Burke is a poignant haunting psychological drama which delves into the mind of notorious serial killer William Burke as he awaits his execution. Using accounts from his 2-day trial in 1828, this telling of the story will challenge the common perception about who the main protagonist was in the deadly partnership between William Burke and William Hare. Read more …
Set in the cold, dank death-cell of Calton Jail days before his execution, Burke languishes with only his jailor Captain Rose for company. Wanting to see the good in all men, the honourable Captain Rose strives to discover why these two men committed such atrocities. Set at a time when attention was focused on the splendour of Edinburgh's emerging New Town – earning the city the name ‘the Athens of the North’ – while those living in the poorer Old Town were left to fend for themselves.
Burke has been written by Edinburgh writer Caroline Dunford. It was her keen interest in the criminal mind which led West Port Productions' Stuart Nicoll and John Baxter, who also operate the 'Burke and Hare Murder Tour' to commission her to write this new play. West Port then approached Siege Perilous because of its focus on new writing to discuss staging the play. Stuart Nicoll is directing ‘Burke’, Siege Perilous is producing, and the show will also feature original music by talented Edinburgh musician Fiona Rutherford.
This is a strong, enthralling production with three excellent performances.
Over an hour of tense dialogue, Caroline Dunford's script covers some fascinating ground, in exploring the nature of evil, and Stuart Nicoll's confident production features three impressive performances, from Andrew Hainey as Burke, Gregor Firth as Hare, and Mark Kydd as the a puzzled and complex Captain Rose.
Burke Returns!
Interview: Caroline Dunford, writer, Burke
Burke & Hare murders re-examined in new play
GRV, Edinburgh from Tuesday November 16, 2010, until Saturday November 20, 2010. 8.00pm. www.siegeperilous.co.uk.