“I am the temptation... but I am not the sin.” So says the Devil in a vibrant re-telling of a traditional Scottish Travellers' tale. In it an idle young lad by the name of Jack lives alone with his poor old ma and wishes he were rich!
Enter the Devil...
In an hour long performance that blends physical theatre, puppetry and live music it is the Devil himself (with a little help from his associate Mr Stokes) who recounts the tale of how he met Jack at the crossroads of life and offered him his enchanted purse.
A darkly humorous and devilishly thought-provoking show that explores the value of money and the nature of individual responsibility, played out with verve and comic bravado.
This show is suitable for 10 years and above.
JACK AND THE DEVIL'S PURSE COMMENTS:
Brilliant performance. Wonderful live music. There were moments that were absolutely electrifying.
- Dan at Skipton Puppet Festival, Skipton, North Yorkshire.
One of the most original pieces of theatre I've seen. Even though I know the tale I was so wrapped up in the performance it was like I was hearing it for the first time.
- Peter at Plymouth Barbican, Plymouth, Devon.
Not seen anything like it. The blend of story-telling and performance was wonderful. So much energy and humour in it.
- Lydia at Stainsby Folk Festival, Stainsby, Derbyshire.
A wonderful evening, enchanting, funny, compelling and brilliantly performed.
- Jez at St Thomas Library, Exeter, Devon.
THE TALE BEHIND THE TALE:
James' great-grandmother was an Irish Traveller called Ellen Cahill. When she married she settled in Mitchum, London, with a Romany man by the name of Henry Richardson.
James' dad remembered how Henry used to impress him and his siblings by pouring a pint glass, full of gold sovereigns, all over the kitchen table and letting the kids scramble to gather them up.
Whilst wondering where all that 'gypsy gold' went James was drawn to this old tale about wealth and trickery and, of course, the dealings of Devil.
'Jack and the Devil's
Purse' is an old tale, as told by the late master storyteller, Duncan
Williamson. Duncan was a member of the Scottish Travelling Community
and by his own reckoning held over 3000 stories in his head! This
unique cultural tradition of oral storytelling among Scottish
Travellers goes back as long as they themselves have been travelling
the roads and by-ways of Scotland, since before the 12th century.
There are many tales told about young Jack and how he manages to overcome all manner of trials and tribulations, including several in which he must pit his wits against the Devil himself. Such stories served to reinforce the notion of self-reliance and ingenuity as tools to survival among young Travellers.
In
choosing 'Jack and the Devil's Purse' we sought, and gained, the kind
permission of Dr. Linda Williamson to adapt Duncan's story. Linda has
worked with dedication to document and publish Duncan's trove of Scottish
Traveller stories; ensuring their survival and enjoyment by a wider
audience.