BBC Still Game and Chewin’ the Fat actors, Greg Hemphill and Paul Riley, are to re-unite for the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of An Appointment with The Wicker Man in 2012.
The production is co-written by Donald McLeary and Greg Hemphill, who is also appearing as Lord Summerisle, and opens at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen on 21st February before touring Scotland.
Greg Hemphill and Paul Riley worked together on Chewin’ The Fat and the spin off Still Game in which Greg played Victor and Paul the part of Winston.
They will be joined on stage by Sean Biggerstaff who is known for playing Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter films and has won a Scottish BAFTA for the BBC4 film Consenting Adult.
Regularly popping up at the top of “Best Horror Film of all Time” lists, The Wicker Man is regarded as a cult film classic. An Appointment with The Wicker Man, directed by Vicky Featherstone, is an all-singing-and-dancing love letter to a unique and timeless cult masterpiece.
The full cast is Sean Biggerstaff, Jimmy Chisholm, Greg Hemphill, Johnny McKnight, Sally Reid, Paul Riley and Rosalind Sydney.
Jimmy Chisholm most recently appeared on stage in Para Handy. He has worked extensively in Scottish theatre and has appeared in a number of National Theatre of Scotland productions including The Miracle Man and Be Near Me. He is also known for his role in the film Braveheart.
Greg Hemphill is well known for playing Victor in BBC’s Still Game and for his roles in Chewin’ The Fat.
Johnny McKnight has previously worked with the National Theatre of Scotland having written, directed and appeared in Little Johnny’s Big Gay Wedding.
Sally Reid is currently appearing in Mr Merlin’s Pure Panto Magic at the Tron Theatre. Previously Sally has appeared in the National Theatre of Scotland productions of Miracle Man and Empty.
Paul Riley is best known for his role as Winston in the BBC’s Still Game. He also worked with Greg Hemphill on the sketch show Chewin’ the Fat.
Rosalind Sydney appeared in the award-winning One Thousand Paper Cranes at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, toured Italy in Interiors with Vanishing Point and was in My Romantic History with The Bush/Sheffield Crucible.
An age guide of 16+ is suggested for this production.
An Appointment with The Wicker Man is supported by Bank of Scotland Pioneering Partnership.
Donald McLeary and Greg Hemphill have been collaborating together on various film and television projects since 2007.
Their feature film project, The Sea Hag of the Western Isles, is currently in development; produced by Andrew Eaton, directed by Matt Lipsey with Robbie Coltrane and Peter Mullan attached to star. They are also developing a feature with Ecosse Films entitled Call Me Bill.
Their BBC comedy Blue Haven is scheduled to shoot in April 2012 with Brown Eyed Boy/ Kudos, with Greg and Donald in central roles. Donald writes and performs in Radio 4 comedy Fags, Mags and Bags (Best Comedy – Writers Guild Award), currently in its fifth season. He can also be seen every morning on CBeebies as Mickey John in Me Too!
Venues and Dates: His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen from 21 to 25 February 2012
Theatre Royal Glasgow from 28 February to 3 March 2012
Eden Court, Inverness from 6 to 10 March 2012
The Alhambra, Dunfermline from 21 to 24 March 2012
Opening Night Aberdeen: 22 February 2012 at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
Opening Night Glasgow: 28 February 2012 at Theatre Royal, Glasgow
For further information contact
Emma Schad, Press Manager
Tel: +44 (0)141 227 9016 / +44 (0)7930 308018 E: emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Andrew Neilson, Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0)141 227 9497 / +44 (0)7912 540139 E: andrew.neilson@nationaltheatrescotland.com
You can follow the National Theatre of Scotland’s press office on Twitter @NTS_press
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. 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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Contact: Andrew Neilson
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Email: andrew.neilson@nationaltheatrescotland.com
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