The Wars of Patie Crichton

Information

It is the year 1803. Patie Crichton, a poor but honest bicker-maker from Birgham, marries the love of his life and is soon the proud father of twin girls. Married bliss is short-lived however, due to a serious but unspoken misunderstanding. Patie’s life is made unbearable and he longs for his wife, Tibby, to once again be the kind and modest lass he fell in love with.

Pondering on how he might end the misery, he takes inspiration from a ballad which tells the tale of a husband in a similar predicament who threatens to join the army and thus brings about an improvement in the relationship between him and his spouse.

It’s a strategy to which Patie gives some serious consideration.

Cast:
Patie - John Nichol
Davie- Iain Fraser

The Wilson’s Tales Project

“Wilson’s tales of the Borders and of Scotland: Historical, Traditionary and Imaginative”

The Wilsons Tales Project are delighted to announce the commissioning of a new dramatic presentation of one of Wilsons Tales as part of the ongoing sponsorship by the project to present new work at DunsPlayfest. 2026 will be the 6th year of the award.

John Nichol has taken on the challenge to present his take on the original tale “The Hen Pecked man”. The original was set in Birgham, so is very much a Berwickshire-based Tale. The original would probably not be seen as terribly politically correct and it will be interesting to see how modern audiences react to this tale. John has also indicated a wish to weave into the play elements of another local tale “The false Alarm” , so we may get two tales for one!

John has had a long association and interest in Wilsons tales of the Borders. He was originally involved many years ago in the writing and presentation of “Willie Wastle “ by the Rowan Tree Theatre Company, which they took to the Edinburgh festival fringe and later on two occasions to Tweedmouth, at the bicentenary of Wilsons birth in 2005 and at the request of the project in 2016 when he presented an adapted version as a one man show, a tour de force of his acting and presentational skills.

He has supported the project from the outset, being part of the presentation team for our very first life event at Paxton House back in 2013. So it is with delight the project looks forward to seeing another of his adaptations.

John commented “Wilsons Tales are a phenomenal source of inspiration for creatives. It is great to see people are becoming more aware of them again throughout not just the Borders, but the wider world, largely through the efforts of the Wilsons tales project. It is great to be working with them and looking once more to these works. It is also great to see the DunsPlayfest flourishing as it is and becoming a real platform for new material thanks to initiatives like this.”