The Lass Wi’ the Muckle Mou’

Summary: 1953 BBC live studio production of Alexander Reid’s Scottish comedy The Lass Wi’ the Muckle Mou’.
Theatre play: The Lass Wi’ the Muckle Mou’ by Alexander Reid (1914-1982) [more information]
Play synopsis: 'The ballad of True Thomas tells us that Thomas the Rhymer spent seven years with the Queen of Elfland, but it omits to tell us about the wager he made with the Queen just before he left - that he would write "the finest ballad ever carped in the borders" within seven days of his return to earth. Unfortunately, the Queen makes the condition that the ballad must tell the truth - and puts a spell on Thomas to make sure he abides by the rules. In this delightful comedy Alexander Reid shows how the Murrays and the Scotts do their best to furnish True Thomas with the kind of true story he has in mind: "a ding-dong fight ... a good dollop of sentiment ... a grand climax ..." In a raid on the Murrays’ ramshackle castle, Willie Scott is captured, and the price of his release is marriage to Meg Murray, "the lass wi’ the big mou". Thomas is delighted with the situation but he cannot control it: Willie and Meg have highly individual minds of their own’. (Source: Mary Maxted in the Radio Times, 2 October 1953, p. 26.)
Production history: Premiered by the Citizens’ Theatre Company, Glasgow in 1951.
Date of transmission: Tuesday 6 October 1953
Time: 8.50-10.20pm
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC

Producer

Warren Jenkins

Playwright

Alexander Reid (1914-1982)

Sets / Settings

Barry Learoyd

Cast

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