As part of ‘Reiver – Voices From The Borders’ members of the general public were invited to submit audioplay scripts for production. The guidelines were simple: each audioplay had to be a maximum of 30 minutes long, use a maximum of 3 actors and be set during the era of the Reivers. Scripts could be submitted solely by writers from Northumberland or Durham County.
Three were selected for immediate production and were released in 2024: MALEFICIUM by Louise Dearden, END GAME by Chris Neville-Smith and SERO SED SERIO by William Sutherland.
In 2025 three more were selected, produced and then released in 2026: BLOOD FEEDS BLOOD by Lizzie Lovejoy, GOD, KING AND COUNTRY by Joseph Casling and DEVIL’S CHILD by Tilottama Chowdhury.
All six were directed by Jake Murray and edited by Paul G Clark. They were recorded at Hatfield College Chapel, Durham, the Northern School Of Art, Hartlepool and Niltoni Studios, Newacastle and made possible by the generous support of the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Northumberland County Council and Durham University.
Six new audio dramas by six North East writers set in the era of the Border Reivers.
A Scots Reiver Lady is seized by an English Reiver Lord she is married and bears him children. Years later, as her youngest son is wounded on a raid she will stop at nothing to save him, even to the extent of risking her own life.
When Scots Reivers attack a Northumberland village its people take refuge in a fortified Peel Tower. As the Reivers rampage outside the surviving villagers begin to fear that one of their children has been possessed by the Devil.
Wily, ruthless Reiver Lord John Crozier has been captured by King James’ men. As he awaits his fate he tries one last gambit.
Mary Gibbon is married to notorious Reiver Lord William Armstrong, uniting their two families. Unable to bear him a child, when Father Carter is sent by King James to break William’s power she becomes the weakest link in his defences.
A tale of witchcraft, intrigue, injustice and deceit as a young woman, Mary Hawley, is accused of conspiring with the Devil.
Elias Kerr, a young Reiver fighter, has switched sides and joined the King’s Army. Then, suddenly, he finds himself on a mission against his own people and is forced to decide on where his loyalty lies.
Four podcasts covering different historical aspects of the the Reiver era and how to write about it.
Northumberland writer and actor Steve Byron discusses the world of the Border Reivers, their historical background and the rich lore that surrounds them.
Northumberland writer and actor Steve Byron discusses approaches to writing.
Romani storyteller and author Richard O’Neill discusses the experience of the Traveller community during the time of the Border Reivers.
Author and history tour guide John Sadler discusses the world of the Border Reivers, their origins and wider historical context.