This publication is actor John Cairney's life with Robert Burns in theatrical terms. Since 1959, he has been involved with Burns as actor, director and writer. Over the years, Cairney has taken the opportunity to investigate different aspects of Burns as they relate to performance in the theatre. For the first time he has brought all these working playscripts, which have already been tested before a live audience, together in book form. Others interested in the prismatic attraction that is Scotland's Bard can now see how one Scottish actor-writer has dealt with a national icon theatrically. The scripts, written by Cairney, look at Burns' creative work, his everyday life, and his relationships, to build a full picture of the man so important to Scotland's cultural heritage. The plays are followed by an appendix which features a selection of plays written about Burns' life since his death at the age of 37.BACK COVER The overall impression gained in studying Burns' work as a whole is that, given the brevity of his life, it is extraordinary not that he wrote so much, but that so much of it was good. JOHN CAIRNEY Burnscripts is a collection of dramatic scripts by John Cairney interpreting the life and works of Robert Burns.Cairney, as actor, author and scriptwriter, has been connected professionally with Robert Burns for nearly half a century. He has performed as Burns all over the world and consequently knows him better than most. This personal exploration of Burns' life and work in performance helps to build a fuller picture of the poet and is an insightful celebration of one of Scotland's most important cultural icons.