| Rumours that the resurrectionists (body-snatchers) have taken to murder have made the already fearful citizens of Edinburgh's Old Town truly terrified. An Innkeeper, Mr Cairns strives to maintain a cheery atmosphere despite the fact that "Death Walks the Streets". His wife advises Jean, a serving girl, that even in such hard times love can come along; perhaps Callum, a medical student to whom she is attracted, will be the one if she can just "Hold On to the Dream". In the street outside William Burke, a ressurectionist, argues with Dr Knox; he wants to disentangle himself from their 'arrangement' but Knox has powerful friends and enough influence to frighten Burke in to continuing. In the Inn next evening, the townspeople lament the "Blood on the Stones". Daft Jamie, a simpleton, amuses the customers with stories of what he's seen in the New Town. The local minister enters and berates the customers for drinking spirits. Their angry response, "Where is God?", shows that feelings are running high - these are poor, harworking, and very frightened people. After asking the minister to leave, Mr Cairns persuades one of his customers to sing a song to help them forget the outside world: "When I'm Walking Along"". After the customers, slightly cheered, have left Callum and Jean spend time together: both have been hurt previously, and are reluctant to rush in:"Tell Me Please". Burke, who appears worse for drink, asks Daft Jamie to help him home. On the way Jamie tells him he overheard Burke's exchange with Dr Knox last night. Afraid that his secret is about to be discovered, Burke kills Jamie: "All Your Troubles". |
| Blood on the Stones |
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| Despite being a homeless simpleton, Daft Jamie's popularity means that many locals attend his funeral: all sing the Gaelic lament "Caidil Thu". Burke, guilt-ridden, sings "Yesterday" realising that he has made a bad situation worse. He argues again with Knox. Knox once more has the upper hand, and this time sets one of his other henchmen, William Hare, to watch Burke. he students appear in the Inn next day and begin drinking hard: "Heather Ale". The body revealed for anatomy instruction that day was Daft Jamie's. Jean turns on Burke, claiming that since Jamie left with Burke before his death, Burke is responsible. Burke denies that it is his fault and leaves. The townspeaople leave the inn in groups, afraid to be in the streets. Jean and Callum, in the first days of love, decide to enjoy what they have while they can: "If I Die Tomorrow". They part in thes treet where Burke and Hare are lying in wait for Jean. Turmoil breaks out at the Lecture Threatre next day when the body revealed is Jean's. Knox's consternation is further confounded when he learns that the authorities are investigating several suspicious deaths. Will all his influence be enough to keep him from hanging? The citizens gather in the street: Knox has fled to England; William Hare has turned King's Evidence and will not be prosecuted; Burke is to hang. "Where's the Justice?" At his hanging, although not denying his own guilt, Burke lays the true blame on Dr Robert Knox. The people of Edinburgh, singing "Hang Him High" would rather watch the death of Burke than pursue such a powerful man against whom it would be difficult to prove anything. |
| Peter, as Burke, carries the corpse of Daft Jamie. "All Your Troubles" |
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| Fringe 2003 **** Edinburgh Evening News |
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