THE world premiere of a new play by Frank McGuinness is being performed in Stratford this month, commissioned by the RSC to mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.

Speaking Like Magpies has seen the award-winning Dublin writer delving deeply into the events surrounding the infamous plot of 1605, which is still marked every year with a night of fireworks and Guy-burning.

"Although I teach Jacobean literature, I didn't know anything about the Gunpowder Plot," said McGuinness. "All I knew was that Guy Fawkes wasn't the central figure and that King James was the target."

He set about his research and then tackled the difficulties of writing a play about something which didn't happen.

He has decided to feature the 13 conspirators as masked figures, while concentrating on the two rich, Catholic boys who led the plot by stirring up their colleagues' fanaticism. "Everyone would be able to identify with them - they're spoilt, extravagant playboys who think that they can exonerate themselves from violence through their charm, power and strength," he said.

Guy Fawkes is in just one scene. "He is peripheral to the play and, I believe, to the plot," said McGuinness. "It is only by sheer accident that he is well known rather than Catesby. I was amazed when I found out that he wasn't even burned after the plot was discovered."

The incident passed into folklore with people's horror at what might have been, he said, particularly as the conspiracy was specifically aimed at blowing up the king as well as his children. James was consequently declared divinely appointed, while a public holiday was also popular with everyone.

McGuinness found that there is hardly any mention of the plot in the plays of the time by playwrights afraid of repercussions.

But 400 years later, he has looked to produce a piece of theatre which aims to be 'something inventive that turned conventions on their head'.

Speaking Like Magpies is directed by Rupert Goold, who is making his RSC debut. It opens for previews at The Swan Theatre on September 21 and runs until November 5.

Call the box office for ticket details on 0870 6091110 (www.rsc.org.uk).