A Horse for Every Man that Died

This is the title of a new play by Cicely Gill which has been commissioned by the National Trust for Scotland at Brodick Castle, A strange title for a play you might think – but in 1914, eighty horses were shipped off from Arran to the First World War battlefields. This number eerily corresponded exactly with the number of men from Arran killed or ‘missing in action’ during that war.

Amongst the many events commemorating the centenary of the carnage that was WW1, this is Arran’s own play about the people who lived here and the way their lives were changed for ever by a situation over which they had no control. The action of the play is based on events that really happened to Arran people during the conflict. At times very funny, it is at the same time a touching memorial to those who served and died.

The play is funded by the North Ayrshire Legacy Fund through Arran Theatre and Arts Trust, which is collaborating with Brodick Castle on the project. It will be performed in the Community Theatre, Arran High School at 7.30 on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd August as part of The McLellan Arts Festival. Tickets £8.00 from Book and Card Centre or online www.arrantickets.com.

Cicely writes to say she has only just been able to catch up with rehearsals of her play, due to other commitments. She says, “It was lovely to see the enthusiasm of everybody – especially the young people. The play requires each of the 12 actors to do more than one part and they dealt well with this, as well as standing in for members of the cast who couldn’t make it because of having to work. Heather was her usual skilled, encouraging self and it was great to watch her making suggestions and them taking them up, both parties doing this so gracefully.”

The actors include Wallace Currie, Finlay Murchie, James Mutch, Ceilé Swinton-Boyle, Robert Ingham, Molly Hodkinson, Iona Flewitt, Alan Nichol, Campbell Seaton and Sarah Cook.

The details of all the events throughout the McLellan Festival can be found here.