Play by late Clacks veteran performed

David Gray, from Cambus, wrote Archie’s Issues and got to see the first screening of his script before passing away in November 2022.

He wrote the play as part of Creative Veterans Scotland and it was produced in collaboration with pupils from Queen Victoria’s School.

The play details the titular character Archie alongside his friend Andy telling Amy the story of how her father died.

Mark Wallace, radio presenter with Forth Valley Radio, helped create the show and also starred in the production as Andy.

Speaking to the Advertiser, he explained seeing the play performed on stage was a touching tribute to David.

He said: “We first performed it in June last year and we managed to perform it before David passed away.

“He had unfortunately passed away on November 11 so we were glad he got to see his story before he died.

“He was thrilled to see the production because he was worried he wouldn’t see it when he was diagnosed as ill but he got to see the first screening.

“We added the children in for the second screening and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We had good audiences, it was interactive and the feedback from everybody was pretty good.”

The play incorporated performances from the children at Queen Victoria’s School, where the show was held.

Mark went on to explain that the school had been impressed with the performance and as a result was looking into starting a drama department of their own.

After the success of Archie’s Issues on the stage, Mark hopes to be able to adapt David’s play further and produce it as a show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024.

David’s story was adapted to stage by Sean McGinlay and sponsored by the Forth Valley branch of SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

David was well-known in the community and in 2015, led 200 people to the top of Dumyat for the official opening of a replacement memorial to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.