The original play is based on the story of Walter Kress, holocaust refugee and adopted Aberdonian.
Jock Tamson’s Bairn is a new script by Thomas Bywater. His previous stage play, Inferno, reopened the Tivoli Theatre in October 2013.
The year is 1946 and, in Footdee, Walter Kress is reunited with his parents. After six years in Aberdeen as an evacuee, Walter has adopted his new home wholeheartedly.
Walter would appear to be your typical, sea-loving boy from north-east Scotland. Except he is not. The Kresses are Jewish Austrian refugees. Having spent the duration of the war interned in labour camps, they are deeply distrustful of this new country.
So it comes as some surprise when – on meeting Walter – they are greeted by the thick Scots accent of a boy who wants nothing more than to work on boats.
A crisis ensues: his parents are suspicious of his new nationality, but to the locals he is suddenly not Scottish enough.
Walter finds some escape with friends and their hobby boat, but is he the boy they thought he was?
The play will run in Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre until Saturday. See www.aberdeenperformingarts.com or phone 01224 641122 for tickets.
