Prompted by the new C4
series of ‘The Games’ involving Chesney Hawkes, I looked out
our old Tape of ‘MacGregor’s Trap’. 
‘MacGregor’s Trap’ was
a musical Geoff and I saw during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
1995. Although it was
a sell out, Geoff and I managed to get to see the show twice and
also saw the cabaret performance they put on on Fringe Sunday 20th
August 1995.
The link between Chesney and
the musical is that as it was based on Robert Louis Stevenson's
Kidnapped and Chesney played David Balfour the hero and central
character.
Written by Brian Spence, who
also played Chesneys father Robbie Balfour, the musical is still in
development and has now become ‘Jeanie Skye’. The original
show had a very small cast, minimal props, several excellent Ideas
and some superb music. We
still listen to the tape fairly frequently but wish it was on CD.
Louise Kenny was Jean,
Davie’s mother who was deserted by Robbie when the baby was
born. She fell upon hard times and in trying to protect and care
for her child met Mary, a lady of questionable morals and lowered
her standards as needs must.
Mary played by Debbie McKenna (now Mrs Spence) introduced
Davie to the scheming MacGregor.
Colin Chisholm was suitably scary and menacing as MacGregor,
his trap to split Davie from his mother then take his place in her
affections. During Davie’s adventures he meets and looses his
father and also meets the love of his life Catriona played by
Joanne Ramsay. Along
with a small dance troupe and one or two others the show gained
almost cult status.
The songs range from
romantic ballads to rousing sea shanties, from prayers to
accusations.
Both Geoff and I look
forward to seeing and hearing the new show as soon as possible.
Please Brian if you see this
bring it back!
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