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
Enjoy a fun winter day out in Lanarkshire with a Great Days Out offer from VisitScotland
VisitScotland are offering 50% off selected tours and attractions in Lanarkshire until the 18th of February, encouraging you to have more winter days out!
Celebrate Veganuary with Vegan Biscoff Crunch Ice Cream, available only at VEGA
A real treat awaits vegans exclusively at VEGA... Scottish luxury ice cream maker Equi's all-new 100% Vegan Biscoff Crunch Ice Cream!
Casting announcement for The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
National Theatre of Scotland announce casting for The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Live at Leith Theatre and streaming to UK cinemas from February 2022.
BRUber Eats
First-ever IRN-BRU restaurant launches to deliver BRU-nique Burns Supper to your door!
Reset and Renew this Winter with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
After another challenging year, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is giving people something to smile about with a massive 30% discount on overnight stays!
Albert Bartlett serving up free sports sessions in Lanarkshire for those keen to get fighting fit in the New Year
Potato brand Albert Bartlett is on a mission to help the people of Lanarkshire get fighting fit by offering free sports sessions across the local area!
Loch Lomond New Year Dook becomes Spring Swim
The Spring Swim, formerly The New Year Dook, will now take place on the first day of Spring – the 20th of March at Loch Lomond Shores!
Getting your garden in top shape this winter, with Dobbies
With January now in full swing, the New Year brings a fresh start for all, including in our gardens.
Loch Lomond New Year Dook postponed due to COVID concerns
The New Year Dook set to take place on the 2nd of January at Loch Lomond Shores is to be postponed until later in 2022.
Aldi Scotland is bringing back its New Year Socks Appeal for a second consecutive year
Aldi Scotland has launched its ‘Not Socks Again?!’ campaign for the second year running, following its widespread success in 2021, which saw more than 2000 pairs of socks donated to good causes.
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!
Charity Status for Paws on Plastic
It’s paw-fficial! Litterpicking Dog Owners group, Paws on Plastic, is awarded Scottish charity status.
Start the New Year IN Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Shores, in association with Protay and Inchbaggers, is hosting a New Year Dook on January 2nd and is shouting out to all those brave enough to bring in 2022 with a 'dook' in Loch Lomond!
The story unfolds...
Book festivals, musical journeys, favourite cartoon characters and fresh takes on our culture and heritage, will form part of a dazzling programme of events to celebrate Scotland's Year of Stories!
Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes and Drums release charity single
The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Pipes and Drums have released a stunning rendition of the tune 'The Heroes of St Valery' with proceeds going to charity.
Presentation to Primary School who topped the total and average leaderboards in the recent Beat the Street North Lanarkshire game
Organisers of the recent Beat the Street challenge presented St Teresa's Primary School with their prizes for their incredible performance in the game.
Scottish jazz talent honoured at annual awards
The exceptional talent within Scotland's burgeoning jazz scene was celebrated at the 9th Scottish Jazz Awards.
Beat the Street Cambuslang and Rutherglen winners presented with their prizes
Organisers of the recent Beat the Street Cambuslang and Rutherglen game presented a cheque for £500 to Kilbryde Hospice as part of a wider celebration event for the winners of the challenge!
Annual fundraiser aiming to provide over 100,000 meals to homeless people launches
itison have launched their annual Social Bite fundraiser where you can donate £5 to buy a meal for the homeless this Christmas.
Great Scottish Run Balck Friday Offer
Great Scottish Run have announced their Greatest Black Friday deal and this is one you don't want to miss!
Out East Festival announces epic line up
Today, organisers of Out East Festival have announced the musical line-up for 2022’s family-friendly extravaganza in Dalkeith Country Park.
The 29th French Film Festival UK adds online section
The organisers of the French Film Festival UK are delighted to reveal an exciting new edition of the online programme which will run from Friday 3rd to Sunday 12th December.
Win a coaching session with Scottish rugby international Hamish Watson
Entries are now open to junior teams across Scotland to win the chance to be put through their paces by Scotland international Hamish Watson at DAM Health Stadium in 2022.
Make it Maldron this panto season
After last year's postponement, Scotland's biggest pantomime is back, and to celebrate, the city's newest hotel Maldron Hotel Glasgow City, has announced a special Theatre package offer!
Connect Music Festival set for 2022 reboot
DF Concerts & Events have announced an exciting new addition to the festival calendar - Connect, which will take place between 26th-28th August 2022!
Rutherglen shopper scoops over 900 pounds for local foodbank at Aldi Supermarket Sweep
The winner of Aldi's Supermarket Sweep in Rutherglen has raised an amazing £931.32 for a local foodbank, while picking up over £465 in Aldi favourites for herself.
IRN BRU Carnival celebrates one month until launch!
The IRN-BRU Carnival celebrates its return to the SEC with one month to go until doors open on Europe's largest indoor funfair!
Quarriers launches box of hope appeal to support homeless young people
Quarriers is appealing for donations to help homeless young people across Scotland to receive a gift over the festive period.
Virtual Christmas styling tips event with Dobbies
Dobbies' Style Expert, Rebecca Stanton, will host a free virtual event to get customers in the festive spirit with a Christmas Your Way live decoration demonstration.
IRN BRU Carnival launches search for ambassadors
Five Carnival super fans will get unlimited access to the biggest show in town!
Sponsored Links
