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Burke

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.


The critical consensus

This is a strong, enthralling production with three excellent performances.

***(*)(*)Thom Dibdin, Annals of Edinburgh Stage, 19/11/2010

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.

***(*)(*)Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 19/11/2010


Features about Burke

Interview: Caroline Dunford, writer, Burke

Barry Gordon, The Scotsman, 12/11/2010

Burke & Hare murders re-examined in new play

Thom Dibdin, Annals of Edinburgh Stage, 21/10/2010

Where and when?

GRV, Edinburgh from Tuesday November 16, 2010, until Saturday November 20, 2010. 8.00pm. www.siegeperilous.co.uk.

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