Robert Louis Stevenson
Dramatizations of Stevenson's
Life
Bownman, James. The Vandegrifter.
"A monologue about Fanny, performed by Gill Bowman, which, through
telling her story, creates a true word picture of RLS."
Cairney, John. The Reluctant Advocate.
"A monologue crafted from Stevenson's own writings, also performed
by Cairney, which conveys much of the essence of Stevenson in dramatic
form." John Cairney has also published: The theatrical R.L.S.: an evaluation
of the theatrical aspects of Robert Louis Stevenson (1993).
Campbell, Donald. Blackfriar's Wynd.
"Deals with RLS's roistering 'velvet-coat' days as a young man. Very
much an Edinburgh play, written by one of Scotland's finest playwrights."
David, Michael (1999). Ultimate Islands.
"A play for three actors about RLS (played by Michael David) &
Fanny, intended to rescue her from the misogynistic slurs of biographers
& to present a truthful, credible portrait of RLS & their relationship."
The third main character is Sidney Colvin. 'A gem of a play....beautifully
written, sensitive & intelligent. Try to see this, even if you see
nothing else on the Fringe' (The Scotsman, 23/8/99). To be revived for
Ed Fest 2000.
Decker, Keith (2000). Velvet Coat: The Ragged Luck of Robert Louis
Stevenson.
One-man-show, performed in Monterey 26 Aug. 2000 (but based on earlier
performances and still presented as a work-in-progress): deals with RLS's
stay in Monterey and the events leading up to it.
Dixon, Lorna & Mike Duffy. Quicksilver!
"An impression of Robert Louis Stevenson. Two Scottish actors explore
his life and imagination in a dream-like treasure hunt for the mercurial
RLS."
Hines, Leonard J. & Frank King (1934). Tusitala (The Teller of
Tales). A Play in Four Acts. London: Chatto & Windus.
Knight, Alanna (adapted for the stage by John Cairney) (1984). The
Private Life of Robert Louis Stevenson.
"A play for 2 actors, who principally portray RLS & Fanny, but
also present, among others, Thomas Stevenson (RLS's father) and Cummy (his
childhood nurse). All the dialogue is taken from RLS's writings." Published
by Paisley Wilfion (1984). 1984 is the date of the publication; the original
script was for radio broadcast. Produced at the Edinburgh Festival 1984-6.
Knight, Alanna (with David Jensen) (1988). The Ballad Of Robert Louis
Stevenson. pilot TV by Bon Accord Productions.
Rosen, Louis et al. (2000). A Child's Garden - see stage versions.
Sessions, John (2000). Reconstructing Louis. BBC Radio 4 dramatization
?December 2000. Focussing on the emotional side of Stevenson's life (the
relationship with his father and with Fanny etc.)
Thompson, John Cargill (1994). The Laird of Samoa.
"A perennially popular full-length monologue, performed frequently
by Jack Shedden. The construction is similar to the above, with RLS becoming,
in memory, his own young self, his father, Cummy etc. Thompson uses none
of RLS's own words & presents an emphatically SCOTCH Stevenson. Probably
to be revived for Ed Fest 2000." Published in Port and Lemon: the mystery
behind Sherlock Holmes: a play ; The Laird of Samoa: a play. Edinburgh:
Diehard (1994).
Wilkie, Neil (book & lyrics); Neil Wilkie & David Stoll (music)
(1994). Teller of Tales.
A musical of Stevenson's life 1873-1894, first performed at King's
Theatre, Edinburgh 12.7.1994.