Full cast announced for Orphans, a new Scottish musical from National Theatre of Scotland
National Theatre of Scotland is thrilled to be presenting the world premiere of Orphans, based on the much-loved cult film written and directed by Peter Mullan!
Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
First Published: 16 December 2021 13:19
Updated: 16 December 2021 13:20
National Theatre of Scotland is thrilled to be presenting the world premiere of Orphans, a darkly comic musical about family, grief and forgiveness, based on the much-loved cult film written and directed by Peter Mullan. Directed for the first time for the stage by award-winning theatre director Cora Bissett, Orphans is a big, bold Scottish musical with raucous and heartfelt songs from Glaswegian composing team Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly, ingeniously adapted for the stage by playwright Douglas Maxwell.
Orphans is set in the streets of Glasgow and will open at Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo before touring to the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh and Eden Court, Inverness with preview performances at Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock in April 2022. The production signals the welcome return of National Theatre of Scotland live performances to Scotland’s largest theatres.
Set in 1998, Orphans follows the Flynn siblings on a stormy night in Glasgow after the death of their mother. Thomas won’t leave the church, Michael is bleeding and roaming the streets, John has a gun and is set on revenge while Sheila wants to live life on her own terms. But will the siblings survive the night to get to their mother’s funeral?
Orphans (1998) was Peter Mullan’s first feature film, made in Glasgow’s Southside around the streets where he grew up. The award-winning film is now regarded as a cult classic of European cinema and secured Mullan’s career as a writer-director. He went on to write and direct The Magdalene Sisters (2002) and Neds (2010) but is also known for starring roles in television series and films including My Name is Joe, Westworld, Ozark and Mum.
Peter Mullan, writer and director of the Orphans film said: “It’s a brave and ballsy thing to do, to adapt any film and then put it on stage. The story lends itself well to being a musical because, however misplaced, however funny, it’s all about emotion. Orphans is an epic journey through the night. The thing that draws you in is the characters, how they interact and what implications there are for the world that’s around them which combine into a cauldron of craziness and hurt and grief. The idea of putting that to music made sense to me. Oh, and if you f**k it up, you’re on your own, my disclaimer is going in the programme but if it’s good, I’m taking all the credit.”
The stage musical of Orphans is brought to life by a highly talented cast.
Meet the family:
Robert Florence makes his musical theatre debut in the role of eldest brother Thomas. Robert is best known to audiences as co-creator and performer in the BBC comedy sketch show Burnistoun and he returns to our screens in 2022 in the second series of The Scotts, a BBC Scotland sitcom starring and written by the Burnistoun creators. Amy Conachan (Sheila) played Courtney Campbell in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and has previously worked with National Theatre of Scotland on Skeleton Wumman for Scenes for Survival; Reuben Joseph (Michael) previously appeared in the National Theatre of Scotland’s musical festive film Rapunzel and has recently appeared in the Almeida Theatre’s Macbeth and in BBC’s Vigil. The final family member John is played by recent graduate Dylan Wood.
Other cast and ensemble members include: Scottish stage stalwart Harry Ward (Tanga) who reunites with Cora Bissett, following his role in Cora’s What Girls Are Made Of; Amber Sylvia Edwards (Carole) who starred as Rapunzel in National Theatre of Scotland’s musical festive film Rapunzel and is currently touring the UK in Dirty Dancing; Louise McCarthy (Mrs Hanson) worked with National Theatre of Scotland in its co-production with Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, My Left Right Foot, is well known as one half of the comedy duo The Dolls and will be co-starring alongside Robert Florence in the second series of BBC Scotland sitcom The Scotts in 2022; John McLarnon (Jacko) who also appeared in My Left Right Foot, Local Hero (Royal Lyceum Theatre and The Old Vic) and recently collaborated on The 3M Mixtape for Dundee Rep; Patricia Panther (Sara), appeared recently in Hannah Lavery’s Lament for Sheku Bayoh for National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and Edinburgh International Festival and previously worked with Cora Bissett on the musical Glasgow Girls; Paul McCole (Frank) known to screen audiences for his roles in Still Game, Limmy’s Show and Sunshine on Leith and previously worked with the National Theatre of Scotland on The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart; Martin Quinn (Seamus) made his stage debut playing Oskar for National Theatre of Scotland’s Let The Right One In and can be seen in the film Our Ladies (Sigma Films); Chloe Hodgson (Bernadette) who is making her National Theatre of Scotland debut in the production and Betty Valencia (Ann-Marie) currently appearing in Cinderella at Perth Theatre, with previous appearances in WeCameToDance (Food Tank), The Last Bus (Hurricane Films) and This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (Stellar Quines, Imaginate).
Cora Bissett director of Orphans said: “Orphans is for me, and a secret legion of devotees, the quintessential cult Scottish film and bringing it to the stage now, in this new musical version, couldn’t be more timely. Over the last 18 months we have lost family, jobs, relationships, health and…. hope, and in some ways we are just finding it again. This musical is about raw grief, and the madness that lies within that. The emotions are epic and messy and the songs raucous, and heart aching. It’s for people who think they hate musicals but love a great story, and for musical lovers who would like to see a musical rooted firmly in a world that feels like theirs. I am thrilled Peter Mullan has allowed us to re-imagine this Scottish classic with an incredible team of creative collaborators and a brilliant new generation of actors.”
The music for Orphans is created by independent Glasgow-based artists Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly. Together they have written the score for the film, Our Ladies, the music and lyrics for the zombie comedy film Anna and the Apocalypse, and for Steven Spielberg’s revival of Animaniacs winning a Daytime Emmy award for Best Original Song for an Animation.
Douglas Maxwell is one of Scotland’s leading playwrights. His previous work with National Theatre of Scotland includes the short film Fatbaws for Scenes for Survival, performed and directed by Peter Mullan and Yer Granny. Douglas’s recent work includes I Can Go Anywhere (Traverse Theatre), Charlie Sonata (Royal Lyceum Theatre) and Fever Dream: Southside for the Citizens Theatre.
Cora Bissett is an acclaimed Glasgow-based director, actor and writer. Her first production Roadkill, created with writer Stef Smith, won nine major awards and an Olivier award for Outstanding Production. She is an Associate Director with the National Theatre of Scotland and her productions include the hit musical Glasgow Girls, Adam and Rites. Cora recently wrote and performed her own autobiographical story, What Girls Are Made Of (Traverse Theatre/Raw Material). The award-winning gig theatre production toured internationally She also recently co-directed Adam for the National Theatre of Scotland, Hopscotch Films, BBC Scotland and BBC Arts which won a Scottish BAFTA for Best Scripted TV.
Cast and creative biogs can be found on the National Theatre of Scotland website.
A National Theatre of Scotland production based on the Film ORPHANS written and directed by Peter Mullan © Channel Four Television Corporation and the Glasgow Film Fund 1997.
Join the conversation #NTSOrphans
Touring to Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock (Previews 1 & 2 April 2022) SEC Armadillo, Glasgow (6 to 9 April 2022) King’s Theatre, Edinburgh (12 to 16 April 2022) and Eden Court, Inverness (26 to 30 April 2022)
Visit nationaltheatrescotland.com for full details!
Image Credit: Peter Dibdin
Latest Lanarkshire News
Green Space Dark Skies announces Ben Nevis as Scottish location in Finale Event
On Saturday 10 September, Ben Nevis in the Glen Coe National Scenic Area (NSA) will provide the backdrop to the last Scottish Green Space Dark Skies outdoor artworks.
Finalists Revealed for The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022
Over 75 leading finalists have been revealed today for The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022.
Cumbernauld Theatre Trust announces its Autumn & Winter season
Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse today announces its autumn/winter season, with tickets now on sale!
Green Space Dark Skies: The team of artists working with local communities to bring events to life
Green Space Dark Skies, produced by Walk the Plank and commissioned by UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, has revealed the artists who will bring Scotland's August events to life!
Conifox Adventure Park officially breaks world record for the Longest Inflatable Assault Course
Conifox Adventure Park has today confirmed that they have officially broken a world record for the longest inflatable assault course which sits at a mammoth 568 metres.
Irn Bru launches Sunshine Service
From the Costa Del Leith to the Clyde Riviera, IRN-BRU is set to deliver deckchairs and ice-cold cans to Scottish sun-seekers!
Just over 24 hours left to submit your Scottish Album of the Year
Fans, artists and music labels have just over 24 hours left to submit their favourite Scottish album from the past year for this year's SAY Award.
Salon owners receive honour at Investiture
Alan and Linda Stewart, Co-Owners of Scotland’s largest salon group and multi award winners, Rainbow Room International have received their OBE Award for Services to Hairdressing.
Scottish Album fo the Year opens for eligible album submissions today
Today, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award returns for 2022, calling on artists, labels and music fans to submit eligible albums – for free.
Green Space Dark Skies announces Orkney Mainland and North Ronaldsay as new event locations
Green Space Dark Skies, led by Walk the Plank as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, has announcing two new locations for this unique project.
Commemorative 20th anniversary calendar now on sale
To commemorate its 20th anniversary and raise funds for the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat, Loch Lomond Shores has produced a calendar that runs from June 2022 to May 2023.
Scots Language Makeover for Loved Literature
In celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, Visit Scotland has teamed up with Scots expert and writer Alistair Heather to translate the first lines of some of the world’s most popular books
The Snooker Scottish Open Heads To Edinburgh
The Meadowbank Sports Centre will welcome the best snooker players on the planet later this year when the Scottish Open comes to Edinburgh.
Border Biscuits sponsors DINOmite Jurassic Lanark community event
Jurassic Lanark has revealed there is a 'roarsome' new pack of dinosaurs roaming Scotland!
LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical comes to Lanark!
Lanark Amateur Musical Society have announced their 2023 production as the broadway-smash LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical, taking place in Lanark Memorial Hall in March!
Jane Spiers announced as new Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland
The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to announce that Jane Spiers will be taking up the role of Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland’s board, commencing in September 2022.
Communities across the country celebrate the biggest ever Make Music Day UK
More than 70 events will take place across Scotland on 21st June to mark the global annual celebration of music!
Summerfest... let the celebrations begin!
Summer 2022 marks the 20th birthday of Loch Lomond Shores and they're celebrating in style with a brand-new FREE festival called Summerfest on the 2nd and 3rd July!
Ukrainian opera singer helps launch Refugee Festival Scotland
A Ukrainian opera singer is among the performers launching Refugee Festival Scotland – a unique celebration of refugee arts and culture coming to towns and cities across the country.
Doune Castle reopens to visitors
One of Scotland's most iconic heritage attractions and star of hit TV series Outlander, Doune Castle, has reopened to the public.
Meet former Scotland players Derek Ferguson and Frank McAvennie
Hot on the heels on Scotland playing the Republic of Ireland this weekend, former Scottish football players Derek Ferguson and Frank McAvennie will be appearing at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park!
Gilded Balloon Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Showcasing a captivating mix of acts by fresh and accomplished talent, the Gilded Balloon is returning this August with a big, bold programme of outstanding entertainment!
HES seeks views on listing of Alasdair Gray mural at Palacerigg
Artwork by renowned artist and writer Alasdair Gray at Palacerigg is being considered for listed status.
Who will be crowned the top cocktail bar in Scotland
As the country heads out to enjoy the Queen's Jubilee long weekend, punters are being asked to nominate and 'crown' Scotland's very best cocktail bars.
Boost for communities as Scottish heritage projects are awarded funding
£142,040 has been awarded to 11 heritage projects as part of the Historic Environment Support Fund, administered by HES.
Youth Music Initiative celebrates 20 years and incredible achievements from the past two decades
YMI Programme has delivered a staggering increase in children's engagement with music across Scotland.
Can you help people living with chest, heart & stroke conditions across Scotland
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is calling for people in the local community to become Collection Can Volunteers to help raise vital funds.
All Aboard for Bookbug Week 2022!
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will host Bookbug Week from Monday 16 May – Sunday 22 May.
Scottish hospitality Oscars on hunt to find the best loved pubs in Scotland
Scotland's longest-running licensed trade awards - dubbed the hospitality Oscars, have launched their search to find Scotland's top pubs and best-loved bars today.
ALDI Scotland is bringing a Scottish twist to Cinco De Mayo
Aldi Scotland has taken a Scottish twist on a family favourite for any Cinco De Mayo parties this weekend by creating none other than hearty, haggis fajitas.
Sponsored Links
