LOVE,
LIFE AND LOSS IN LETTERS
FROM
WORLD WAR I
FRINGE
EVENT BASED ON ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM ARCHIVE HIGHLIGHTS THE PERSONAL COST OF
PAST CONFLICT
One of the many historic highlights
of Edinburgh Castle is The Scottish National War Memorial - an impressive
building which was erected to commemorate those who died in conflict in the
1914-18 Great War.
And the enormous sacrifice made by
families throughout the country during World War I is highlighted at the castle
next week when interpreters from The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds visit to
share the personal letters of one soldier, Jack Adam, his wife, Gert, and their
three young children.
In the Great Hall, on Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11.30am to 12.30pm, visitors will be able to hear
extracts from the Adam family's poignant correspondence, listen to a talk
by the interpreters about the collection's significance, and see a
display of their letters, photographs and other memorabilia.
The story of the Doncaster
family's wartime experiences is told in a play, Only Water Between, which is being
performed during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by actors from the Royal
Armouries Museum from 9th to 15th August at C SoCo on
Chambers Street. The play's title recalls how one of Jack's many letters to
his wife begins: ‘To Darling Gert, There's only water between
us...'.
Sadly, in August 1918, Gert's
letters to Jack began to be returned unopened and the remainder show her
endeavours to find out what happened to her lost soulmate. The play
dramatically combines the couple's letters with the memoirs of Hiram
Maxim, the inventor of the machine gun - the likely cause of Jack's
death.
First commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum in 2006
after the original letters came into its care, the play was written by the
museum's then Writer in Residence Peter Spafford and is directed by Olwen
May. This will be the first time actors from the Royal Armouries have performed
outside of the Yorkshire and London regions.
Historic Scotland Interpretation Manager Sheena Garden said:
"We're very much looking forward to welcoming the interpreters from
the Royal Armouries Museum to Edinburgh Castle. The story told by their
fascinating collection of Great War correspondence is one which really hits
home the huge personal cost of war paid by ordinary families - and which very
sadly remains as relevant today as it is was when the letters were
written."
§ T The
original wartime letters of the Adam family have been in the care of The Royal
Armouries Museum since 2006. For further information on the Royal Armouries Museum
§
The
Edinburgh Castle events on Monday 10th - Wednesday 12th August are included in the cost of admission to the attraction. http://www.edinburghguide.com/venue/edinburghcastle
§
Tickets
for the C SoCo performances of Only Water
Between can be purchased by calling 0845 260 1234.
§
The
Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle was formally opened on 14
July 1927 by the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII). The exterior of the
Memorial is enriched with a number of sculptures symbolising Courage, Peace,
Justice and Mercy. Above the entrance, a figure rising from a phoenix denotes
the survival of the Spirit.
- Edinburgh Castle is one of 345 outstanding heritage
properties and sites in the care of Historic Scotland. Ranging from
prehistoric dwellings to medieval castles, and from cathedrals to
industrial buildings, these include some of the leading tourism
attractions in the country. Among the most popular are Edinburgh, Stirling
and Urquhart Castles, Skara Brae, and the Border Abbeys. For further
details of all of Historic Scotland's sites visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places
- Historic Scotland's Mission is: to safeguard
Scotland's historic environment and to promote its understanding and
enjoyment.
- Historic Scotland is delighted to be supporting the
2009 Year of Homecoming with a series of initiatives including family
trails, spectacular events and the creation of a Homecoming Pass for
heritage attractions in association with other heritage organisations.
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