Willie’s Tale in 2023. Iain Fraser’s ingenious musical interpretation for Wandering Willie’s Tale gave atmosphere, depth and authenticity to the performance, and I knew that music would be the catalyst for completing the development of the Douglas show.
Taking a fresh look at the previous scripts, the character of Robert the Bruce featured highly, and having such a prominent role in Douglas’ story, I thought, who better to lead us through the tale of Sir James Douglas than the Bruce himself? Both Iain and Alistair (my fellow HotTrodders) declared themselves enthusiastic about the idea and so the final adaptation of El Duglas quickly evolved’.
Why El Duglas? Every year, in the Andalucian town of Teba, an event is held in honour of the heroic deeds of Sir James Douglas who fought and died there in the Battle of Teba in 1330 whilst en route to the Holy Land with the embalmed heart of his friend, Robert the Bruce. Sir James was Bruce’s ablest lieutenant and the most professional soldier of his day, whose menacing resourcefulness and outright genius undoubtedly led to victory in the Scottish Wars of Independence.
The show begins with Juan coming in from the Andalucian sunshine to take a break from his role as Sir James Douglas, just after a parade through the streets of Teba during the Douglas Day celebrations. Removing his surcoat, Juan becomes the Bruce, who then takes up the story…..
En mil trescientos treinta de camino tierra santa (In 1330, on his way the Holy Land)
Duglas lucho por el Rey Alfonso (El Duglas fought for King Alfonso) Pero cayo en batalla por Dios y el Rey (But fell in battle for God and King)
Abatido por los Sarracenos (Killed by the Saracen).