Immediate release 11 August 2011
NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND PRESENTS
MEN SHOULD WEEP
Written by Ena Lamont Stewart, Directed by Graham McLaren
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow: Fri 16 Sept - Sat 8 Oct, 2011
Webster Theatre, Arbroath: Tue 18 Oct - Wed 19 Oct, 2011
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness: Tue 25 Oct - Sat 29 Oct, 2011
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen: Tue 1 - Sat 5 Nov, 2011
Kings Theatre, Edinburgh: Tue 8 - Sat 12 Nov, 2011
Perth Theatre: Tue 15 Nov - Sat 26 Nov, 2011
Press Night: Tue 20 September, 2011 at 7.30pm, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
The National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Men Should Weep tours Scotland this
autumn. The full cast is now confirmed with well-known faces from stage and screen set to
appear in this production directed by Graham McLaren.
Men Should Weep opens at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow on Fri 16 Sept until Sat 8 Oct
2011 and goes on tour to the Webster Theatre, Arbroath, from Tues 18 Oct until Wed 19
Oct, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness from Tues 25 Oct until Sat 29 Oct; His Majesty’s
Theatre, Aberdeen from Tue 1 until Sat 5 Nov; Kings Theatre, Edinburgh from Tues 8 until
Sat 12 Nov, and Perth Theatre from Tues 15 Nov until Sat 26 Nov.
The full cast is Anita Vettesse (Mrs Harris), Ann Scott-Jones (Granny), Charlene Boyd
(Isa), Erin McCardie (Edie), Grant McDonald (Ernest), Julie Wilson Nimmo (Mrs Bone),
Kevin Guthrie (Alec), Louise McCarthy (Jenny) Lorraine McIntosh (Maggie) and Michael
Nardone (John), Colin Little (Removal Man / Cover Alec and Ernest), Janette Foggo (Lizzie),
Maureen Carr (Mrs Wilson), Pauline Lockhart (Mrs Bone).
Ena Lamont Stewart's landmark 1947 play is set amid the crippling poverty of Glasgow's
infamous tenements in the 1930s.
At the centre of the story is Maggie, the care-worn matriarch. Supported and hindered in
equal measure by a network of neighbours and family - from whom it is impossible to keep
any secrets - she does her best in the worst of circumstances, always putting herself last.
Men Should Weep Director, Graham McLaren comments:
“Men Should Weep is one of the very best plays ever to be written about the corrosive
effects of poverty. This is not a problem that has ever gone away. It is almost the story of my
own family 70 years ago and it is almost the story of people living with the pressure of
poverty and unemployment today in Glasgow, Manchester, London or any city on the planet.
It has been compared to the work of Sean O’Casey or Synge. I see more similarities with
Ken Loach or Tennessee Williams but, unlike them, Ena Lamont Stewart is a Scot and I’m
excited to help bring the play to a new audience here at home.”
CAST
Anita Vettesse (Mrs Harris) has worked extensively in theatre and was most recently in
Small Town (Random Accomplice) and The Chooky Brae (Borderline Theatre Company).
Ann Scott-Jones (Granny) was most recently in Emmerdale on ITV and has also appeared
in The Highlife as well as a number of films.
Charlene Boyd (Isa) has previously worked with the National Theatre of Scotland having
appeared in Empty and Miracle Man.
Erin McCardie (Edie) was in the BBC drama Tinsel Town.
Julie Wilson Nimmo (Mrs Bone) is well known for playing Miss Hoolie in the BBC television
series Balamory. Other television credits include Rab C Nesbitt and Chewin’ The Fat. Julie
has appeared in a number of National Theatre of Scotland productions including The House
of Bernarda Alba, 365 and Tutti Frutti.
Kevin Guthrie (Alec) played the title role in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of
Peter Pan and was recently in Dunsinane.
Lorraine McIntosh (Maggie) is the lead singer in Deacon Blue and is also known for her
television roles in River City, Taggart and Hope Springs. Last year she was in the National
Theatre of Scotland’s production Beautiful Burnout.
Louise McCarthy (Jenny) was most recently in Sleeping Beauty (Imagine Theatre). She has
also appeared as a dancer on ITV’s X Factor.
Colin Little (Removal Man / Cover Alec and Ernest) has recently appeared as Crazy Gary in
the Tron Theatre Company’s production of Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco. His previous work
includes a leading role in Singin’ I’m No a Billy, He’s a Tim (NLP Theatre) and Suspicious
Minds (Siege Perilous).
Janette Foggo (Lizzie) has had numerous televsion roles such as Urban Gothic (Blackjack
Productions), Rab C. Nesbitt (BBC Scotland), and Taggart (STV). She also appeared in the
film Loch Ness (Polygram).
Maureen Carr (Mrs Wilson) is known for her television appearances in Case Histories and
River City both for the BBC. Her stage credits include the recent production of Six Black
Candles for the Goldfish Theatre Company and The Steamie (Neil Laidlaw Productions).
Michael Nardone (John) has appeared in numerous television roles including Skins Series
II (Company Pictures), Trial & Retribution (La Plante Productions), River City (BBC
Television) and Rome (HBO). He also played the role of Writer/Sergeant in the National
Theatre of Scotland’s production of Black Watch.
Pauline Lockhart (Mrs Bone) is well-known on the stage for her performances in Money:
The Game Show (Platform 18) and Elsie And Mairie Go To War (Dauntless Productions). In
addition her television appearances include Case Histories and How Not To Live Your Life
for BBC.
Creative Team
Graham McLaren (Director), Phil McCormack (Assistant Director), Colin Richmond
(Designer), Colin Grenfell (Lighting Designer), Nick Sagar (Sound Designer)
Men Should Weep is supported by Bank of Scotland as part of Pioneering Partnership - a
new sponsorship connecting Bank of Scotland and the National Theatre of Scotland in a
relationship across a wide range of National Theatre of Scotland programme elements over
two years. The partnership offers geographic spread and reach across productions, initiatives,
workshops and events particularly in the area of supporting creativity and emerging talent.
Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland commented:
“We are absolutely delighted to continue our Pioneering Partnership with the National Theatre
of Scotland. Our investment enables National Theatre of Scotland to develop its
core programme further and to take it to audiences across Scotland. It is estimated that in the
first year alone nearly 100,000 people will come into contact with a production or initiative
under the Bank of Scotland Pioneering Partnership banner. Our joint aim is to encourage and
support the next generation of theatrical talent, from actors to set designers, directors to
writers, reinforcing Bank of Scotland’s wider sponsorship strategy of supporting emerging
talent in Scotland and providing opportunities for our customers and colleagues.”
LISTINGS
Venue, Date and Time:
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 16 Sept - Sat 8 Oct 2011 at 7.30pm and 2.30pm Sat 24 Sept,
Sat 1 Oct, Sat 8 Oct
Ticket prices:
£5-£18
Booking Number: 0141 429 0022
Online booking:
www.citz.co.uk
Venue, Date and Time:
Webster Theatre, Arbroath: Tue 18 Oct – Wed 19 Oct 2011 at 7.30pm
Ticket prices:
£8 - £14
Booking Number: 01241 435800
Online booking:
www.webstertheatre.co.uk
Venue, Date and Time:
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Tue 25 -Sat 29 Oct 2011 at 7.30pm
Ticket prices:
£15 - £19.50
Booking Number: 01463 234 234
Online booking:
www.eden-court.co.uk
Venue, Date and Time:
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Tue 1-Sat 5 Nov 2011 at 7.30 and 2.30pm Sat 5 Nov
Ticket prices:
£16 - £24.50
In person:
Aberdeen Box Office at the Music Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre and
The Lemon Tree
Booking Number: 01224 641122
Online booking:
www.boxofficeaberdeen.com
Venue, Date and Time:
Kings Theatre, Edinburgh, Tue 8-Sat 12 Nov 2011 at 7.30pm and 2.30pm Sat 12 Nov
Ticket prices:
£14.50 - £27.50
Booking Number: 0131 529 6000
Online booking:
www.kingstheatre.org.uk
Venue, Date and Time:
Perth Theatre, Tue 15 Nov-Sat 26 Nov 2011 at 7.45pm and 2.30pm Sat 19 Nov and Sat 26
Nov
Ticket prices:
£10.50 - £19
Booking Number: 01738 621 031
Online booking:
www.horsecross.co.uk
For further information contact:
Andrew Neilson, Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 141 227 9497/ +44 (0) 7912540139
E: andrew.neilson@nationaltheatrescotland.com
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its
launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating
over 137 productions in 125 different locations. With no building of its own, the Company
takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and
companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great
buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks,
community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to almost
600,000 people, across three continents.
2. For box office information and updates visit www.nationaltheatrescotland.com Follow
National Theatre of Scotland on twitter.com/NTSonline; facebook National Theatre of
Scotland and on YouTube www.youtube.com/user/NTSonline
3. Bank of Scotland is a long-standing supporter of sports and the arts in Scotland. Through
their sponsorships they aim to support emerging talent across Scotland. Bank of Scotland
currently has partnerships with a wide range of Scottish sporting and cultural bodies including
Imaginate, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Scottish Football Association and the
Great Scottish Run. As part of the Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of Scotland is a Proud Partner
for Scotland for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their mission is to inspire
and support young people, colleagues, communities and businesses across Scotland all the
way to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, through cultural and
sporting activities.
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