Rope and Flame

Information

Dragonfly Theatre Productions, Inspiring Life, Eastgate Theatre and DunsPlayFest

presents
Rope & Flame
By Anita John, Clare Prenton and Vivien Reid

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” Exodus 22:18

(Length: 60 minutes)
Note the Pre-show discussion starts at 17:30 with the Play at 18:00

It was a time when fear and gossip tore the community apart. Three female Borders playwrights were moved by the 2022 unveiling of the Tweed Green Memorial to those who lost their lives and have written a powerful new community play which seeks to honour and remember the 27 townspeople (men, women and a child) condemned as witches.

The 27 ‘good folk’ of Peebles were held in the Tolbooth and brought before the kirk — while also reflecting on the neighbours and ministers who, believing they were protecting the town, became their accusers.

Borders writers Anita John, Clare Prenton and Vivien Reid explore the stigma, shame and the destructive power of labels — themes that still speak to us today. With a pre-show talk from Mary Craig herself, this unique event blends
history, drama and wellbeing.

Local actor Scott Noble leads a community cast of over 35 volunteer actors from Peebles, Innerleithen, Walkerburn, Galshiels, Berwick Upon Tweed, Dumfries and Galloway, West Linton and Stobo.

As part of the Inspiring Life Festival, which celebrates wellbeing, resilience and
community, Rope & Flame offers a chance to reflect on the lasting impact of
stigma and shame, and how lessons from the past can help us build a kinder
future.

Supported by Destination Tweed Community Grants Scheme which is made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We also thankfully acknowledge support from The Strathmartine Trust. Teacher made History/Social Studies Education packs are also available for teachers of P6/7 and S1-3.