PRESS RELEASE
The National Theatre of Scotland presents
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart
Supported by Benromach Single Malt Whisky
Created by David Greig (Writer) and Wils Wilson (Director) with Designer Georgia McGuinness ,
Composer Alasdair Macrae and movement by Janice Parker.
The full cast is Annie Grace, Jessica Hardwick, Alasdair Macrae, David McKay and Paul McCole
David Greig and Wils Wilson’s folk theatre fable has proved hugely popular with audiences from
Govan to Rio. The production has been part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s touring repertoire
since 2011 and has travelled extensively across the UK and internationally, spanning four continents,
nine countries and 50 different venues.
In 2016 the production will initially tour the USA from 9 February to 7 May, taking over theatre
stages and non-traditional theatre spaces in Virginia, Richmond, Illinois, Vermont, Winchester and
Arkansas. The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart will then return home, touring to Fife, Perthshire,
Aberdeenshire, Dundee, South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders from 17
May to 11 June 2016.
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart premiered in the Victorian Bar at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow
in 2011, before achieving phenomenal success and critical acclaim at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival
Fringe. In keeping with the site-specific origins of the show, the production has been staged in a
tavern, breweries and village halls and studios with bars built in. In 2016 the production will tour
town halls and to a barn in central Scotland as well as to a host of playing spaces in the US.
Annie Grace, Alasdair Macrae, David McKay, Paul McCole from the 2014 tour are all returning to join
the ensemble cast and will be joined by acclaimed young Scottish theatre actress Jessica Hardwick,
most recently seen in Lanark (Citizens Theatre and Edinburgh International Festival).
“my heart is lost to Prudencia Hart. ” ***** The Guardian (Adelaide)
“it should tour for eternity” **** The Guardian (London)
One wintry morning, Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, sets off to attend a conference in Kelso in
the Scottish Borders. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there.
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Inspired by the Border Ballads - and delivered in a riotous romp of rhyming couplets, devilish
encounters and wild karaoke - Prudencia’s dream-like journey of self-discovery unfolds among and
around the audience.
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart takes theatre into pubs and other unlikely venues, where
stories are told, re-told, sung and passed on. Audiences are invited to share a lock-in with the
National Theatre of Scotland's company of actors and musicians and to indulge in an evening of
supernatural storytelling, music and theatre inspired by the Border Ballads, Robert Burns and the
poems of Robert Service.
Benromach Single Malt Whisky is delighted to announce that it is continuing its ongoing partnership
with the National Theatre of Scotland in sponsoring The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart.
The sponsorship is part of Benromach’s venture into the arts and will enable each audience member
(18 years and above) to share a dram of Benromach whisky during the show, in licensed venues.
Join the conversation: #PrudenciaHart
Touring USA - Shenandoah Conservatory at Brewbakers Restaurant, Winchester (10 to 14 February
2016); Modlin Center at the Rare Olde Times Pub, Canterbury Shopping Center, Richmond (17 to
21 Feb 2016); Krannert Centre for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois (24 to 27 February
2016); Factory Luxe, Seattle Theatre Group (2 to 20 March 2016); Flynnspace, Flynn Center,
Burlington, Vermont (8 to 10 April 2016) Virginia G. Piper Theatre, Scottsdale Center for
Performing Arts, Arizona (19 to 24 April 2016); The Parlor on Granby Virginia Arts Festival (28 April
to 1 May 2016); Starr Theater at Walton Arts Center, Fayettesville, Northwest Arkansas (4 to 8 May
2016).
Touring Scotland - Blairgowrie Town Hall (17 May 2016); Montrose Town Hall (18 May 2016); St
Andrews Town Hall (19 May 2016); Strathearn Artspace, Crieff (20 May 2016); Alyth Town Hall (21
May 2016); Aberfeldy Town Hall (23 May 2016); Kirriemuir Town Hall (24 May 2016); Carnoustie
Beach Hall (25 May 2016); Castle Green Centre, Broughty Ferry (26 May 2016); Bonar Hall, Dundee
(27 May); The Byre at Inchyra (31 May 2016); Woodend Barn, Banchory (1 June 2016); Biggar
Municipal Hall (3 June 2016); Dalmellington Community Centre, Ayr (4 June 2016)
McMillan Hall, Newton Stuart (7 June 2016); Sanquhar Town Hall(8 June 2016); Carlops Village
Centre (10 June 2016); Stichill Village Hall (11 June 2016).
Opening Performance: Blairgowrie Town Hall on 17 May 2016
On sale: Book online via nationaltheatrescotland.com. Please note, online ticket sales will carry a
booking fee. Tickets will also be available to purchase locally at a later date; see website for details
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NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND PRESS OFFICE CONTACTS:
Emma Schad - Press Manager – emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Tel: +44 (0)227 9016 M: +44 (0)7930 308018
Joe Blythe - Press Officer – joe.blythe@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Tel: +44 (0)141 227 9497 M: +44 (0) )7500 258404
Press Images: there is a selection of images for current productions available for download from
www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/press - please contact the press office for a password.
For season announcement images please contact the press office (contact details above).
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NOTES TO EDITORS
The National Theatre of Scotland is dedicated to playing the great stages, arts centres, village halls,
schools and site-specific locations of Scotland, the UK and internationally. As well as creating
ground-breaking productions and working with the most talented theatre-makers, the National
Theatre of Scotland produces significant community engagement projects, innovates digitally and
works constantly to develop new talent. Central to this is finding pioneering ways to reach current
and new audiences and to encourage people’s full participation in the Company’s work. With no
performance building of its own, the Company works with existing and new venues and companies
to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. Founded in 2006, the Company, in its short life, has
become a globally significant theatrical player, with an extensive repertoire of award-winning work.
The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government.
www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
Established in 1898, Benromach distillery changed hands many times and was virtually derelict when
bought by Gordon & MacPhail in 1993. Drawing on generations of whisky expertise, the company
carried out a painstaking refurbishment, and the distillery was officially re-opened by Prince Charles
in 1998. Just three men hand-craft Benromach using the finest Scottish barley and the purest spring
water from the nearby Romach Hills. They fill new spirit into the highest quality casks before leaving
it to mature at the distillery for many years. The Benromach portfolio includes the award-winning
Benromach 10 Years Old and the first fully certified organic single malt – Benromach Organic.
Benromach and the National Theatre of Scotland are committed to promoting responsible drinking
messages within the sponsorship of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart in accordance with the
guidelines provided by the Scottish Government document 'Alcohol Sponsorship Guidelines
Scotland'
THE STRANGE UNDOING OF PRUDENCIA HART ARTISTS BIOGRAPHIES 2016
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David Greig – Co-creator of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart
David is a playwright, screenwriter and director. His work for the National Theatre of Scotland
includes The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, One Day in Spring, Glasgow Girls, Peter Pan, The
Bacchae, Futurology: A Global Review and Gobbo. His production of Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory opened in the West End in 2013 and his new play The Events premiered at the Traverse
Theatre, Edinburgh in August 2013. Other theatre highlights include The Monster In The Hall,
Midsummer, Yellow Moon, Being Norwegian, Damascus, Pyrenees, San Diego, The American Pilot,
Outlying Islands and The Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the Woman He Once Loved in the Former
Soviet Union.
Wils Wilson – Co-creator of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart
Wils’s recent work includes Gastronauts (Royal Court), an edible performance exploring our complex
relationship with food, Praxis Makes Perfect (National Theatre Wales) a theatre event/gig created
with electro-pop duo Neon Neon, and Anon (WNO), a new opera by Errollyn Wallen. Other work for
National Theatre of Scotland includes Ignition, Gobbo (Best Production for Children & Young People,
Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland) and HOME Shetland (also winner of a CATS Award). Wils was
co-founder and co-Artistic Director of wilson+wilson (1997-2007), creating site-specific art,
installation and theatre. Work included HOUSE, Mapping the Edge, News from the Seventh Floor and
Mulgrave, which took audiences to locations including a derelict house, a tram, woods, a ballroom
and a department store at night.
ENDS
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