BY MARTIN TRAVERS
WITH DEAF PERFORMER TEEGAN EWING
BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE BY YVONNE STRAIN & KAREN FORBES
Virginia, May 1864. As the fires of the Civil War rage, Caledonia Blacklock scrambles into the shade of a broken-down cart and writes the story of her short life.
Deaf since birth and forbidden from learning sign language, her brutal and secretive Scottish mother is dragging Caledonia across the state to undergo a quack cure. Running away only put her in chains. So when an exhausted young soldier with a revolver in his waistband steps out of the smoke, Caledonia sees her chance to escape.
But Daniel Lean has an enquiring mind, and secrets of his own. What he uncovers leads back to crimes of the past, betrayal and death, with more sinister consequences than Caledonia could possibly imagine.
Performed in Scots and English, signed in BSL and fully costumed, join us for a sharing of our work in progress this January. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance - click below to reserve your seat or ring 01899 220600.
Saturday 24th January -
4pm, Greyfriars Church, Lanark
After The Wilderness
BY MARTIN TRAVERS
WITH DEAF PERFORMER TEEGAN EWING
BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE BY YVONNE STRAIN & KAREN FORBES
Virginia, May 1864. As the fires of the Civil War rage, Caledonia Blacklock scrambles into the shade of a broken-down cart and writes the story of her short life.
Deaf since birth and forbidden from learning sign language, her brutal and secretive Scottish mother is dragging Caledonia across the state to undergo a quack cure. Running away only put her in chains. So when an exhausted young soldier with a revolver in his waistband steps out of the smoke, Caledonia sees her chance to escape.
But Daniel Lean has an enquiring mind, and secrets of his own. What he uncovers leads back to crimes of the past, betrayal and death, with more sinister consequences than Caledonia could possibly imagine.
Performed in Scots and English, signed in BSL and fully costumed, join us for a sharing of our work in progress this January. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance - click below to reserve your seat or ring 01899 220600.
Saturday 24th January - 4pm, Greyfriars Church, Lanark
After The Wilderness
BY MARTIN TRAVERS
WITH DEAF PERFORMER TEEGAN EWING
BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE BY YVONNE STRAIN & KAREN FORBES
Virginia, May 1864. As the fires of the Civil War rage, Caledonia Blacklock scrambles into the shade of a broken-down cart and writes the story of her short life.
Deaf since birth and forbidden from learning sign language, her brutal and secretive Scottish mother is dragging Caledonia across the state to undergo a quack cure. Running away only put her in chains. So when an exhausted young soldier with a revolver in his waistband steps out of the smoke, Caledonia sees her chance to escape.
But Daniel Lean has an enquiring mind, and secrets of his own. What he uncovers leads back to crimes of the past, betrayal and death, with more sinister consequences than Caledonia could possibly imagine.
Performed in Scots and English, signed in BSL and fully costumed, join us for a sharing of our work in progress this January. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance - click below to reserve your seat or ring 01899 220600.
Saturday 24th January - 4pm, Greyfriars Church, Lanark
"Gothic, wonderful, exciting. An edge of your seat story. And as always, superb acting. "
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Loved the Scots history, culture and language intertwined. An emotional rollercoaster. "
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Thought provoking. Actors and BSL interpretation excellent. Facial expressions were captivating."
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Gothic, wonderful, exciting. An edge of your seat story. And as always, superb acting. "
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Loved the Scots history, culture and language intertwined. An emotional rollercoaster. "
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Thought provoking. Actors and BSL interpretation excellent. Facial expressions were captivating."
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
Teegan Ewing, Susan Coyle, Benjamin Keachie, Helen McAlpine, Lucy Doig, Karen Forbes and Yvonne Strain.
"Wonderful that such a story has come to a church hall in Lanark. Thoroughly enjoyable."
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Very inclusive and enjoyed the signing. Like that it's for both Deaf and hearing people."
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Mesmerising. Makes me want to research the period. Left me thinking what happens next?"
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Wonderful that such a story has come to a church hall in Lanark. Thoroughly enjoyable."
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Very inclusive and enjoyed the signing. Like that it's for both Deaf and hearing people."
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
"Mesmerising. Makes me want to research the period. Left me thinking what happens next?"
AFTER THE WILDERNESS
After The Wilderness was a rehearsed reading of our play set during the American Civil War.
It took place at the Greyfriars Kirk in Lanark in January 2026, and was performed in English and Scots, with an integrated interpretion in BSL. 200 people came to see it, including 30 BSL users.
After The Wilderness was part of Unlocking Scots, Braw Clan's development programme funded by the National Lottery.
We tell spell-binding stories,
in your village hall.
You know how almost no plays in Scots are put on in Scottish theatres?
Well, what Braw Clan does is make new theatre in Scots, inspired by the people of Clydesdale, and we tour it to rural communities in the south of Scotland. We bring world-class performers and powerful local stories to your village hall so you can enjoy them with your family and neighbours.
In fact, someone who came to a Braw Clan performance said “After watching the play, I feel re-energised about my village and sharing our stories."
After The Wilderness was a rehearsed reading of our play set during the American Civil War.
It took place at the Greyfriars Kirk in Lanark in January 2026, and was performed in English and Scots, with an integrated interpretion in BSL. 200 people came to see it, including 30 BSL users.
After The Wilderness was part of Unlocking Scots, Braw Clan's development programme funded by the National Lottery.
We tell spell-binding stories,
in your village hall.
You know how almost no plays in Scots are put on in Scottish theatres?
Well, what Braw Clan does is make new theatre in Scots, inspired by the people of Clydesdale, and we tour it to rural communities in the south of Scotland. We bring world-class performers and powerful local stories to your village hall so you can enjoy them with your family and neighbours.
In fact, someone who came to a Braw Clan performance said “After watching the play, I feel re-energised about my village and sharing our stories."
Cast & Company
Caledonia Blacklock
Narrator
Stage Manager
Playwright, Creative Producer
Daniel Lean
BSL Interpreter
Director
Creative Director
Lydia-Louise "El-El" Lafayette
Photographer
Production Manager
Chrissie "Moth" Blacklock
Costume Designer
BSL Interpreter
More from Unlocking Scots
More from Unlocking Scots
More from Unlocking Scots
