"...The piece overall has an engaging
directness and an ability to draw
in a local audience with its brand
of humour and comment...

...the cast excel..."
Joy Watters, THE COURIER

 

 

On 1 June 1878 the longest bridge in the world, linking Fife with Dundee, was opened.

A mere 18 months later, on the stormy night of 28 December 1879, a section of the bridge collapsed taking with it the Edinburgh to Dundee train and the seventy five people aboard.

Five Pound & Twa Bairns tells of three fictional women from very different backgrounds, representative of the many people left devastated by the tragedy, who all lose men in the disaster.

It is the story of Rebecca who is awaiting the return from India of her husband, a General who is retiring from the army, with trepidation.

Of Grace, a widow preparing for the arrival of her student son from Edinburgh University, unaware that he bearing a dark secret.

And of Mary, a lassie from the Hilltoon who is expecting her husband and a fat wage packet and ends up with neither, left instead with five pound and twa bairns.

Based on an idea by director John Nimmo, who co-wrote the book, the show has a score written by Mairi Paton and Mike Gibb.

The musical play enjoyed a highly acclaimed inaugural run at the Gardyne Theatre, Dundee in September 2005 before transferring to the Byre Theatre, St Andrews in February 2006.

It enjoyed successful runs in Aberdeen in October 2006 and the Dundee Rep in June 2007, raising funds for the Mary Slessor Foundation.

 

"...One of those shows you can lose yourself in.
Cosy, funny and, of course, very moving,
it has a genuine sense of place and time.
The cast are nothing short of outstanding..."
Roddy Phillip, PRESS & JOURNAL.