** Historic Local Murder Trial Brought to Life on the Big Screen ** On a dour April morning in 1862, a young woman called Mary Timney was dragged to the gallows to suffer the last sentence of the law. Mary, from the Glenkens area, was found guilty of murdering a neighbour, Ann Hannah, following an argument. After a gut-wrenching build up and high drama on the day itself, Mary was hanged in front of a crowd of thousands at 8.23 at the old Buccleuch Street Prison in Dumfries. These events would immortalise her as the last woman to be publicly executed in Scotland. Local writer Tom Pow was inspired by Mary’s story and in 1989, BBC Scotland commissioned him to create a radio play to celebrate the station’s 10th anniversary. His play, The Execution of Mary Timney “gives an uncompromising portrait of how harsh and isolated life in a rural community could be, while also depicting attitudes to capital punishment at the time.” An adaptation of the play, directed by Julie Smith, became part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival. In June, a screening of the play, filmed at the time by Brian Sherman, was held at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre to mark the 25th anniversary of the production and also the 150th anniversary of Mary’s execution. Featuring a strong ensemble cast of local actors and with a heart-rending performance by Julie Smith as Timney, it was viewed by a sell-out audience at this year’s Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival. Now director Julie Smiths powerfully moving adaptation will be re-screened tomorrow [Friday September, 5] This time, it will feature a guided crime and punishment-themed walk around the site of the old prison presented by local paranormal team, Mostly Ghostly Investigations. Kathleen Cronie, founding member of the group, will introduce the film with a short talk on Mary Timney and her interest in the case. Kathleen says: “Mary’s story and the events which led to her execution have fascinated our group since 2010 when we uncovered it during research. We have explored the case in depth, highlighting this emotive historic event to over 1,000 people on our ghost walk. To see Mary’s story being brought to life on the big screen struck a powerful chord and I would highly recommend it: her story should never be forgotten. After tomorrow nights screening of the film, Mostly Ghostly will guide guests to the site of Mary’s execution where they will hear a chilling account of her death, along with a host of new material concerning the old prison and a gruesome discovery in the late 1800s. This story will be entwined with a lively insight into the history of crime and punishment in Dumfries and a shocking murder which led to the execution of Robert Smith, last man to be publicly executed in Scotland. “Although Mary Timney’s actions resulted in a woman’s horrible death, a great deal of sympathy was both felt and displayed for her and the desperate situation in which she found herself, says Kathleen. Mary was inconsolable and knowing she and her four children would be parted in this way must have been unbearable. I don’t think any of us can truly imagine being faced with thousands of people awaiting our deaths, the formalities prior to the act, meeting your own executioner and catching the first glimpse of the dreaded gallows…” The Execution of Mary Timney at Robert Burns Centre: rbcft.co.uk / - 01387 264808 Friday, September 5, starting at 7.15pm with a short talk by Kathleen Cronie followed by the 90 minute film and a guided walk (suitable for all abilities) lasting approximately 45 minutes. Tickets from Robert Burns Film Theatre, Dumfries (£10/£8) Mostly Ghostly Contact Info – [email protected] – mostlyghostly.org – https://twitter/MostlyGhostly_ - Tel: 07912 145865
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:44:25 +0000
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