There has never been a more entertaining, gripping, or ultimately uplifting treatment of recent Scottish history.
This musical drama was designed to be toured by a small band of actor/musicians, and it was indeed toured all over the Highlands and Islands. The television production draws on some of these actual performance events, in telling the tale of how Scotland was exploited from pre-Victorian times to the present day.
Along the way we meet some great Scottish characters, and are introduced to a number of villains both ancient and modern, both local and foreign, who have seen it as their destiny to achieve 'progress' for Scotland (and simultaneously to line their own pockets) while avoiding any engagement in the disastrous effects which their actions and policies have had on the people and on the land.
Some of the eye-witness accounts that we hear, are harrowing in the extreme. It is hard indeed to remain detached while hearing of women and children - the men-folk having been shipped overseas to fight Britain's wars - being driven off their crofts with such violence that some had their skulls smashed open.
The other side of the coin, though, is the delightful crop of humorous songs, including my favourite, "We Are The Men Who Own Your Glen".
John McGrath has produced other great plays, and both the Scottish and English 7:84 Theatre Companies have often performed with greatness. But this remains the best of their oevre, in my eyes.
This musical drama was designed to be toured by a small band of actor/musicians, and it was indeed toured all over the Highlands and Islands. The television production draws on some of these actual performance events, in telling the tale of how Scotland was exploited from pre-Victorian times to the present day.
Along the way we meet some great Scottish characters, and are introduced to a number of villains both ancient and modern, both local and foreign, who have seen it as their destiny to achieve 'progress' for Scotland (and simultaneously to line their own pockets) while avoiding any engagement in the disastrous effects which their actions and policies have had on the people and on the land.
Some of the eye-witness accounts that we hear, are harrowing in the extreme. It is hard indeed to remain detached while hearing of women and children - the men-folk having been shipped overseas to fight Britain's wars - being driven off their crofts with such violence that some had their skulls smashed open.
The other side of the coin, though, is the delightful crop of humorous songs, including my favourite, "We Are The Men Who Own Your Glen".
John McGrath has produced other great plays, and both the Scottish and English 7:84 Theatre Companies have often performed with greatness. But this remains the best of their oevre, in my eyes.
