
The 3 Estaites
The Millennium Version
Edinburgh University Press
Published on 30. September 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
136 pages
978-0-7486-1746-3 (ISBN)
Description
The 3 Estaites is - by common consent - Scotland's greatest play.First performed in Cupar, Fife in June 1552, it is the earliest Scottish play to have survived. Full of broad humour and pantomime-like farce, it also deals with dangerous topical issues, hitting out at corruption and hypocrisy in the ruling establishment, denouncing the oppression of the poor and calling for social "reformation". A young king is rescued from idle sexual dalliance and false counsels by Divine Correction and they preside over a Parliament summoned to enact just laws, where basic Christian tenets and values are affirmed - but Folly has the last word.In 2000 The 3 Estaites gained a fresh resonance when it celebrated both the Millennium and the rebirth of Scotland's Parliament by returning to Cupar for the first time in nearly four and a half centuries. This contemporary Scots version by the leading poet and playwright Alan Spence retains the structure and spirit of Lindsay's script while giving his language a new lease of life. The play's topical allusions have been updated brilliantly, but Lindsay's generous spirit and enormous sense of fun have been preserved.This is a national drama, expressing a comprehensive perspective of what Scotland is and what it might be - a land of justice, fellow-feeling and laughter.
Reviews / Votes
Alan Spence has shawn us, aince and foraye, at 'Ane Satyre' is still a leivin, dirlin pley at can speik ti modren Scots i thair awn leid an tak tent o thair pressin concairns juist as it did in the 16t centurie. We awe Spence oor aefauld thenks. The magnum opus of Scottish Renaissance drama! Alan Spence's newly updated script simultaneously illuminates Lindsay's groundbreaking achievement in marrying vernacular language with sophisticated verse forms, while at the same time adding yet more weight to the assertion of Scots' expressive dynamism and eloquence as a language for literary drama. This 21st century retelling of Sir David Lindsay's political satire was snappy, funny and downright irreverent! The use of modern Scots made it accessible to all. A compact, performable, modern version! Not only hilarious in itself but matches stroke for stroke the inherent bawdiness of Lindsay's script! A condensed version that loses nothing. Alan Spence has shawn us, aince and foraye, at 'Ane Satyre' is still a leivin, dirlin pley at can speik ti modren Scots i thair awn leid an tak tent o thair pressin concairns juist as it did in the 16t centurie. We awe Spence oor aefauld thenks. The magnum opus of Scottish Renaissance drama! Alan Spence's newly updated script simultaneously illuminates Lindsay's groundbreaking achievement in marrying vernacular language with sophisticated verse forms, while at the same time adding yet more weight to the assertion of Scots' expressive dynamism and eloquence as a language for literary drama. This 21st century retelling of Sir David Lindsay's political satire was snappy, funny and downright irreverent! The use of modern Scots made it accessible to all. A compact, performable, modern version! Not only hilarious in itself but matches stroke for stroke the inherent bawdiness of Lindsay's script! A condensed version that loses nothing.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 217 mm
Width: 139 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
177 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7486-1746-3 (9780748617463)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
08/2019
1st Edition
Edinburgh University Press
€0.00
Available for download
Persons
Alan Spence is one of Scotland's leading poets and playwrights. His publications include Glasgow Zen (2002), Seasons of the Heart (2000), Stone Garden (1997), The Magic Flute (1997) and Its Colours They Are Fine (1996). Angus Calder is an academic writer, historian and literary editor.