| Street of Sorrows takes us back to 1645 and plague-ridden Edinburgh. It tells the tale of the residents of Mary King's Close as the city succumbs to the sickness. First the city is quarantined - no one in or out, and then the street is closed. Although they are fed by the council, the residents will either live or die on their own. Two thirds of Scotland's population was wiped out by the disease which swept Europe, so there was little chance of survival for the people of Mary King's close. Characters in the musical are based on real people who lived in the Close. Street of Sorrows has to be unusual, even by musical standards, because every single character dies! A cleverly written script combines with powerful melodies and inspiring lyrics that will lift the spirit and rend the heart. |
| click on the street-sign to visit the Real Mary King's Close |
| click on the film-reel to visit tartan.tv and watch a video short about Mary King's Close |
| Poster from 2004 **** production |
| Street of Sorrows (concert version with dialogue) St Marks artSpace August 2006 |
| Piano - Margaret Donaldson Keyboard - Alan Gibson Violin - Stewart Webster |
| Street of Sorrows fully staged production Stockbridge Parish Church August 2004 |
| Piano - Dorothy Moncrieff Keyboard - Alan Gibson Violin - Stewart Webster |
| 2004 Fringe average audience 11 Carpe Diem average audience 85! |