National Theatre of Scotland
presents
2012 season
April to December 2012
Artistic Director, Vicky Featherstone says:
“The National Theatre of Scotland was created to reach and appeal to a wide range of diverse audiences
across Scotland. Our innovative model enables us to do that. Our 2012 season, in collaboration with so
many of Scotland’s extraordinary artists and companies is an example of that. From work for Scottish
primary schools, to teenagers, for older audiences, for large scale popular appeal and for intimate and
thought-provoking personal experiences, I am thrilled to unleash this range of work to the world.”
APRIL TO MAY 2012

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, by David Greig and Wils Wilson, their devilishly good
reinvention of the Border Ballad is back by popular demand with a Scottish tour and a subsequent
UK and international tour.

The National Theatre of Scotland collaborates with GI Festival for the first time with The Making
of…… A collaboration with Graham Eatough and Graham Fagen and an exploration in film, theatre
and visual art, at the Tramway, Glasgow.

The National Theatre of Scotland partners with Oran Mor again to present the One Day in
Spring with brand new pieces of work from across the Arab world, curated by David Greig.
The season will play for 6 weeks at Oran Mor,Glasgow with a subsequent run at the Traverse
Theatre, Edinburgh.

The National Theatre of Scotland’s first experiment in Carbon Lite Theatre. The Company takes to
the road on bicycles to perform award-winning writer and illustrator Harry Horse’s The Last Polar
Bears in primary schools and community centres across the lowlands of Scotland.

Vicky Featherstone and Abi Morgan’s 27, a beautiful meditation on faith, love and loss, returns with
runs at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and the Cambridge Arts Theatre.
JUNE TO JULY 2012

Alan Cumming returns to Scotland with a new and radical take on Macbeth. Alan Cumming’s solo
show will be directed by John Tiffany and Andy Goldberg and will have performances at tramway,
Glasgow before transferring to the Lincoln Center, New York.

The National Theatre of Scotland’s popular Exchange festival, now in its 6th year, returns to
macrobert, Stirling, with the premieres of 6 new pieces of theatre by Scottish Youth Theatres and
two by international Youth Theatres.
SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER 2012

My Shrinking Life brings together leading Scottish theatre maker Alison Peebles and radical
European director, Lies Pauwels, to take us through Alison’s personal struggle with MS.
Touring Scotland, opening at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow.

The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and the National Theatre of Scotland are back in business,
with a new production of The Guid Sisters by Michel Tremblay, in Scots translation by Bill Findlay,
directed by acclaimed Canadian director, Serge Denoncourt.

Adrian Howells is hoping to make a splash with his new site specific project, lifeguard, set in the
derelict Govanhill Baths in Glasgow.
OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER 2012

A brand new musical for Scotland, conceived and directed by the award-winning Cora Bissett telling
the feel good story of Glasgow teenagers with a cause. Glasgow Girls is at the Citizens Theatre. A
co-production with Theatre Royal Stratford East, Pachamama Productions, Richard Jordan
Productions Ltd in association with Citizens Theatre and Merrigong Theatre Company (Australia)

The National Theatre of Scotland partners with Vox Motus for the first time to present a magical
new show for families; Dragon, directed by Jamie Harrison and Candice Edmunds .
THROUGHOUT 2012

The award-winning tfd is back. The Company is presenting a package of five shows for young
people across Scotland and the UK, including the Citizen’s Theatre’s Yellow Moon and The Monster
in the Hall, both by David Greig, Count Me in by Gary McNair, Love Letters to the Public Transport
System by Molly Taylor and Mr Write by Rob Drummond. The productions will be accompanied by
workshops, talks and opportunities for young people across Scotland.

The Bank of Scotland continues their Pioneering Partnership with the Company, with support
shown across a programme of selected productions and initiatives.

Staging the Nation continues throughout the year, with readings, lectures, debates, curated events
and book clubs. Join in the conversation and watch online at www.stagingthenation.com.
Additional touring and a programme of work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will be announced in 2012.
NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND
and
BANK OF SCOTLAND
PIONEERING PARTNERSHIP
Pioneering Partnership is 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 will offer geographic spread and reach across
productions, initiatives, workshops and events particularly in the area of supporting creativity and
emerging talent. In Year 2(2012) the elements of Bank of Scotland Pioneering Partnership will
include support of:
o An Appointment with the Wicker Man by Greg Hemphill and Donald McLeary (as
previously announced)
o The Guid Sisters by Michel Tremblay in Scots translation by Bill Findlay – a coproduction with the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
o Small scale tour of The Monster in the Hall and Yellow Moon, by David Greig and
directed by Guy Hollands. The National Theatre of Scotland tours the Citizens
Theatre productions.
o Emerging Artists - 4 artists per year
o New Directors - 3 placements of 10 weeks per year
Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland said: ‘We are really looking forward
to the second year of our partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland and are extremely
excited about developing our Bank of Scotland Pioneering Partnership. Our first year has been a
huge success with almost 100,000 people across Scotland experiencing a production or initiative
supported by Bank of Scotland. We look forward to seeing that number increase in 2012 through
our support of much of the National Theatre of Scotland’s wide-reaching programme.
2012 will see us support two exciting new productions, An Appointment with the Wickerman and
The Guid Sisters, touring productions of The Monster in the Hall and Yellow Moon and also the
Emerging Artist and New Director schemes, reinforcing Bank of Scotland’s wider sponsorship
strategy of supporting emerging talent in Scotland and providing opportunities for customers and
colleagues.
IN REPERTOIRE
National Theatre of Scotland presents
The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart
Created by David Greig (writer) and Wils Wilson (director)
Designed by Georgia McGuinness
Composed by Alasdair Macrae
Touring Scotland from 10th April to 5th May 2012
Following a sell-out, critically acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe run and Scottish tour, The Strange Undoing of
Prudencia Hart will embark on a UK wide and international tour from April 2012.
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. Inspired by the Border
Ballads, the audience is swept along on Prudencia’s dream-like journey of self discovery, filled with magical
moments, devilish encounters and wittily wild karaoke.
The production won a Herald Angel at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and also won the 2011 Critics' Award for
Theatre in Scotland for Best Music and Sound.
David Greig was born in Edinburgh, studied at Bristol University and is a highly-respected playwright and theatre
director. In 1990 he co-founded Suspect Culture Theatre Group with Graham Eatough in Glasgow. David's recent
work for the National Theatre of Scotland includes Dunsinane (RSC), Peter Pan and The Bacchae (EIF). Other
theatre work includes Midsummer (Traverse Theatre and Soho Theatre), Creditors (Donmar Warehouse and BAM)
and The American Pilot (RSC, Soho and MTC). He is currently working on a new Broadway production of Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory.
Venues and dates
Beveridge Suite, Adam Smith, Kirkcaldy
Blair Atholl Village Hall, Pitlochry
Nethy Bridge Village Hall, Strathspey
Kippen Village Hall, Stirling
Crianlarich Village Hall, Perthshire
Cove Burgh Hall, Kilcreggan
West Kilbride Village Hall, West Kilbride
Carlops Village Hall, Penicuik
Tait Hall, Kelso
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival
10-11 April 2012
13 April 2012
14 April 2012
24 April 2012
26 April 2012
27-28 April 2012
1 May 2012
2 May 2012
4-5 May 2012
31May - 1 June2012
The production will be touring throughout 2012, visiting festivals and venues in the UK and internationally, further
details to be announced.
WORLD PREMIERE
Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art and the National Theatre of Scotland
present
The Making Of...
Co-created by Graham Eatough and visual artist Graham Fagen, working with Director of Photography
Michael McDonough and film producer Angela Murray
At Tramway 1, Glasgow
Exhibition: 20th April – 7th May 2012
Performances : Friday 20th April – Sunday 22nd April 2012
Press Performance on Friday 20th April 2012
The Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art (GI) and the National Theatre of Scotland join forces for the
first time to present The Making of... a collaboration between theatre director Graham Eatough, visual
artist Graham Fagen, Director of Photography Michael McDonough and film producer Angela Murray.
Combining elements of visual art installation and promenade theatre, the project centres on a unique
approach to the role of film in a live event and its future representation.
The public are invited to become “extras” who participate in the making of a film, free to move around the
stage sets installed within the space. The staged environments remain in situ throughout the Festival as an
installation. From time to time, the installation will be animated by performers, at other times the public
can observe live editing of film footage from the staged events. The resulting footage will be made into a
work in its own right, to be presented at a later date.
Graham Eatough is a theatre director and performer with specialist interest in the links between visual art
and theatre in the live experience. Eatough is best known as co- founder and Artistic Director of
experimental theatre company Suspect Culture, formed with writer David Greig with whom he helped to
create 20 shows over 18 years.
Graham Fagen is an artist who lives and works in Glasgow. He exhibits internationally, with recent
exhibitions at the Busan Biennale, South Korea and the Art and Industry Biennial, New Zealand. In Britain,
he has exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Britain and the Institute of Contemporary Art,
London. His most recent work Missing, is being presented in the newly-opened Scottish National Portrait
Gallery, Edinburgh.
Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art (GI) will take place across Glasgow from Friday 20th April 2012
to Monday 7th May 2012. GI is a unique event in the international calendar with one of the most groundbreaking and dynamic presentations of contemporary visual arts practice. GI is a unique event that offers
both globally recognised and emerging Glasgow-based artists across the spectrum of the city’s art scene a
platform to show new work to both national and international audiences while also introducing the work of
important international artists. Since its inception in 2005, the Festival has brought together the key
organisations in Glasgow’s diverse artistic community, presenting unique events and special commissions
rooted in the achievements of the local artistic community, while drawing on important international
developments in contemporary art.
Supported by a Creative Scotland Vital Sparks award.
WORLD PREMIERES
National Theatre of Scotland in association with Oran Mor presents
A Play, A Pie and a Pint:
One Day in Spring Season
Curated by David Greig
At Òran Mór from 16th April – 26th May 2012
In Spring 2012, the National Theatre of Scotland, in association with Òran Mór, will produce six
shows on the revolution that changed the world. The One Day in Spring season will bring new
writing from Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya to the lunchtime audiences of Glasgow
and Edinburgh.
The centrepiece show, One Day in Spring, will be an hour long collection of 24 different scenes by
24 young writers from cities all over the Middle East. Each of the scenes will tell the story of a
specific hour in a specific location. Directed by David Greig, One Day in Spring aims to create an
immediate theatre portrait of a generation and to artistically capture a precise moment in time.
David Greig will also be curating the whole season.
The season follows on from the successful Latin American season co-produced by the National
Theatre of Scotland and Òran Mór and the Traverse in 2011.
David Greig says
“I’m thrilled about One Day in Spring. It’s absolutely the right time for us to hear young voices
from the Arab world. These plays are hot off the press and they reflect a world view which is far
away from 24 hour rolling news and CNN. It’s the inside story of a generation who are trying to
shape their world in the streets and squares of Damascus and Cairo and Tunis. This season of work
is a great mix of contemporary plays and writing from Lebanon, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and
Palestine. The work ranges from new plays to devised work, political, comic and reflective. There
are some great Scottish directors involved and we also hope to involve artists, actors and directors
from the Arab world. I can’t wait for the Scottish audience to have their first chance to see these
fascinating plays.”
David MacLennan, Òran Mór producer says,
“This extraordinary, contemporary, exciting season of new work from the Arab world has been
created by David Greig. Òran Mór is very much looking forward to hosting this second season of
plays from other countries after the success last year of our collaboration with the National
Theatre of Scotland on the season of plays from Latin America.”
Productions from the season will transfer to the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh in April/May 2012
WORLD PREMIERE
National Theatre of Scotland
presents
THE LAST POLAR BEARS
by Harry Horse
Directed by Joe Douglas
An experiment in Carbon Lite Theatre
Touring Scotland from 8th May 2012
Press Performance to be confirmed
The National Theatre of Scotland is premiering The Last Polar Bears by Harry Horse. The award-winning
writer and illustrator’s story tells of an old man and his dog – Roo – on a quest to the North Pole to see the
polar bears before all the ice melts. Horse tells the story through letters to his grandchild who’s been left
behind at home. This play is touring as part of the Company’s first foray into Carbon Lite Theatre, with the
company touring on bicycles, with trailers pulled behind, on a tour of Scotland, visiting primary schools and
community centres in Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, East Lothian and Edinburgh.
The Last Polar Bears is directed by Joe Douglas who is a freelance director and theatre-maker. He was
Trainee Director for the National Theatre of Scotland 2007 to 2008 and directed Our Teacher's a Troll for
the Company. Joe makes work with and for young people and The Last Polar Bears will be a continuation
of this work, as well as the result of his research into climate change.
Harry Horse was a writer of children’s books, an artist of political cartoons and a musician whose influence
lives on in the Scottish folk punk scene. His best known books were the six telling the adventures of Roo
the dog. The first in the series The Last Polar Bears tells the story of Grandfather and Roo’s trip to the North
Pole to see a polar bear in the wild after they’re saddened by seeing one in captivity. The book sold over a
million copies worldwide and was made into an animated film starring Nigel Hawthorne as Grandfather.
Harry also wrote the Little Rabbit series of books for younger readers. His first book The Ogopogo: My
Journey With The Loch Ness Monster was published in 1983 and became the first children’s book to win the
Scottish Arts Council award.
Joe Douglas says:
"I have no idea, really, what the challenges will be in touring a show like this. After reading a lot of books
about our changing climate, I just wanted to find a way of making theatre that really engaged with mother
nature in Scotland, rather than just driving over her in a car. The Last Polar Bears - at its heart - is about a
seemingly impossible quest and having the strength to carry on. Like the Grandfather in the story who sets
off to the North Pole, I'm a bit scared - I don't even really know if it’s possible but I feel like it’s important to
try. And hopefully I'll have really good calves by the end too."
IN REPERTOIRE
National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
present
27
By Abi Morgan
Directed by Vicky Featherstone
With set and costumes designs by Merle Hensel, lighting design by Natasha Chivers and sound
design and music composed by Nick Powell
Touring Scotland and the UK from 17th May
Citizens Theatre, Glasgow from 17th – 26th May 2012
Cambridge Arts Theatre from 5th – 10th June 2012
Further dates to be announced
Press Performance 18th May 2012
After a successful run at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, the National Theatre of Scotland
and the Royal Lyceum Theatre will be presenting 27 at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow from 17th –
26th May 2012 before a UK tour.
Abi Morgan’s play, drawing on research contained within the book and study Aging with Grace by
David Snowdon, is an extraordinary examination of a lifestyle in decline, but one whose dignity
and faith could hold the key to the isues of our times – our ageing population and the decline of
our minds. 27 is an important and human play about loneliness, ageing, science and the loss of our
sense of self.
Abi Morgan writes for theatre, film and TV. Her most recent theatre works include writing for
Rupert Gould’s Decade and The Great Game (Tricycle Theatre). Her production of Lovesong for
Frantic Assembly is currently touring the UK. Other theatre works includes Skinned and Sleeping
Around (Paines Plough), Tiny Dynamite (Traverse), Tender (Hampstead), Splendour (a Fringe First
Award-winner at the Edinburgh Festival in 2000) and Fugee (National Theatre). Her television work
includes My Fragile Heart; Murder; Sex Traffic (Channel 4); Tsunami – The Aftermath; White
Girl and Royal Wedding. Her new series for Kudos and the BBC called The Hour has been
commissioned for a second series on BBC One. Her film writing credits include Brick Lane, an
adaptation of Monica Ali’s bestseller and; most recently; Shame directed by Steve McQueen. The
Iron Lady written by Abi on the subject of Margaret Thatcher has just been released.
The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company is one of Scotland’s leading producing theatre companies. It
has a reputation for excellence in its presentation of bold, eclectic programmes celebrating
classical and contemporary work. Its commitment to developing new talent alongside its pursuit
of the finest artists enables it to bring dynamic and high quality drama to the stage. The Lyceum
enjoys creative partnerships led by passion for the work, as with this very fine production of 27
with the National Theatre of Scotland, and has co-produced with many of the best theatre
companies in the UK. The Lyceum engages with a wide audience and has one of the liveliest youth
theatres in Scotland.
National Theatre of Scotland
presents
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Performed by Alan Cumming
Directed by John Tiffany and Andrew Goldberg
From 14th to 30th June 2012 at tramway, Glasgow
Press Performance on Friday 15h June
From 5th to 14th July 2012 at Lincoln Center Festival, New York City
US press performance on Saturday 7th July
Hollywood actor and award-winning Scot, Alan Cumming takes on all of Shakespeare’s characters,
in this original reimagining of Shakespeare’s Scottish play. Alan Cumming is reunited with the
National Theatre of Scotland’s John Tiffany to present a radical new interpretation of “the Scottish
play”.
Alan Cumming says:
“I have been obsessed with Macbeth for as long as I can remember. It was the first Shakespeare I
ever read, the first I was ever in and it continues to haunt and inspire me. The only thing I can think
of more exciting, challenging and terrifying than this play is to do a one-man version of it with
these great directors and this great Company and to perform it in my two favourite cities in the
world, Glasgow and New York.”
John Tiffany and Alan Cumming originally worked together on Euripides’ The Bacchae which took
the Edinburgh International Festival by storm in 2007 and subsequently toured in 2008 to
Aberdeen, Inverness and New York. Andy Goldberg was Staff Director on Black Watch in New
York, when he and John Tiffany first started collaborating creatively. It was here in New York
where Andy Golberg, John Tiffany and Alan Cumming first came up with the idea of this show.
John Tiffany is Associate Director at the National Theatre of Scotland. His production of Once by
Enda Walsh is about to open in New York City. His productions for the National Theatre of
Scotland include The Missing, Peter Pan, The House of Bernarda Alba, Transform Caithness:
Hunter, Be Near Me, Nobody Will Ever Forgive Us, The Bacchae, Black Watch, Elizabeth Gordon
Quinn, Home: Glasgow. For Black Watch, John has won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best
Director, as well as a Critics’ Circle Award for Best Director, a Scotsman Fringe First, a Herald Angel
and a Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland. John has recently returned from Harvard University
where he was a Radcliffe Fellow from 2010 to 2011.
Andy Goldberg has directed classical works, new plays, and musicals all over the world. His most
well known productions include The Bomb-itty of Errors, a hip-hop adaptation of The Comedy of
Errors which premiered off-Broadway before being seen internationally, including the Edinburgh
Fringe (Stage Award for best ensemble) followed by London’s West End; Daddy Cool, the Boney M
musical, at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London; as well as Hair in Asbury Park, Romeo & Juliet for
American Stage, Twelfth Night at LaMaMa, Fair Maid of the West at Pleasance, London. For over
five years he was the Associate Artistic Director of The New Group. He is also the founder of The
Shakespeare Gym, a laboratory for physical and vocal acting approaches to Shakespeare. He lives
in New York City.
Alan Cumming has a transatlantic, award-winning stage career. He made his theatre debut as
Malcolm in Michael Boyd's production of Macbeth at the Tron, Glasgow and his West End debut at
the Royal Court Theatre in Conquest of the South Pole for which he received his first Olivier Award
nomination. He has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre
where he won an Olivier Award for Accidental Death of An Anarchist. He was nominated for Olivier
Awards for La Bete and Cabaret, and his Hamlet at the Donmar Warehouse in London won him a
TMA Best Actor Award and a Shakespeare Globe nomination. In 1998, Cabaret opened on
Broadway, for which he won many awards. He has continued to work on Broadway in The
Threepenny Opera opposite Cyndi Lauper, Design For Living and off-Broadway in Jean Genet’s Elle
(which he also adapted) and The Seagull, opposite Dianne Wiest. In 2006, he returned to the
British stage in Martin Sherman’s Bent, and most recently appeared in the National Theatre of
Scotland’s production of Euripides’ The Bacchae.
Alan Cumming is currently appearing as Eli Gold on CBS' The Good Wife, for which he has received
Emmy, SAG and Satellite award nominations. Over the last couple of years he has also: sung at
venues around the globe including the Sydney Opera House; appeared in films opposite Helen
Mirren, Cher, James Franco and Christina Aguilera; voiced a Smurf, a goat and Hitler; sparred with
Dianne Wiest in Chekhov; directed and starred in a musical condom commercial; written articles
for Newsweek, Harpers Bazaar and Out; recorded an award-winning album of songs and a dance
remix; made three documentaries; released a second fragrance (naturally named Second
Cumming); hosted PBS' Masterpiece Mystery as well as speaking out for LGBT equality and civil
rights and going to Buckingham Palace to receive an OBE for all of the above. Time Magazine also
called him one of the most fun people in show business.
National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with macrobert, Stirling,
presents:
Exchange 2012
at macrobert, Stirling from 2nd – 7th July 2012
The National Theatre of Scotland’s international theatre festival for 16 – 25 year olds
Now in its sixth year, the National Theatre of Scotland’s vibrant Exchange programme brings together
groups of young theatre-makers (aged 16 to 25 years old) from Scotland and beyond, to create and
perform thrilling new pieces of theatre with the help and support of a professional creative team. Eight
groups of young theatre-makers have been selected to take part in Exchange 2012; six groups from
Scotland and two international groups.
Participating groups are encouraged to develop their skills through stimulating master-classes and
workshops with leading national and international theatre-makers. The groups are each supported
artistically and financially in the creation of an original work of quality contemporary theatre. Each theatre
piece is initially performed in the group’s home area before it is staged as part of the week-long Exchange
festival at macrobert, Stirling, in July 2012. The popular Exchange TV is back for a third year.
The Scottish theatre groups taking part in Exchange 2012 are:
 Knox Academy, Haddington
 Kinetic, Buckhaven, Fife
 Rusty Boat, Port Glasgow
 Seanachas, Skye
 Citizens Theatre Young Co, Glasgow
 macrobert, Stirling
The international groups taking part in Exchange 2012 are:
 The Saber Players, Uncommon Charter High School, Brooklyn, New York, USA
 Kildare Youth Theatre, Ireland
WORLD PREMIERE
National Theatre of Scotland
presents
MY SHRINKING LIFE
Created and performed by Alison Peebles
Directed by Lies Pauwels
At The Tron Theatre, Glasgow, from 8th to 15th September 2012
Touring Scotland until 6th October 2012
Press Performance on Tuesday 11th 2012 September at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow.
My Shrinking Life is an exciting collaboration between one of Scotland’s leading actors, directors
and theatre/film makers, Alison Peebles and European experimental theatre-maker, Lies Pauwels.
It was during rehearsals for David Greig’s The Cosmonaut’s Last Message To The Woman He Once
Loved In The Former Soviet Union, when a creeping numbness and too many falls led Alison to her
doctor and an eventual diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis.
My Shrinking Life created from interviews with family, friends, colleagues and the medical
profession examines the journey Alison has been on physically and emotionally since that first
diagnosis in 2001. Celebratory, irreverent and challenging, it is the story of Alison and her
shrinking life.
My Shrinking Life is directed by Lies Pauwels, an associate of experimental Belgian theatre company,
Campo/Victoria, who directed David Harrower’s Knives and Hens for the National Theatre of Scotland in
2011.
Alison said, “Toddlers just learning to walk whiz past me as I stagger inelegantly on my crutches, people
amble past, non-serious walkers just ……walking, taking for granted the gift they don’t know they have”
Alison trained as a painter at Edinburgh School of Art, became a Performance Artist, then worked as a
Community Artist in Cumbria. She developed her career as an actress as a co-founder of and touring
with Communicado Theatre. She has played leading roles in theatres throughout UK. Recent
productions include Mother Courage, Doubt and Happy Days. She has just finished a feature-film, 7
Lucky Gods, and two short films Angelina Daemon and Meal Deal and can currently be seen in Donna
Rutherford’s KIN’ playing theatres, hospitals, museums and art galleries.
Alison has directed an award-winning feature film, short films, TV, radio and many productions for
theatre. In 2012 she will direct The Captain’s Collection for Dogstar at Celtic Connections, Glasgow and
The Man Who Lived Twice for Birds of Paradise about the young John Gielgud’s meeting in New York
with playwright Edward Sheldon who was paralysed from the neck down. For the National Theatre of
Scotland she directed Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off, HOME Aberdeen and Flit –
Transform Kilmarnock .
In 2005 Alison made a documentary about having Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple with Media Co-op and
BBC Scotland. The documentary won awards at the Chicago International Film Festival, Worldfest
Houston, Texas and Superfest International Disability Film Festival, Berkeley, California. Alison
directed the feature film ‘AfterLife’ by Andrea Gibb (The Standard Life Audience Award at The
Edinburgh International Film Festival and Audience Award, Cherbourg Film Festival), short films Nan
and Tangerine by Colin Hough for Scottish Screen/BBC/STV and the 10 part series Stacey Stone for BBC
Scotland. Radio includes The Last Ten, Club Velvet and Lochpool Nights and by Simon McCallum.
The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and the National Theatre of Scotland
present
The Guid Sisters
Written by Michel Tremblay
Translated by Martin Bowman and William Findlay
Directed by Serge Denoncourt
At the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in September 2012
Following recent successes with 27 and Dunsinane, two major Scottish producing companies join
forces to present a Scots classic, directed by a leading Canadian director.
This “rich, raucous and gritty” Scots version by Bill Findlay of Quebecois writer Michel Tremblay's
play Les Belles -soeurs was premiered at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow in 1989. Findlay went on to
trans-create eight Tremblay plays, with co-translator, Martin Bowman. This successful partnership
has made Tremblay one of the most performed international playwrights in Scotland.
In Findlay’s version of The Guid Sisters, Germaine Luzon wins a million Green Shield stamps.
Germaine is in for a windfall but the only way she can collect the money is to stick each stamp into
a book. Calling upon her family, friends and neighbours to help, the play listens in as this
formidable group of women talk about life, the world and the men in their lives.
Serge Denoncourt is one of Canada’s leading directors with over 80 productions to his credit. He
has collaborated with Michel Tremblay on a number of pieces including two productions of Les
Belles-soeurs. He has worked with Cirque du Soleil and is known for creating visually beautiful
productions. This will be his first production of The Guid Sisters.
Mark Thomson, Artistic Director of the Lyceum Theatre says, “If theatre is joy in - and celebration
of - people, place and time then Michel Tremblay’s The Guid Sisters in this brilliant translation by
Findlay and Bowman is a true piece of theatre. I’m thrilled that Tremblay’s director of choice and
internationally renowned director Serge Denoncourt will direct a Scottish cast. It’s a brilliant piece
of theatre alchemy to launch the Lyceum’s season.”
Supported by the Bank of Scotland
National Theatre of Scotland and The Arches
present
lifeguard
Created and performed by Adrian Howells
In collaboration with Mike Brookes, Minty Donald, Rob Drummond, Nick Millar and Nichola Scrutton.
Friday 5th October to 27th October 2012 at Govanhill Baths, Glasgow, in association with Govanhill Baths
Community Trust and the Centre for Community Practice.
Press performance on Tuesday 9th October 2012
Adrian Howells is creating an intimate, immersive theatrical experience at the derelict Govanhill Baths in
Glasgow. His performance will invite audiences to engage with their memories of swimming pools and
their relationships with water. In the evocative setting of the old Baths, audiences will have the opportunity
to enter into a multi-sensory poolside encounter with their own ‘lifeguard’.
Govanhill Baths, a Georgian swimming pool and wash house, was closed 11 years ago and is now looked
after by Govanhill Baths Community Trust whose aim is to preserve and conserve the baths for the public
benefit.
Adrian Howells says:
"Since my childhood I have always been strangely drawn to, and fascinated by, swimming pools. I love
swimming and the sensation of my body being buoyed up by the water and I find it thrilling to watch other
bodies - diving, cutting through the surface and especially moving underwater, always graceful in their
suspension. I'm intrigued by the fact that swimming is such a solitary pursuit, but we're so often doing it
surrounded by other people, constantly part of a transient community. And I'm attracted to the layers of
paradox that co-exist within the environment of a public pool: they contain ideas of both public and private
behaviour; they're intended as centres of pleasure and abandonment, yet they're also places which are
highly regulated and sanitised; they promote a celebration of life and living, yet the risk of drowning and
death is an ever pervasive threat. Hence the need for, and constant presence of, a vigilant lifeguard. Public
pools are also places that are inevitably erotically charged, with so much naked flesh on display, but woe
betide anyone who is caught "heavy petting"!
Adrian Howells is a Glasgow-based performance-maker who creates intimate theatrical experiences in nontraditional performance spaces, often in a one-to-one, autobiographical, or confessional context. He is
Artist-in-Residence at the Arches for the next two years and will be collaborating with TouchBase, Sense
Scotland, to create work around ideas of touch and tactile communication. He is also currently an Honorary
Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow. His work has been presented in Japan, Singapore, Israel,
Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy and Ireland, as well as at many UK festivals. In 2011, his Edinburgh Festival
Fringe show at the Point Hotel, Edinburgh 'May I Have The Pleasure...?' which was presented by the Arches,
received a Total Theatre Award. His most recent one-to-one work 'The Pleasure of Being:
Washing/Feeding/Holding' is a co-production with Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, and was presented at an
exclusive One-On-One Festival at BAC in both 2010 and 2011 and by the Arches alongside 'May I Have the
Pleasure...?’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2011.
WORLD PREMIERE
National Theatre of Scotland, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Pachamama Productions,
Richard Jordan Productions Ltd in association with Citizens Theatre and
Merrigong Theatre Company (Australia) present
Glasgow Girls
Conceived and directed by Cora Bissett
With music by Patricia Panther, Rapper MCSoomT and Cora Bissett
Written by David Greig
31st October to 17th November 2012 at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
Press performance on Friday 2nd November 2012
Glasgow Girls is a brand new life-affirming Scottish musical with seven strong female leads and a
vibrant multi-cultural voice at its heart. The musical promises to be a celebration of Glasgow and
the power of teenagers with a cause
Scotland 2005. A High School in Glasgow. A community which has learned to accept the new wave
of asylum seekers in its midst for the past six years. Friendships build, bonds are formed. Life seems
settled, until one family is ripped from home in a Glasgow high rise flat, and driven away in the
middle of the night to be deported.
Driven by a fierce sense of injustice, the girls fight together for the life of their friend, for their
families' rights, for the rights of children. Despite the risks to their own safety, they take on the
Scottish Government and Home Office and, as a team, succeed where adults and politicians often
fail.
Based on a true story, in 2005, the real life Glasgow Girls became one of the most vocal and
powerful pro-asylum seeker campaigners in the country, appearing in two television
documentaries and hosts of interviews. At the peak of their success, they won a clutch of awards
for their appeals, including Best Public Campaign at the Politician of the Year Awards in 2005.
Glasgow Girls will feature all original songs from the diverse talents of Scots-Asian Rapper
MCSoomT, electronic dance programmer Patricia Panther and alt-folk from Cora Bissett.
Glasgow Girls will be presented at Theatre Royal Stratford East, London in Spring 2013.
Cora Bissett says:
“It was working with a real story in creating 'RoadKill' which fuelled my passion for creating drama
based on real and current events. The more I read around The Glasgow Girls, the more I felt that
this wasn't to be just a sad tale of injustices in a system. For me, there is something incredibly
inspiring and life-affirming in this story too.
With all the discontent among our youth, I want a show which aims super high...and shouts to the
rooftops about what young people are capable of, with support and opportunity, respect and
belief. I also want it to be a show that reflects our newly evolving multi-cultural Scotland and the
way in which Glasgow, in particular, is adapting to that. But it’s about any place dealing with a
new generation of migrant people. It’s about a fiercely defiant and united community, something
we are constantly told doesn't exist anymore. On a simpler level, it is a big, bold, pulsing musical
show, about seven feisty 15 yr old girls, trying to live, trying to grow up, and trying to work out
what they can believe in, in this world”
Cora Bissett is a Director/Actor and Artistic Director of Pachamama. Following a career in music,
she has worked extensively in theatre, TV and films including the Palme D'Or winning feature Red
Road and in David Mackenzie’ s latest feature You Instead. She won the Stage Award for Best
Actor for her role in the Traverse production of David Grieg’s hit rom-com Midsummer which
toured to Canada, the US, Brussels, Ireland and will launch an Australia wide tour at Sydney Opera
House in 2012. She won the ‘Arches Award for New Directors’ in 2008 and devised and directed
her Amada based on an Isabel Allende short story. Pachamama was launched with RoadKill at the
Edinburgh Fringe 2010 garnering 9 major awards. RoadKill has played Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paris
and has recently finished a sold out run in London in co-production with Theatre Royal Stratford
East and the Barbican.
Theatre Royal Stratford East is a producing theatre that prides itself on reflecting the concerns,
hopes and dreams of the people of East London. The theatre both inspires and is inspired by its
vibrant, diverse community in a continuous loop that draws from and engages with audiences. The
venue has always been passionate about developing new talent - encouraging writers, performers,
directors and other artists to break the mould of contemporary theatre. Theatre Royal Stratford
East also supports other arts organisations’ ambitions to produce new writing and successfully
collaborates with artists and organisations both nationally and internationally.
WORLD PREMIERE
Vox Motus and the National Theatre of Scotland
presents
Dragon
Conceived and Directed by Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison
Script by Oliver Emanuel
Touring Scotland from 15th October to 17th November 2012
Tour dates and venues to be confirmed
Press Performance 16th October 2012
The National Theatre of Scotland and Vox Motus are proud to present the world premiere of Dragon - a
brand new piece of magical theatre for families which marks the first co-production between the two
companies and which will tour in Autumn 2012.
Dragon tells the story of a twelve-year old boy whose mother has just died. There is nobody to talk to. His
Dad is working the back shift as a fireman to make ends meet, his sister swims, all the time – she is going to
qualify for the Commonwealth Games. They have recently moved to a tiny flat, that Tommy hates, in
Garnethill, where he has no friends. The adults worry about Tommy – he hasn’t cried since the day his mum
left him. But, Tommy has a secret Dragon. Terrifying but intoxicating, Tommy’s Dragon helps him find a
purpose – as the relationship grows, so do the fires that have started igniting across Garnethill.
Dragon will be staged with Vox Motus’s trademark physical performance style with original music,
puppetry, illusion and fire.
Jamie Harrison and Candice Edmunds, Artistic Directors of Vox Motus say
‘We have been dreaming about this project for years. Tommy already feels like a part of the family and
represents some of the most exposed and honest parts of ourselves. The National Theatre of Scotland really
understands and supports our vision, and having them as co-producers, means this outrageously ambitious
project now has the opportunity to flourish. We aim to make a work that is magical, touching, beautiful and
downright thrilling. We are buzzing that Tommy is going to get to meet the public, and, finally, breathe fire.’
VOX MOTUS Artistic Directors Jamie Harrison and Candice Edmunds conceive, direct and design Vox Motus’
productions and are currently working on a new co-production with the Royal Lyceum Theatre in
Edinburgh. The Infamous Brothers Davenport is a dark and magical story about two Victorian stage
illusionists which will open in January 2012. Previous productions include The Not-So-Fatal Death of
Grandpa Fredo (2011), Bright Black (2010) and the award-winning Slick (2008 – 2009). Candice and Jamie
are currently creative consultants for the Exhibition Road Festival of Culture taking place in the first nine
days of the Olympics.
tfd
First piloted in Glasgow in 2010, tfd won a Culture Sparks Audience Development Award for “Idea of the
Year”. tfd is a package of events programmed to run alongside selected National Theatre of Scotland
productions, specifically designed to bring a young audience to theatre.
Throughout 2012, all local authorities in Scotland will be offered five touring productions, each with a menu
of tfd workshops, events, talks and activities for people aged between 12 and 21.
Each event, taking the form of practical in-person sessions and digital material, offers an insight into
theatre and the business of making theatre. Events are targeted by age and include exclusive backstage
access, interviews with writers, casts, crews and creative teams, introduction to creating theatre, technical
sessions and practical workshops delivered by the National Theatre of Scotland team and artists involved in
each production.
The five productions with tfd menus in 2012 are Mr Write by Rob Drummond, Count Me In by Gary McNair,
Love Letters to the Public Transport System by Molly Taylor, The Monster in the Hall and Yellow Moon both
by David Greig.
Mr Write
Written and performed by Rob Drummond
Mr Write is a show written by Rob Drummond and the audience. He writes the script live onstage by
inviting an audience member up. He deconstructs and reconstructs aspects of their character, relationships,
likes, dislikes and events in their life. He mind maps it and then writes the script live onstage while it is
projected on to the back wall. The results are hilarious and moving and the audience leaves with a great
sense of having contributed to the creation of a unique piece of theatre. The audience member, who
becomes in effect the star of the show, leaves with a printed script and a poster of their show.
Mr Write won the Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland for Best Show for Children and Young People in
2010 and was originally present at tfd, at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow in 2010.
Count Me In
Written and performed by Gary McNair
Gary McNair attracted much critical acclaim for his most recent show Crunch at the Edinburgh Festival
Fringe this year. In Count Me In, Gary makes the complicated notion of politics and democracy an engaging
and entertaining subject and debunks many of the myths involved.
Count Me In was originally produced as part of the REVEAL season of work by emerging artists at the
Traverse Theatre in 2011.
Love Letters to the Public Transport System
Written and performed by Molly Taylor
Molly Taylor’s Love Letters To The Public Transport System is a romantic one-hour monologue, telling three
interwoven stories of lives subtly changed by journeys on buses and trains, and of Taylor’s quest for a way
to thank the bus and train drivers who have delivered her to some of the key meetings of her life.
Mr Write, Count Me In and Love Letters to the Public Transport System will be touring Scotland throughout 2012.
tfd
National Theatre of Scotland
presents the Citizens Theatre productions of
The Monster in The Hall
By David Greig
Directed by Guy Hollands
Music by Nigel Dunn and Stephen Wright
Choreography by Andrew Panton
and
Yellow Moon
By David Greig
Directed by Guy Hollands
Music by Nigel Dunn
Opening at the Citizens on the 5th September 2012 and then touring
Press Performances to be confirmed
As part of the tfd programme which aims to reach out to young people all over Scotland, the National
Theatre of Scotland and the Citizens Theatre are re-staging David Greig’s critically acclaimed productions
The Monster in the Hall and Yellow Moon in Autumn 2012 with a UK wide tour, performed by an ensemble
cast
In The Monster in the Hall teenage girl Duck Macatarsney cares for her biker dad whose MS is getting
increasingly worse. Her Dad - Duke - is a spliff-smoking, bike-riding, heavy metal and horror movie loving,
pizza eating widower who’s brought up Duck since the death of her mother. The two of them are just about
surviving when one morning the Duke wakes up blind and the Duck hears that Social Services are coming to
take her away. The Monster in the Hall follows Duck as she tries to protect her world from the terrifying
prospect of change. The Monster in the Hall won The Stage Award for Best Ensemble in 2010.
Yellow Moon is a modern Bonnie and Clyde tale of the fortunes of two teenagers on the run. Silent Leila is
an introverted girl who has a passion for celebrity magazines. Stag Lee Macalinden is the deadest of dead
end kids in a dead end town. They never meant to get mixed up in a murder. The play follows Leila and Lee
on a roller-coaster quest to find out who they really are. Yellow Moon won the TMA Award for the Best
Show for Young People in 2007.
Both productions were developed and directed by Guy Hollands at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, where
both shows premiered before touring schools and venues. The shows have been seen in the UK and
internationally, including the USA, the Netherlands and Germany.
David Greig was born in Edinburgh, studied at Bristol University and is a highly-respected playwright and
theatre director. In 1990 he co-founded Suspect Culture Theatre Group with Graham Eatough in Glasgow.
David's recent work for the National Theatre of Scotland includes Dunsinane (RSC), Peter Pan and The
Bacchae(EIF). Other theatre work includes Midsummer (Traverse Theatre and Soho Theatre), Creditors
(Donmar Warehouse and BAM) and The American Pilot (RSC, Soho and MTC).
Guy Hollands theatre credits include The Crucible (TAG/NTS), Meep and Moop, Museum of Dreams, Liar,
Yellow Moon, Ice Cream Dreams, The Visit, A Taste of Honey, Knives in Hens and The Birthday Party (TAG),
Othello, Hamlet, Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, Waiting for Godot, Nightingale and Chase, The
Fever, Nightschool and The Caretaker (Citizens Theatre), Woyzeck (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh/KtC), Pinocchio
(Visible Fictions), Earball (Tosg) and Factory Girls (7:84).
The Citizens Theatre is an iconic venue and theatre company based in the Gorbals area of Glasgow,
Scotland, led by Artistic Director Dominic Hill. The Citizens Company was founded in 1943 by James Bridie
and the Citizens Theatre was permanently established in 1945. Since then it has been one of Scotland’s
flagship producing theatres, presenting a world class repertoire based on British and foreign classics,
contemporary plays and new writing. The Theatre has a strong reputation for delivering a pioneering range
of creative participatory projects and places a special emphasis on work with children, young people and
socially excluded adults.
Supported by Bank of Scotland
FOR FURTHER PRESS INFO/IMAGES/INTERVIEWS/FOOTAGE, CONTACT:
Emma Schad, Press Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 141 227 9016/ +44 (0)7930308018 E: emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Andrew Neilson, Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 141 227 9497 / +44 (0)7912540139 E: andrew.neilson@nationaltheatrescotland.com
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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 160
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 sitespecific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests.
The company has performed to over 710,000 people, across three continents.
2. 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.
3. We would like to make a request for your support: Corporate sponsorship of the National Theatre
of Scotland is crucial to our future. As arts supporters yourselves we hope you will help us in
maintaining this important portion of our income and healthy relationships with sponsors by
mentioning them in your coverage. This makes a real difference to the National Theatre of
Scotland. Mentions are counted and used as an evaluation of projects. Please credit our sponsors.
NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND AWARDS 2011
Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2011 - Best Music and Sound: Alasdair Macrae, The Strange Undoing
of Prudencia Hart
Scotsman Fringe First 2011 - The Wheel
Herald Angel 2011 - The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart
Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award 2011 - The Wheel
Young People’s Awards Aberdeen - Arts and Culture Award for Kingsford School for Extreme
The Austin Critics’ Table Awards 2010-11 - Touring Show, Theatre, Black Watch, Texas Performing Arts
ENDS