(Photos – with kind permission of the LeCouvey & Martin family archives)
New Show for 2024 !
October 2024 – Dates and venues below
DOROTHÉE PULLINGER
DESIGNER OF THE FIRST CAR FOR WOMEN
Drama with Live Music
Dorothée dreamed of becoming an automobile engineer. In 1914, she applied to join the Institution of Automobile Engineers, but was told “the word person means a man”.
At aged 22, she became Lady Superintendent of Vickers Munitions factory in Barrow-in-Furnace, in charge of 7000 women during World War 1. For this she was awarded the MBE.
In 1920, aided by her father, she designed the ‘Galloway’ car in Kirkcudbright, built by women, for women. Driven out of the automobile industry by rampant sexism, she turned to owning a chain of laundrettes, saying “No man can say that washing is taking away work from men!” She was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame in 2012.
A professional cast will play Dorothée, her father, and a narrator/interviewer, with two musicians on cello, accordion and voice.
The show is written and directed by Dave Dewar
Fri. 11 Oct. Parish Church Hall, Kirkcudbright 7.15pm
Sat. 12 Oct. The Usual Place, Dumfries 7.15pm
NB. The delightful and historic Selkirk Arms Hotel, in Kirkcudbright, is offering a special 10% discount for those attending the play at either Kirkcudbright or Dumfries. This covers a 1 or 2 night stay from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 October, which must be booked directly with the hotel – website link
For further information and direct booking, contact Dave Dewar on 07765 573240 / dave@cultural-connections.co.uk
Supported by Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival
Sept. 2023 – Dates and venues below
CONNIE MEETS ROBERT BURNS
A Comedy Drama with Live Music
Connie, an unemployed lady, visits the local library to keep warm and save on her high energy bills. There, she discovers the poems and songs of Robert Burns. To find out more, she visits the nearby Robert Burns Information Centre. This humorous drama unfolds as Connie tries to make sense, sometimes with difficulty, of the life and works of Scotland’s greatest poet and songwriter! Popular poems and songs of Burns will be performed live.
The professional cast includes, actor Lesley Robertson, narrator/interviewer Dave Dewar, musicians Wendy Weatherby on cello and voice, Sandy Brechin on accordion, keyboards and voice, with Andy Morton former President of Dundonald (Ayrshire) Burns Club on voice.
The show is written and directed by Dave Dewar
Fri. 22 Sept. Ewart Library, Dumfries 7.15pm Tickets £12
Sat. 23 Sept. Ayrshire Food Hub, by Hurlford nr. Kilmarnock 7.15pm
Tickets £15includes teas, coffees and tray bake
Sun. 24 Sept. Dumfries House, by Cumnock 3.00pm
Tickets £20 Teas, coffees and shortbread available at a separate cost, payable to Dumfries House
For further information and direct booking, contact Dave Dewar on 07765 573240 / dave@cultural-connections.co.uk
May 2022 – Dates and venues below
LADY NAIRNE – SCOTLAND’S SECRET SONGSTRESS
Drama with Live Music
Lady Nairne (1766-1845) was one of Scotland’s most prolific songwriters, writing around one hundred songs. Many of these became classics and are still sung today. Examples are ‘Charlie is my darling’, ‘The Rowan tree’ and ‘Will ye no come back again’. Yet, throughout her life she maintained strict anonymity as a songwriter, never receiving credit for her achievements. Some people even believed that her works were unpublished songs of Robert Burns.
Who was this mysterious songstress? All will be revealed by, Dave Dewar as narrator and interviewer, actor and musician Wendy Weatherby as Lady Nairne, performing her songs on cello and voice, and Sandy Brechin on accordion and keyboards.
The show is written and directed by Dave Dewar and is part of the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival.
Thur. 26 May Duncan Rooms, Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries 7.30pm
Tickets £12 Midsteeple 01387-253383
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dgartsfestival/t-kvxvpz
Fri. 27 May Kilmarnock (Private Event) 7.30pm
For further information and direct booking, contact Dave Dewar on 07765 573240 / dave@cultural-connections.co.uk
May and June 2019 – Dates and venues below
ELIZABETH CRICHTON – A WOMAN WITH A DREAM
Drama with Live Music
Elizabeth Crichton dreamed of a mental hospital for Dumfries, to treat patients as human beings in need of help. She found just the man to establish this, Doctor William A.F. Browne.
In 1839 the Crichton Mental Hospital opened, becoming arguably the most advanced in Europe. Patients enjoyed art and music therapy, fresh air and working in the gardens. All this in a beautiful estate. Yet, some of the local people were not happy.
Actors and musicians tell this fascinating tale. Actors are Stephanie Falls, playing Mrs Crichton, and popular Dumfriesshire performer William Williamson is the inimitable Doctor Browne. The musicians are Wendy Weatherby cello, John Sampson trumpet, cornet and baroque recorder, and Stephen Devine piano. The show is written and directed by Dave Dewar, who also plays the role of narrator / interviewer.
Fri. 31 May Duncan Rooms, Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries 7.30pm
Tickets £12 Midsteeple 01387-253383
www.ticketsource.co.uk/dgartsfestival/events
Sun. 2 June Kilmarnock (Private Event) 2pm
For further information and direct booking, contact Dave Dewar on 07765 573240 / dave@cultural-connections.co.uk
Nov and Dec 2018 – Dates and venues below
ELSIE INGLIS – The woman who wouldn’t sit still !
Drama with Live Music
Elsie Inglis was one of Scotland’s most inspiring women. Physician, surgeon, humanitarian, medical pioneer, suffragist, and founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Service during World War I.
Doctor Inglis approached the British War Office in 1914 to offer a unique all-women medical service for the war front. The British War Office rejected this because they were women, famously telling Doctor Inglis “My good lady, go home and sit still.” Thankfully, other Allied nations welcomed them.
1500 women in 14 hospital units served overseas in an all-women medical service, saving many soldiers’ lives, mainly in France, Serbia and Russia.
A cast of 12 performers, including actors and musicians, tell this fascinating story in a year which is both the anniversary of the ending of World War 1, and the granting of the vote to some women.
Sun. 25 Nov. Dumfries House by Cumnock 3pm – £20 + booking fee
Fri. 30 Nov. Glasgow University Memorial Chapel 8pm – £12 + booking fee
Sun. 2 Dec. Augustine United Church 41 George IV Bridge
Edinburgh 7.30pm – £12 + booking fee
For further information and direct booking, contact Dave Dewar on 07765 573240 / dave@cultural-connections.co.uk
May and June 2018 – Dates and venues below
THE DUMFRIESSHIRE MAN WHO BUILT BRITAIN
Drama with Live Music
From humble Eskdale stonemason to famous civil engineer, Thomas Telford designed and constructed the finest roads, bridges and canals since the Romans.
Yet, he was a modest man who shunned the limelight. Telford never forgot his birthplace. “I ever recollect with pride my native parish of Westerkirk, where I was born on the banks of the Esk in the year 1757.”
This fascinating story is told through drama and original music. Popular Dumfriesshire performer William Williamson plays Telford, with Dave Dewar as the interviewer and music by singer-songwriter Ian Walker and cellist Wendy Weatherby.
Wed. 30 May Kilmarnock (Private Event) 7.30pm
Thu. 31 May Buccleuch Centre, Langholm 7.30pm
Tickets £10 01387-381196 info@buccleuchcentre.com
Fri. 1 June The Ewart Library, Dumfries 7.30pm
Tickets £10 Midsteeple 01387-253383
(Photo courtesy of the Institution of Civil Engineers)
June 2017 – Dates and venues below
DUMFRIESSHIRE’S AFRICAN EXPLORER
Drama with Live Music
The fascinating life story of explorer Joseph Thomson told through narration, drama and live music by Ian Walker (singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist), Wendy Weatherby (cello), Dave Dewar (narrator) and Dumfriesshire’s William Williamson, a direct descendant of Thomson, playing the explorer.
Born in Penpont, later lived in Gatelawbridge, buried in Thornhill, Thomson discovered many previously uncharted parts of Africa. His successes were rewarded by many titles and awards including the prestigious Royal Geographical Society’s gold medal.
Thomson successfully avoided confrontation and bloodshed in his dealings with hostile African tribes. This was encapsulated in his motto “He who goes gently goes safely, he who goes safely goes far”.
All performances begin at 7.30pm
Thu. 1 June Penpont Parish Church, Penpont, Dumfriesshire
Fri. 2 June The Ewart Library, Dumfries
Tickets £10 ● Midsteeple 01387-253383
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dgartsfestival/events
May and June 2016 – Dates and venues below
THE BANKER WHO CARED
Drama with Live Music
The fascinating story of the Reverend Henry Duncan of Ruthwell, by Dumfries.
Duncan established the Ruthwell Savings Bank in 1810 for the poor who could not afford the £10 required by the established banks to open an account. At Ruthwell, only 6 pence would open up a 4% interest bearing account. Thus was born the worldwide savings bank movement.
Duncan was also a social reformer, writer, publisher, newspaper owner, philanthropist, geologist and restorer of the famous Ruthwell Cross.
Four actors / musicians play Duncan, his wife, the narrator and other parts, with accompanying live music.
All performances begin at 7.30pm
Thu. 26 May Ruthwell Parish Church, Ruthwell, near Dumfries
Fri. 27 May The Catstrand, New Galloway, Dumfriesshire
Thu. 2 June Innellan Village Hall, Innellan, near Dunoon
Fri. 3 June Loudoun Hall, Ayr
Tickets £10 ● Dave Dewar 077 655 73240
dave@cultural-connections.co.uk
Youtube links
November 2015 – Dates and Venues below
An Audience With
MR and MRS ANDREW CARNEGIE
Drama with Live Music
How did a Scot become the richest man in the world and then give it all away?
From humble beginnings in Dunfermline in 1835, Andrew Carnegie emigrated to America. By aged 35 he was a millionaire, and by 65 the richest man in the world.
Carnegie was a man of contradictions. He advocated workers’ rights but outlawed trade unions. He campaigned for world peace, yet manufactured steel for naval vessels and armaments. However, he gave away his vast fortune for good causes, which included the creation of over 2,500 libraries.
Actors play Andrew Carnegie, his wife Louise and the interviewer, revealing fascinating and often controversial aspects of their lives.
All performances begin at 7.30pm, unless indicated otherwise
Wed. 25 Dunoon Library Thur. 26 Oban Library (7pm)
Fri. 27 Ewart Library, Dumfries Sat. 28 Carnegie Hall Annexe, Dunfermline
Sun. 29 Loudoun Hall, Ayr (2.30pm)
Tickets ● Dave Dewar 077 655 73240
(Photo courtesy of the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum)
An Audience With
PATRICK MILLER and Robert Burns
Drama with Music
Dalswinton House, Dalswinton, by Dumfries Sunday 18 May 2014 3pm
Tickets £15, include access to the gardens and light refreshments.
Advance bookings only.
Two men from the Dumfriesshire area made their mark on Scottish History. One, Patrick Miller, developed a steamship, the other his tenant Robert Burns, composed beautiful poetry and songs. The two met regularly at Miller’s beautiful home, Dalswinton House. For this afternoon, the two meet again and discuss their lives. Actors play Miller, Burns, and an interviewer, with music by harmony group The Sangsters. The drama will take place in the drawing room of Dalswinton House.
Pre-2014 Shows
David Napier.
David Napier (1790-1869), often regarded as the Father of Clyde Shipbuilding, transformed the Clyde with the development of steam driven paddle steamers.
Elizabeth Blackwell.
Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910), the world’s first woman doctor, endured much gender hostility while pursuing a career as a doctor and medical pioneer.
Harry Lauder.
Harry Lauder (1870-1950) was one of Scotland’s greatest entertainers, and in his time became a household name at home and overseas.
Prince Charles Edward Stuart (aka Bonnie Prince Charlie).
Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788) was a Jacobite Prince whose brief period in Scotland has been heavily over-romanticised. We examine the period before the 1745-6 Jacobite rebellion, during it, and its aftermath, including Charles’s long years in exile.
Henry Bell.
Henry Bell (1767-1830) was the first person in Europe to develop a commercial steamship service with his boat ‘The Comet’, despite sceptics such as James Watt ridiculing the idea. Youtube Video cilp from show
Richard Oswald.
Richard Oswald (1705-1784) was one of the first Scottish global entrepreneurs, gaining part of his wealth through the slave trade. On behalf of the British Government, he signed the preliminary 1782 Treaty of Paris, which allowed the American colonists their independence.
The True Story of Doctor David and Mary Livingston.
Doctor Livingstone (1813-1873) became a missionary and explorer in Africa. He was the first white man to discover the Victoria Falls and a fierce campaigner against the slave trade. However, he had a number of personal failings, including a neglect of his wife and family. In this production, both David and his wife Mary tell their story.
Non-Historical Shows
Para Handy.
Two contemporary tales of the crew of the famous puffer the Vital Spark
Fawlty Towers.
A tale of life in the famous hotel, where the local council environmental health department has serious concerns.