Sunshine on Leith News
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Sunshine on Leith to be Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s dazzling Winter Production
- A brand-new production of Sunshine on Leith to play at Pitlochry Festival Theatre this winter.
- The production will be directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman.
- Featuring the songs of the much-loved Scottish band The Proclaimers and made into a hugely successful British film in 2013.
- Production running from 17 November – 23 December.
- Tickets go on general sale from Wednesday 17 May.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is excited to announce Sunshine on Leith, Stephen Greenhorn’s much-loved musical featuring the songs from world-renowned Scottish band The Proclaimers, is set to play in Pitlochry this Winter.
Sunshine on Leith sees the return of service members Davy and Ally from war overseas, to be confronted with civilian life relationships, blind dates, and new responsibilities. As the pair embark on intertwining journeys of love, they begin to question what home really means to them as they rediscover their sense of identity.
Set to the classic songs of the much-loved The Proclaimers, including “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), “Letter from America” and of course the emotive “Sunshine on Leith”, this feel-good Scottish musical asks the question, would you walk 500 miles for love?
Sunshine on Leith was originally staged at Dundee Rep in 2007 before being transformed into the 2013 smash hit feature film adaptation starring Jane Horrocks and Peter Mullan.
The production‘s exciting cast will feature Finlay Bain (Trainspotting Live, Seabright Productions, Black Watch, National Theatre of Scotland tour, The Straw Chair, Finborough Theatre and the lead in the feature film Meet you in Scotland, Reel One Entertainment) as Ally; Robbie Scott (Peter Pan and Wendy and Group Portrait in a Summer Landscape, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Davy, Sinead Kenny (My Fair Lady, London Coliseum, and UK tours of Aladdin, Rock of Ages, 9-5, West Side Story and Annie) as Yvonne; Keith Macpherson (Stan and Ollie, BBC Films and A Streetcar Named Desire, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Rab, Scottish singer Alyson Orr (Sunshine on Leith, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Rikki and Me, Scottish tour) as Jean; Jessica Dives ( A Christmas Carol, Shakespeare North Playhouse) as Eilidh; Fiona Wood (Peter Pan and Wendy, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Liz; and Charlotte Grayson (Lord of the Rings, Watermill Theatre and A Christmas Carol, Dundee Rep) as Hazel.
The cast is completed by Trudy Ward (Gypsy and To the Bone, Pitlochry Festival Theatre); Jake Reynolds (currently appearing as Doody in the West End production of Grease) and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduates Callum Marshall (Sunshine on Leith, UK tour and A Christmas Carol, Bolton Octagon) and James Dawoud (Aladdin, Beacon Arts Centre).
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman said:
“We are thrilled to announce that we are creating a brand-new version of Sunshine on Leith to entertain audiences this Christmas. After the hugely successful sold-out production that we made with Capital Theatres last summer we couldn’t resist the chance to make a new production for audiences this Festive Season to celebrate the greatest and most loved Scottish musical by Stephen Greenhorn. Once again, Stephen will be joining me in rehearsals along with a cracking company of actors who’ll be singing their hearts out to the awesome Proclaimers classic hit songs.”
Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said:
“We’re super excited that Sunshine on Leith, which we co-produced with Pitlochry Festival Theatre last year, is returning to the stage this winter in Pitlochry. Sunshine on Leith holds a particular significance for us at Capital Theatres as it was the final King’s Theatre show before closing to start its transformational redevelopment and sits at the heart of our aim to support Scotland’s theatre community in developing new and exciting projects for the benefit of audiences across Scotland. This new production, directed by the hugely talented Elizabeth Newman, will bring absolute joy and musical delight to many this winter.”
Playwright Stephen Greenhorn added:
“I’m thrilled that Sunshine in Leith will be returning to Pitlochry Festival Theatre later this year. Their production was simply joyous, and I can’t wait to see it again.”
Originally conceived last year in partnership with Capital Theatres, Sunshine on Leith will run at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 17 November till 23 December.
Further information about casting will be announced in the coming months.
Tickets for the Pitlochry Festival Theatre production of Sunshine on Leith are available from the box office on 01796 484626 or online at www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
-Ends-
For all press interviews please contact Duncan Clarke PR:
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NOTES TO EDITORS
PRESS NIGHT:
Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 November at 2pm & Friday 24 November at 7pm
CREATIVES
Pitlochry Festival Theatre presents
SUNSHINE ON LEITH
A Musical written by Stephen Greenhorn
Featuring the songs of The Proclaimers
Directed by Elizabeth Newman
New Musical Arrangements by David Shrubsole
Original production at Dundee Rep on 18th April 2007
Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International
LISTINGS
AUDITORIUM
November
2pm – 18, 22-26, 29 -30
7pm – 17, 18, 24 & 25
December
2pm – 1, 2, 3, 6- 10, 13 -17, 20-23
7pm – 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23
Tickets: From £16-42
Tickets go on general sale from Wed 17 May
Box Office and group bookings: 01796 484626
email boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Pitlochry Festival Theatre. A Theatre for Everyone. A Theatre for a Lifetime.
Since 1951, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has been the artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire. Attracting over 100,000 visitors every year, we are more than simply a place to come and see a show – we are Scotland’s leading producer of musical theatre, a champion of ensemble practice and the country’s only rurally-located, major arts organisation. Our vision is to improve lives by sharing Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry, and our aim is to create life-enhancing experiences in our Theatre its and environment – a glorious eleven-acre campus that encompasses the magical Explorers Garden. In everything we do, we are committed to nurturing an exciting creative and cultural future for Scotland.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is supported by funding from Creative Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council. It is also grateful to the many individual donors, trusts and foundations who continue to support the Theatre in its vision.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Address: Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port Na Craig, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5DR
Box Office and group bookings: boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Capital Theatres
Capital Theatres presents world-class shows to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages.
Our three venues; Festival Theatre (1,915 seats), King’s Theatre (1,300 seats) and The Studio (155 seats) host over 700 performances each year with a broad and inclusive programme featuring the very best in drama, dance, musical theatre, live music, comedy and pantomime.
In the last year alone we have staged a series of co-productions including James IV – Queen of the Fight, Sunshine on Leith and festive early years commissions, including, The Enormous Christmas Turnip, and The Gift and The Unexpected Gift with Barrowland Ballet, an inclusive piece for young people with complex needs. Our new artist development strand is being piloted called Open@The Studio.
Much of our programme is exclusive to our venues in Scotland, providing the only opportunity for audiences to see the biggest shows touring north of the border, the best in international contemporary dance and the latest productions from leading local and national companies.
We support access to the arts for everyone and have an extensive creative engagement programme of talks, workshops and events to introduce and develop engagement and interest in the heritage of our buildings and all areas of live performance.
We are a registered Scottish charity (SC018605) and our theatres, and our programme are supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is supported by the following organisations:
