A History Of Scottish Drama In Six Plays

The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil

Listen on

Episode notes

Episode Three of A History Of Scottish Drama In Six Plays focuses on John McGrath and 7:84's 1973 play The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil.

What happened in Scottish theatre in the 1950s and 1960s? How did Scottish drama explode in the 1970s? What role did 7:84 play? What happens in The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil, and why is it so celebrated?

All this and more is explored by Professor Trish Reid, Dr Linda Mackenney, critic Joyce McMillan, and actor Bill Paterson, who helped create and starred in the original production.

The clips in the episode are from the National Theatre of Scotland's 2019 production of Men Should Weep, which was made in association with Dundee Rep and Newcastle's Live Theatre. You can find out more about the show here.

***

Written drama has existed in Scotland since the sixteenth century. This is its story.

A History Of Scottish Drama In Six Plays is a new podcast from journalist and critic Fergus Morgan, charting the story of Scottish drama from the sixteenth century to today.

Over six episodes - plus a panel discussion recording - the podcast travels from pre-Reformation Scotland to the present day, alighting on seminal plays along the way – including A Satire Of The Three Estates, Men Should Weep, Losing Venice, Passing Places, and Black Watch – and discussing their significance in the extraordinary, ongoing evolution of Scottish drama.

Featuring insights and memories from playwrights, performers, academics, critics and others, the podcast journeys from the turbulent court of King James V in the 1540s, to the bustling Traverse Theatre in the 1980s, to the uncertain industry of 2024.

A History Of Scottish Drama In Six Plays is written and produced by Fergus Morgan, with the support of the Scottish Society of Playwrights as part of their SSP@50 Fellowships, which are supported by Creative Scotland and Bespoken Media. It is made in association with the Traverse Theatre. Episodes 2, 3 and 6 are also supported by the National Theatre of Scotland.

For more information, follow the below links.

Fergus Morgan: fergusmorgan.com

Scottish Society of Playwrights: scottishsocietyofplaywrights.co.uk

Traverse Theatre: traverse.co.uk

Bespoken Media: bespoken.media

National Theatre of Scotland: nationaltheatrescotland.com