Oh Dear Me
a play by Matthew Knights
"Oh, dear me, the warld's ill-divided,
Them that work the hardest are aye wi' least provided."
- Mary Brooksbank, Oh Dear Me (The Jute Mill Song)
Knights Theatre are developing a play exploring the life of Mary Brooksbank (1897-1978): poet, jute mill worker, folk singer, social activist and Dundee legend!
We will be running a couple of events in spring 2026 you might like to join us for
Thursday 23 April 2026
Mary Brooksbank Creative Writing Workshop
Wighton Centre, Dundee Central Library
Friday 1 May 2026
Oh Dear Me by Matthew Knights
Work-in-progress play reading
directed by Kirstin McLean
Verdant Works Museum, Weavers Room
1900-2100
Come along and support the development of the play
BOOK HERE
These events are part of Speak Oot, Dundee's festival of Trade Unionism taking place from 20 April - 3 May 2026
For any queries about the events email [email protected]
Our work on the play over 2026 is supported by Creative Scotland, Dundee Heritage Trust and Leisure & Culture Dundee.
Watch this space and join our mailing list to stay up to date
Creative Team
Oh Dear Me (Development)
Beth Marshall - Mary
Having started as an Apprentice with the Dundee Rep Ensemble, Beth has worked in Theatre, TV, Film & Radio for over 25 years. Most recently in Small Acts of Love with The Citizens Theatre; as Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman with Raw Material/Trafalgar Theatre Productions; and as Margaret Thatcher in Maggie and Me for The National Theatre of Scotland. TV & Film credits include Borges and Me with Big Beach, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 for Netflix/BBC, Shetland, Karen Pirie, One of Us and Still Game also with the BBC, and In Plain Sight with ITV. Radio includes For the Love of Leo and The Stanley Baxter Playhouse with BBC Radio 4.
Ava Hickey – Winnie
Ava is a recent graduate from the BA Acting course at The Royal Conservatoire Scotland. Her credits include: A Christmas Carol (Platform Theatre, Glasgow), The Kelton Hill Fair (WonderFools), The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (BBC/Neftlix), Big Wheel (Showmen’s Theatre), Aladdin, Oh Yes We Are! (Perth Theatre) and Tiger Is Out (National Theatre of Scotland). She is also a co-founder of The Showmen’s Theatre Company.
Kirstin McLean - Director
Kirstin’s work spans directing, acting and drama facilitation. Her passion is collaborating with playwrights to bring new work from script to stage. Kirstin’s previous directing includes Do Not Press this Button and Opening Time (A Play, A Pie and A Pint), What the F**kirk? and When Billy Met Alasdair (by Alan Bissett) and Sno Snow (SYT). As a facilitator she’s worked with many companies across Scotland, including Scottish Opera, NTS, RCS, Tron, Mull Theatre and others. Acting work includes Taggart, River City, Still Game, and Bob Servant Independent and many roles as a series regular on BBC’s Limmy’s Show.
Matthew Knights - Writer
Matthew is a playwright and producer based in Arbroath, Angus. His writing for theatre includes Jennie Lee: Tomorrow is a New Day (Knights Theatre/OnFife), NEWSBOY (Tron Theatre, Festival of Politics), Fortress Europe (Tron 100 Festival, Tron Theatre) and The Ballad of Ewan MacColl (rehearsed reading, Tron Theatre, Dundee Rep). He is a graduate of the MSc Playwriting at The University of Edinburgh. He is Artistic Director / Executive Producer of Knights Theatre. Matthew is also a creative writing tutor and has delivered social history themed workshops in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, Angus Alive, Leisure & Culture Dundee, Fife Council, East Lothian Council and others.
Oh Dear Me (Development)
Beth Marshall - Mary
Having started as an Apprentice with the Dundee Rep Ensemble, Beth has worked in Theatre, TV, Film & Radio for over 25 years. Most recently in Small Acts of Love with The Citizens Theatre; as Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman with Raw Material/Trafalgar Theatre Productions; and as Margaret Thatcher in Maggie and Me for The National Theatre of Scotland. TV & Film credits include Borges and Me with Big Beach, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 for Netflix/BBC, Shetland, Karen Pirie, One of Us and Still Game also with the BBC, and In Plain Sight with ITV. Radio includes For the Love of Leo and The Stanley Baxter Playhouse with BBC Radio 4.
Ava Hickey – Winnie
Ava is a recent graduate from the BA Acting course at The Royal Conservatoire Scotland. Her credits include: A Christmas Carol (Platform Theatre, Glasgow), The Kelton Hill Fair (WonderFools), The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (BBC/Neftlix), Big Wheel (Showmen’s Theatre), Aladdin, Oh Yes We Are! (Perth Theatre) and Tiger Is Out (National Theatre of Scotland). She is also a co-founder of The Showmen’s Theatre Company.
Kirstin McLean - Director
Kirstin’s work spans directing, acting and drama facilitation. Her passion is collaborating with playwrights to bring new work from script to stage. Kirstin’s previous directing includes Do Not Press this Button and Opening Time (A Play, A Pie and A Pint), What the F**kirk? and When Billy Met Alasdair (by Alan Bissett) and Sno Snow (SYT). As a facilitator she’s worked with many companies across Scotland, including Scottish Opera, NTS, RCS, Tron, Mull Theatre and others. Acting work includes Taggart, River City, Still Game, and Bob Servant Independent and many roles as a series regular on BBC’s Limmy’s Show.
Matthew Knights - Writer
Matthew is a playwright and producer based in Arbroath, Angus. His writing for theatre includes Jennie Lee: Tomorrow is a New Day (Knights Theatre/OnFife), NEWSBOY (Tron Theatre, Festival of Politics), Fortress Europe (Tron 100 Festival, Tron Theatre) and The Ballad of Ewan MacColl (rehearsed reading, Tron Theatre, Dundee Rep). He is a graduate of the MSc Playwriting at The University of Edinburgh. He is Artistic Director / Executive Producer of Knights Theatre. Matthew is also a creative writing tutor and has delivered social history themed workshops in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, Angus Alive, Leisure & Culture Dundee, Fife Council, East Lothian Council and others.
Mary Brooksbank's words, inscribed on the wall of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh
Previous events
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September 2023
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Oh Dear Me: The Inspirational Mary Brooksbank!
Knights Theatre presented a poetic and theatrical exploration of some of the themes of Mary’s life by local writers and performers. Supported by Abertay Historical Society and crowdfunded donations. Part of Dundee Fringe.
****
September 2023
****
Oh Dear Me: The Inspirational Mary Brooksbank!
Knights Theatre presented a poetic and theatrical exploration of some of the themes of Mary’s life by local writers and performers. Supported by Abertay Historical Society and crowdfunded donations. Part of Dundee Fringe.
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