Ettrick Forest Press

Peninus Press Presents...

"A Glasgow Tale" by Graham Hardie

"Graham Hardie, a poet by default, brings his pen to the stage in this new timeless tale of love forlorn. He presents a new twist on the shenanigans that are Romeo & Juliet, with Glasgow yet again reaffirming its place as a city of mean repute.

Hardie takes the reader straight to the mindset of his characters, revealing a grittier, most definitely disturbing side of Glasgow's psyche. Never lapsing into parody, Hardie the wordsmith weaves us through a post modernist tryst of the two star crossed lovers, defrosted for twenty-first century consumption, in their quest for happiness eternal. Hardie's delicious delivery is never patronising, and his dexterity ensures his language is never too archaic to become pretentious. Whereas in others' unskilled hands, the narrative would certainly hang heavy and breathe with pregnant pauses.

Some say his text will be read in schools; some say perhaps. You decide. Relax and as you read your way through Hardie's adaptation- listen to Ravel's Bolero as you do so... the movie may be nearer than you realise!"
Les Quinn

With the appearance of what can only be described as Shakespeare meets Tarantino, Hardie opens up a quite startling relationship between "real world" Glasgow and the unseen literary universe. This captivating and enchanting play shines a new light upon modern love and violence with the insight of verses from the past. In these anachronistic scenes we are shown the secret of just how much we really need Romeo and Juliet.

Young lovers James and Morag find themselves caught up in a tragic story of revenge, depressed beneath the shadow of Morag's gangster father 'Mad Tam', and forced to escape the pervasive evil of his criminal nature. Between ghostly apparitions, sprites and prophetic vagrants, the one question remains... will they live or will they die?
Catherine Woodward

Graham Hardie's new play A Glasgow Tale is available to purchase now for only £5.50 including postage and packing by clicking the button below.