Media Release: National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch returns to Glasgow in March 2013

Black Watch 2012 05 credit Scott Suchman

THE National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Black Watch returns to Glasgow in 2013, playing at the SECC from Wednesday 28th March to Saturday 13th April, supported by ScottishPower.

Black Watch has played to sold-out houses in Glasgow on three previous occasions, at the Old Fruitmarket in 2007 and at the SECC in 2008 and 2010. The production has now played to over 212,000 people across four continents and has garnered 22 awards.

Most recently, Black Watch made its Asian debut at the National Theater of Korea, Seoul, in 2012, having previously that year toured the US, visiting Washinton DC and Chicago.

Black Watch has been showcased in festivals and venues in Australia, New Zealand, Glenrothes, Glasgow, New York, London, Toronto, Virginia, Wales, Salford, Coventry, Dublin, Los Angeles, Pitlochry, Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dingwall, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Following the Glasgow run in 2013, the production will tour to the Norwich and Norfolk Festival (17-20 April), Seattle (25 April – 5 May) and San Francisco (9 May – 16 June).

Hurtling from a pool room in Fife to an armoured wagon in Iraq, Black Watch is based on interviews by Gregory Burke with former soldiers who served in Iraq.

Viewed through the eyes of those on the ground, Black Watch reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment, what it means to be part of the war on terror and what it means to make the journey home again. John Tiffany’s production makes powerful and inventive use of movement, music and song to create a visceral, complex and urgent piece of theatre.

ScottishPower’s support of the 2013 Glasgow run of Black Watch is part of an ongoing relationship between the two companies. Most recently, ScottishPower has supported the National Theatre of Scotland projects Glasgow Girls, Reasons to Dance and Truant, with the two companies winning the Community Award at the 2013 Arts and Business Scotland Awards for their collaboration on the last two of these projects.

Ann Loughrey, head of Corporate Social Responsibility at ScottishPower, said: “We are delighted to support the National Theatre of Scotland’s Black Watch production at the SECC. It has been well received in venues across the world, and we are sure that its return to Glasgow will be a great success.”

Creative team: Directed by John Tiffany; associate director Movement – Steven Hoggett; associate director music – Davey Anderson; set designer – Laura Hopkins; costume designer – Jessica Brettle; lighting designer – Colin Grenfell; sound designer – Gareth Fry; video designers – Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer for Fifty Nine Productions Ltd.

Cast:

Stuart Martin joins the cast to play the role of Cammy, having previously played the character Nabsy on the National Theatre of Scotland’s 2010-2011 UK and international tour of Black Watch. He has also appeared on stage in the National Theatre’s productions of Kolya and Burnt By the Sun. Television credits include Taggart and Blue Haven.

Benjamin Davies joins the cast to play the role of Stewarty. He has appeared on screen in Sea of Souls and The Fast and the Furious 6, while theatre credits include F***ing Games (Royal Court), Lovely Evening (Young Vic) and Mr Placebo (Traverse).

Stephen McCole (Officer / Lord Elgin) has appeared in movies The Wee Man, Neds, The Acid House and Rushmore. Television work includes Merlin, Rebus, Band of Brothers and The Young Person’s Guide to Being a Rock Star. He has previously appeared in The Wheel and the National Theatre of Scotland’s 2012 international tour of Black Watch.

Robert Jack (Sergeant / Writer) has appeared on television in Gary: Tank Commander and Whiteout, and recent radio credits include Black Watch: 3 Scots, A War in Their Own Words and The Call of the Wild. He has appeared in a number of stage productions, including the National Theatre of Scotland’s Elgin Macbeth, Home: Caithness and the 2012 international tour of Black Watch,.

Richard Rankin (Granty) has appeared on television in Taggart and was a core member of the BBC Scotland production Burnistoun. He has appeared previously on the 2010-2011 and 2012 international tours of Black Watch.

Scott Fletcher (Kenzie) has appeared on television in Gary: Tank Commander and Taggart. His previous work with National Theatre of Scotland includes the 2010-2011 and 2012 international tours of Black Watch, Calum’s Road, Tall Tales for Small People, The Dogstone and 365.

Gavin Jon Wright (Nabsy) has appeared on screen in Rebus, Still Game and Taggart. He appeared in the National Theatre of Scotland’s 2012 international tour of Black Watch, while other theatre credits include The Last Dictator, Goldilocks and the Glasgow Fair and Whisky Galore! (A Musical).

Adam McNamara (Rossco) has appeared on television in EastEnders and Single Father. He has appeared previously on the 2010-2011 and 2012 international tours of Black Watch. Other theatre credits include Hamlet (Young Vic) and The Physicists (Donmar Warehouse). His Great Uncle served in the Black Watch.

Cameron Barnes (Macca) made his theatrical debut on the 2010-2011 international tour of Black Watch after winning an open audition. He is an award-winning bagpiper and is currently a member of the Fife Constabulary Police Pipe Band. His Grandfather served in the Black Watch.

Andrew Fraser (Fraz) recently graduated in Musical Theatre from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), where his credits included The Threepenny Opera and Tommy. He appeared on the 2012 international tour of Black Watch.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Venue info: SECC – Hall 2, Exhibition Way, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G3 8YW

Booking: 0844 395 4000 /www.ticketsoup.com. In person from the SECC Box Office (Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat 10am – 5pm)

On the day sales: A limited number of tickets for sale on the day will be made available for purchase at the venue box office. Pre-paid tickets should be collected at the venue.

Dates and Times: There will be performances at 8:00pm on Thurs 28, Fri 29, Sat 30 March, Weds 3, Thurs 4, Fri 5, Sat 6, Weds 10, Thurs 11, Fri 12 and Sat 13 April.

3:00pm matinee performances: Sat 6, Sun 7, and Sat 13 April.

No performances: Sun 31 March, Mon 1, Tues 2, Mon 8 and Tues 9 April

Press performances: Press are invited to attend the performance on Wednesday 3rd April 2013, 8pm, at SECC, Glasgow

Ticket Price: Preview £10 on Thursday 28th March. Schools £10.

There are 20 day tickets at £10 that are only available to personal callers at the box office on the day of the performance for the performances(s) that day. These are subject to availability and limited to 4 per person.

All other performances £27.50 (£15 concessions)

Running Time: 110 minutes (no interval)

Accessible Perfs:

Captioned performance on Weds 10 April

Audio described performance on Thurs 11 April

BSL performance on Fri 12 April

Age guide: suggested 16+

Refreshments: light refreshments available from the venue pre-show

Further information: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the highly physical nature of the performance, if you need to leave during the show you must be escorted by an usher. You will not be allowed to re-enter the show.

Strictly no latecomers

This production features very strong language, strobe lighting and loud sound effects

There is no interval

Advance booking for this production is highly recommended

UK and INTERNATIONAL TOURING DATES 2013

Norwich and Norfolk Festival: 17 – 20 April, 2013

Seattle: Seattle Theater Group at the Paramount, 25 April – 5 May, 2013

San Francisco: American Conservatory Theater at the Mission Armory, 9 May – 16 June, 2013

For further information contact:

Adam McDougall, Press Officer

Tel: +44 (0)141 227 9231 / +44 (0)7738 153157

E: adam.mcdougall@nationaltheatrescotland.com

Emma Schad, Press Manager

Tel: +44 (0)141 227 9016 / +44 (0)7930 308018

E: emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com

To join in the conversation about the show please use #BlackWatch

Press images:

There is a selection of images available to download from www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/press

Please do contact the Press Office for a password.

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 189 productions in 162 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 over 830,000 people across four continents.

2. ScottishPower operates and maintains an extensive power delivery network and provides energy to over 5 million homes and businesses in the UK. As part of the Iberdrola Group, it is one of the top five energy companies in the world and a global leader in wind energy. Understanding and managing the impact of their business in the community and striving for continuous improvement, is a significant part of ScottishPower’s overall approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. Between 2006 and 2010 the partnership between ScottishPower and National Theatre of Scotland has supported the creation of Transform, 15 large-scale Community projects across Scotland. And from March 2010 to March 2012 Creative Communities, three large-scale community projects across Scotland.

MEDIA RELEASE posted by the National Theatre of Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.

Contact: Adam McDougall
Phone: 01412279231
Email: adam.mcdougall@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Website: http://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com