Barbara Dickson to help mark Robert the Bruce bicentenary

Play will tell story of discovery of grave and later events

Singer Barbara Dickson is to take part in a Dunfermline premiere to mark the bicentenary of the discovery of the remains of Robert the Bruce.

Celebrations were launched last weekend to commemorate the astounding find amid the ruins of the Old Abbey 200 years ago.

A new play, featuring a cameo appearance by the West End star, recalls that time.

Written by local playwright Diane M Stewart and directed by Catherine Exposito, Bones, Bogles and Coronets takes its inspiration from the “tumultuous time” between the discovery of the grave and the laying of the foundation stone for the new Abbey Church just three weeks later.

Diane described her new work as a “theatrical reconstruction, with much poetic licence”.

“Complete with a variety of songs and musical interludes and based on the historic accounts of the time, the play tries to imagine the banter, gossip and excitement of those days, giving voice to the ordinary workers, women and children who witnessed the historic discovery and the aftermath in Dunfermline,” she said.

The play will also include some “haunting” appearances by a number of royal characters.

The production, to open at the Abbey Church, will feature musical input from Pittencrieff Primary pupils, the Abbey Choir of Dunfermline and musicians from Dunfermline Folk Club.

The play sweeps to its finale with a re-enactment of the 1818 ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone for the new Abbey Church – an event witnessed by an estimated 10,000 people.

As part of its bicentennial outreach to the wider community, the church is staging the play as a historic event, open to all at 7pm on Saturday March 10.

Barbara Dickson will have a cameo role in the play.