The Houghmagandie Pack was commissioned as part of the Burns an a’ That Festival 2003 which celebrates the life and work of the poet Robert Burns.

Grid Iron were given free access to the village of Alloway, birthplace of Burns, and created a multi-site, outdoor promenade production taking the audience on a mile-long journey through the life of the poet. We visited the cottage of his birth, the atmospheric old graveyard where his parents are buried, paths and fields around the village and concluded at the famous Brig O’Doon.

The production was site-specific in the truest sense recounting a real-life story and real-life events in exactly the places where they would have occurred making it a quite extraordinary experience.

“tremendously purposeful and vivid writing.. a string of fine, well-focused performances… a technical triumph…this special combination of conventional drama and outdoor setting acquires an almost magical force”.
The Scotsman.

Written and Directed by Justin Young.

Performed by Katrina Bryan, Garry Collins, Katherine Connolly, Jonathan Fegan, Jamie Michie, Stewart Preston, Anthony Strachan and Frances Thorburn.

Set and Lighting designed by Becky Minto.

Lighting designed by George Tarbuck.

Music composed and produced by Philip Pinsky.

Produced by Judith Doherty.

A Grid Iron and Unique Events co-production. Supported by Scottish Arts Council.