March 19 | 0 COMMENTS print
Play on Scotland’s martyr, coming to Dundee, to be published
The play on St John Ogilvie touring Scotland that everyone is talking about is coming to Dundee, and is being published by Dunkeld Diocese
The story of Scotland’s martyr John Ogilvie, brought to life in a special production for the 400th anniversary of his death, is coming to St Ninian Institute in Dundee next week and is being published by Dunkeld Diocese.
AGAP Theatre has been visiting venues across Scotland during Lent the play everyone is talking about: The Martyrdom of Saint John Ogilvie (above) written and directed by Stephen Callaghan.
The play provides a poignant snapshot of the life of one of Scotland’s true heroes, with all the excitement and drama of the tragic historical events that led to his ultimate sacrifice—when he was hanged at Glasgow Cross in on March 1615—and the spirit and humour of those who kept their faith alive during difficult times. It tells the story of John Ogilvie, a young nobleman from Banffshire who travelled to Europe as a teenager and converted to Catholicism, returning to Scotland 18 years later as a Jesuit priest disguised as a horse-dealer during turbulent times when the Mass was outlawed following the reformation. He was betrayed to the authorities by one of his flock and publicly executed at Glasgow Cross for refusing to recognise the spiritual authority of King James over that of the Pope.
The two-hour play contains some violence so it is not suitable for very young children but pupils such as the P7s from St John Ogilvie Primary, Airdrie, enjoyed the play when it came to Motherwell Diocese on March 15. This production is a revised version of the hugely successful production which premièred at Lentfest 2012 in Glasgow.
The play is also being published by Dunkeld Diocese in Theatre of Faith: Catholic Plays for Our Time, Volume Two by Stephen Callaghan. Publishing the play is become even more accessible to be read and staged.
— AGAP brings the The Martyrdom of Saint John Ogilvie to St Ninian Institute, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee, Dundee City, DD3 6XY, on March 28. Ticket cost £5; under 16s £2.