Rough Magick

A comedic drama by Marty Ross set in 1605 in the Scottish Highlands, in which the Royal playwright saves King James from assassination and attempts to save a girl from being burnt as a witch.

Fearing further terrorist activity following the gunpowder plot, King James transports his court to the Scottish Highlands, complete with The King's Men, his favoured theatre company.

This includes middle-aged, careworn, neurotic and pox-troubled playwright William Shaxberd - although he prefers 'Shakespeare'.

When the Royal wagons get bogged down on the moors and a seemingly supernatural attempt is made on the life of the paranoid, superstitious James, a local woman, Shona, is accused of witchcraft.

Yet Shaxberd owes Shona a debt and uses all his ingenuity and gift for theatre to help her escape the gallows.