Think of the carnival atmosphere of the Day of the Dead transferred  to the streets of Glasgow.

At half six in the morning Charlie, who's homeless, turns up at his wife's door to borrow some dough. When his wife is reluctant to part with any of her small amount of cash, he pitches her the story that his mother is dying and he needs the money to get to the hospital - a story which has him in tears. Later, on this metaphysical day, he finds out his mother really is dying. Instead of going to see her he spends the day losing himself among strangers.

 

 

Meanwhile it's Ann's wedding day. She's haunted by the double-suicide of her sons and can't decide which of the two men who love her she will choose. Her past is a Pandora's Box of horror and loss and today is the day it gets opened. Ten weird and wonderful characters - including Charlie - get caught up in the ensuing pandemonium. All day they seem compelled to invoke worlds beyond this one - until finally, before dusk, they cross to the other side.

The result is a play that transcends lunacy.

First performed at the Traverse Theatre on the 8th August 1996. It was directed by Ian Brown and designed by Frank Gerssen. Ian Brown and the show won a Scotland on Sunday Critics' Award. Chris Hannan was nominated for the Lloyd's Bank Playwright of the Year. The cast was Mabel Aitken (Margaret Mary), Frank Gallagher (Prophet John), Molly Innes (Mandy), Tom McGovern (Billy 1), Stuart McQuarrie (Charlie), Anne Myatt (Nanette), Alison Peebles (Ann), John Ramage (Stuart the minister), John Stahl (Billy 2) and Finlay Welsh (Max)

Shining Souls - Author Comment