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The Stromnessian -
February 1971
journal of the Stromness Academy
Interview with George Mackay Brown
on the occasion of the BBC
arriving to film three of his stories
for the Play for Today series.
Scene: A house in Mayburn Court, Stromness, overlooking the
harbour. Through the window gulls can be seen wheeling and
diving. The room itself is homely and distinctly Orcadian with and
old Orcadian chair, a rocking chair and a wooden sideboard with Orkney
straw-work on the top. One whole wall is lined with bookcases
crammed full of books. The author himself is seated comfortably in
his rocking chair. We glance at each other nervously, waiting for
someone to break the silence.
the poet in his rocking chair
[from the Stromnessian]
Eventually Anne asked the first
question.
How do you feel about three of your stories being chosen to be
filmed?
Flattered ... very flattered.
Would you have chosen the same three stories, given the choice?
I haven't really thought about it. But yes - I think the choice
was good.
What do you think of the adaptations of the original stories?
Very pleased. John MacGrath, the scriptwriter, has been very
faithful to my writing.
And what about the cast?
Very appropriate. They fit well into my idea of the characters.
How much accurate historical background do you include in your stories?
I don't feel that it is very important. I attach greater
importance to the character and atmosphere of the place.
What Next?
What of the future? Are you going to specialise in drama?
No. At the moment I am writing a novel, set partly in Orkney and
partly in Edinburgh. I'm about three-quarters of the way through
it.
Do you have a set routine for working?
Yes. I try to work every morning. If I didn't have a set
routine I would never get any work done. Sometimes I leave a piece
of work for a time and come back to it.
What is your own favourite short story?
I'm not sure. But I think A Carrier of Stones is among my
favourites.
Boyhood Memories
Were you one of the star pupils in your English class at school?
I don't remember standing out but I enjoyed writing essays. I was in no
way top of the class.
Did you ever contribute to the school magazine?
There wasn't an official one at that time. I remember when I was
in the Primary writing a regular magazine in longhand along with five
other boys. We made up stories and poems and crosswords.
When did you first start writing seriously?
I started after I left school, but my first work, a book of poems called
The Storm wasn't published till 1954. Here it is.
He reaches across to an overflowing bookcase, picks out a very slim
volume, and hands it to us. 'Let no voice idly whisper here
...' The poem Rackwick which was used in a Stromnessian
feature three years ago. Idle whispers?
We have run out of ammunition - and the author, serene in his rocking
chair, seems unlikely to volunteer information of his own accord.
We take our leave.
Editors:
Liz Marwick, Anne Robertson and Margaret Skinner
The novel GMB was working on was
Greenvoe
A Carrier of Stones is published in the collection A Time to
Keep.
The three stories which were filmed were A
Time to Keep, The Whaler's Return and Celia, all from the
collection A Time to Keep.
A Time to Keep was filmed in Rackwick. Jack Rendall was the
only authentic Rackwick man in the film.
The Tinker's Wedding scene in The Whaler's Return was filmed in a
quarry in Tankerness.
The Director was James McTaggart.
Cameraman Brian Tufano.
The three stories
were broadcast 13 May 1971. Although they were filmed in colour,
Orkney didn't yet have colour TV. It was a few more years before
Orkney saw them in colour. |
