Bringing Back the Bluestones
Encyclopedia
Bringing Back the Bluestones is a stage play by Derek Webb about a group from Pembrokeshire
, called CarregLas, campaigning to have the Stonehenge bluestones returned to Wales.
back, Wales should be able to lay claim to the Bluestones. Not only did the Western Mail run a front page article and a leader column comment, but devoted a full half page colour to the story. Eminent historians and politicians were consulted. And a spokesperson for English Heritage
which looks after Stonehenge reportedly 'almost choked when asked about the possibility of dismantling Stonehenge.' The story was subsequently taken up by other newspapers and radio stations throughout Wales and Wiltshire
. But it turned out that the creation of CarregLas was a spoof designed to engineer publicity for a play which followed the fortunes of Roy Brown as he sets up the pressure group and campaigns for the return of Stonehenge
to the Preseli Hills
in Pembrokeshire.
of the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards, wrote to the Daily Telegraph: ‘Since the Stone of Scone
was returned to Scotland a few years since, and it is clearly only a matter of time until the Elgin Marbles are returned to Greece, may I express a request that Stonehenge be returned to Wales?’ Dr Lewis’ appeal, made ‘on behalf of my fellow druids, bards and the rest of my Welsh compatriots’, is not without precedent. Welsh pressure group Carreg Glas made a similar claim on Stonehenge in 2002, which turned out to be a prank to publicise a play called Bringing Back the Bluestones by Derek Webb. Carreg Glas’ mad scheme won real-life supporters, so perhaps Archdruid Lewis’ voice won’t be a lone one." This was also reported by the Milford Mercury and the BBC.
, as part of their Lunchtime Theatre programme. This new 1-act version subsequently transferred to deValence in Tenby and on to Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard where it attracted record audiences.
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
, called CarregLas, campaigning to have the Stonehenge bluestones returned to Wales.
History
The play began as a short radio play by Derek Webb, but was then developed into a stage play in 2002. The original production caused a sensation in Wales when The Western Mail (the national newspaper of Wales) carried an article reporting the premise the play was based on as true The group claimed that since Greece wanted the Elgin MarblesElgin Marbles
The Parthenon Marbles, forming a part of the collection known as the Elgin Marbles , are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures , inscriptions and architectural members that originally were part of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens...
back, Wales should be able to lay claim to the Bluestones. Not only did the Western Mail run a front page article and a leader column comment, but devoted a full half page colour to the story. Eminent historians and politicians were consulted. And a spokesperson for English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
which looks after Stonehenge reportedly 'almost choked when asked about the possibility of dismantling Stonehenge.' The story was subsequently taken up by other newspapers and radio stations throughout Wales and Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. But it turned out that the creation of CarregLas was a spoof designed to engineer publicity for a play which followed the fortunes of Roy Brown as he sets up the pressure group and campaigns for the return of Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
to the Preseli Hills
Preseli Hills
The Preseli Hills or Preseli Mountains are a range of hills in north Pembrokeshire, West Wales...
in Pembrokeshire.
Other developments
A few years after the first production, British Archaeology carried the following piece: "Dr Robyn Lewis, ArchdruidArchdruid
The Archdruid is the title used by the presiding official of the Gorsedd.The Archdruid presides over the most important ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod of Wales including the Crowning of the Bard, The Award of the Prose Medal and Chairing of the Bard. From 1932 only former winners of the...
of the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards, wrote to the Daily Telegraph: ‘Since the Stone of Scone
Stone of Scone
The Stone of Scone , also known as the Stone of Destiny and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone, is an oblong block of red sandstone, used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland and later the monarchs of England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom...
was returned to Scotland a few years since, and it is clearly only a matter of time until the Elgin Marbles are returned to Greece, may I express a request that Stonehenge be returned to Wales?’ Dr Lewis’ appeal, made ‘on behalf of my fellow druids, bards and the rest of my Welsh compatriots’, is not without precedent. Welsh pressure group Carreg Glas made a similar claim on Stonehenge in 2002, which turned out to be a prank to publicise a play called Bringing Back the Bluestones by Derek Webb. Carreg Glas’ mad scheme won real-life supporters, so perhaps Archdruid Lewis’ voice won’t be a lone one." This was also reported by the Milford Mercury and the BBC.
Recent adaptations
The play was rewritten in 2010 for a performance by Fluellen Theatre Company at the Swansea Grand TheatreSwansea Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre is a performing arts venue in the centre of Swansea, Wales. The theatre stages plays, pantomimes and touring theatrical acts visiting Swansea. The Grand Theatre is the base for the UK's only Russian ballet company, the Swansea Ballet Russe....
, as part of their Lunchtime Theatre programme. This new 1-act version subsequently transferred to deValence in Tenby and on to Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard where it attracted record audiences.