Bringing Back the Bluestones


Bringing Back the Bluestones is a stage play by Derek Webb about a pressure group from Pembrokeshire campaigning to have the Stonehenge bluestones returned to Wales. It followed the fortunes of Roy Brown as he sets up the group, Carreg Las, and campaigns for the return of the stones to the Preseli Hills.

History

The play began as a short radio play by Derek Webb, but was developed into a stage play in 2002. The original production caused a sensation in Wales when the Western Mail carried an article reporting the premise the play was based on as true. It was alleged that Carreg Las had argued that since Greece wanted the Elgin Marbles back, Wales should be able to lay claim to the Bluestones. The Western Mail ran a front-page article, a leader column comment, and devoted a full colour half page to the story. Eminent historians and politicians were consulted. 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 in Wiltshire. However, it turned out that the creation of Carreg Las was a spoof designed to generate publicity for the play.

Other developments

In 2004, a few years after the first production, British Archaeology carried the following story:
The story 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 Theatre, 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. The main character in the play, Roy Brown, has subsequently been developed in a further comedy entitled Roy Brown: Untitled in which Roy sees modern art as a way of making quick money and turns out a number of "artworks" in quick succession. The play was premiered in 2010 at Swansea's Grand Theatre. Webb is the author of several other plays which have been premiered at the theatre. His most recent play was commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first flight from the UK to Ireland by Denys Corbett Wilson in April 1912.