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James Plays, The

The James Plays are a modern cycle of history plays by award-winning playwright Rona Munro. This vividly-imagined trilogy brings to life three generations of Stewart Kings who ruled Scotland in the tumultuous fifteenth century. 

Each play stands alone as a unique vision of a country tussling with its past and future; viewed together they create a complex and compelling narrative on Scottish culture and nationhood. An ensemble of 20 actors takes the audience through a rarely-explored period of history with playful wit and boisterous theatricality.

More information on this production is available at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com.

The critical consensus

They are still on a massive scale, superbly staged and wonderfully acted.

****(*)Hugh Simpson, All Edinburgh Theatre, 07/02/2016

As a digestible, diverting historical tale, James I is fine, but that’s not enough when everything else about it – the visuals, the title, the whole concept of a trilogy – suggests it was aiming for something much grander. Fortunately, there is better to come…

**(*)(*)(*)Robert James Peacock, TVBomb, 07/02/2016

James II marks a clear advance on its predecessor.

***(*)(*)Robert James Peacock, TVBomb, 07/02/2016

The final episode of Rona Munro‘s James Plays trilogy is its most colourful and lush.

****(*)Robert James Peacock, TVBomb, 07/02/2016

Laurie Sansom's thrilling, magnificently orchestrated production.

****(*)Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 08/02/2016

Individually, James I: The Key Will Keep the Lock – 4.5 stars, James II: The Day of the Innocents – 3 stars and James III: The True Mirror – 3.5 stars. Collectively – 3.5 stars.

***(*)(*)Gareth Davies, The Reviews Hub, 08/02/2016

James I: The first part of the James Trilogy is a strong starter.

****(*)Sarah McIntosh, Broadway Baby, 09/02/2016

James II: Melodramatic and overplayed as a whole.

***(*)(*)Sarah McIntosh, Broadway Baby, 09/02/2016

James III: The True Mirror is the strongest of the three James Plays.

****(*)Sarah McIntosh, Broadway Baby, 09/02/2016

Rona Munro’s day-long reimagining of 15th-century royal Scotland shows a nation determined to do things on its own terms.

****(*)Mark Fisher, The Guardian, 16/02/2016


Features about James Plays, The

See you, Jimmies: The James Plays

Gareth K Vile, The List, 28/01/2016

Laurie Sansom pulls the strings in James Plays revival

Susan Mansfield, The Scotsman, 01/02/2016

Scottish history James Plays trilogy set for world tour

BBC, 05/02/2016

Where and when?

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Wednesday February 3, 2016, until Saturday February 13, 2016. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival

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