THE CHEVIOT, THE STAG AND THE BLACK, BLACK OIL Written by John McGrath Directed by Joe Douglas
DIRECTOR’S NOTE I believe that witnessing The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil can inspire genuine, lasting change. What John McGrath and his extraordinary young ensemble achieved in 1973 has had a lasting impact, on generations of Scottish theatre artists and on the country at large. The message spread far and wide – not only through the broadcast on the BBC’s Play for Today but through the hard work and dedication of their packed touring schedule. The mother of Calum MacDonald, our Gaelic performer, vividly remembers watching original cast member Dolina Maclennan sing the songs of her people in her own language in her school hall at the Nicholson Institute in Stornaway. 45 years on, her son plays an integral role in this revival. The time for this play to speak once again and help shift the consciousness has arrived. Our script updates reframe the debate to include the most pressing emergency facing us all, the
This tour is presented by National Theatre of Scotland in association with Dundee Rep Theatre and Live Theatre, Newcastle and based on the 2015 production by Dundee Rep Theatre.
Climate Emergency that was recently declared by the Scottish Government. Unfettered capitalism cannot save us and we must now find a new way to live for the survival of our species. This play nudges us towards the right direction. ‘The people must own the land.’
Joe Douglas Director The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil Artistic Director of Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil was given its first public airing at the ‘What Kind of Scotland?’ conference in Edinburgh on 31 March 1973, and first performed in Aberdeen at the Arts Centre, then throughout the seven crofting counties and many places in the south of Scotland.
CREATIVE TEAM John McGrath Writer Joe Douglas Director Graham McLaren Designer MJ McCarthy Composer and Sound Designer Alasdair Macrae Musical Director Christina Gordon Band Leader Kate Bonney Lighting Designer Jo Rush Associate Director Calum Paterson Associate Sound Designer Laura Donnelly, CDG Casting Director Ros Steen Voice Director
PRODUCTION TEAM Ali Low Production Manager Mickey Graham Company Stage Manager Jon Meggat Technical Stage Manager Calum Paterson Technical Stage Manager Emma Clifton Costume Supervisor Rebecca Clark Touring Front of House Manager Kirsty Glover Scenic Artist
ACCESS Catherine King Performance Interpreter (BSL) A list of the National Theatre of Scotland staff involved in this and all productions can be found here: nationaltheatrescotland.com/about/contact-us
ND S SLA OR
KN
EY I
CANADA
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Strathnaver
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SUTHERLAND Dunrobin Castle
HE B
Carol Anderson Stephen Bangs Jo Freer Christina Gordon Reuben Joseph Calum MacDonald Billy Mack
KEY LOCATIONS IN THE CHEVIOT...
OU TER
PERFORMERS
Braes Inverness ISLE OF SKYE Aberdeen
Dundee
Glasgow
Edinburgh
WITH THANKS TO: Cait Irvine, Lana Pheutan and Katie James.
JOHN MCGRATH John McGrath was born in Merseyside, 1935, of an Irish immigrant family and brought up in North Wales. His first plays were performed when he was at Oxford. After The Tent was presented at the Royal Court, John spent several years in television, writing and directing. He directed the first episode of Z-Cars, which ran for seventeen years. Much of his writing and directing in television was experimental and he made many documentaries on film and video. He wrote over forty stage plays and in 1971 he founded the 7:84 Theatre Company (so called because John had read that 84% of Britain’s wealth was owned by just 7% of the population), which he led for seventeen years.
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FREE Post Show Talks Meet The Director & Cast Sun 16 June (after 4pm show) FREE with a ticket for that performance. How the play uses history to think about the future with Dr Anne Tindley from Newcastle University. Tues 18 June (after 7.30pm show) FREE with a ticket for that performance. Post show talks are recorded and available to listen again at www.live.org.uk/talks
There are many ways to support and be part of our work creating vital, dynamic theatre. Join us and help us achieve our ambition. To learn more, please visit: nationaltheatrescotland.com/support To speak to us about the opportunities available, contact: Adam McDougall, Development Manager T: 0141 221 0970 E: adam.mcdougall@nationaltheatrescotland.com
SUPPORT LIVE THEATRE Your donation helps Live Theatre bring worldclass theatre like The Cheviot, The Stag and The Black, Black Oil to Live Theatre to the North East. Thanks to the support of donors like you, we’re ensuring that Newcastle upon Tyne remains a thriving hub for culture for years to come. Whisky Tasting with Artistic Director, Joe Douglas Fri 5 July, 7pm – 9pm Take a tasting tour of the whiskies from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland with Live Theatre’s Artistic Director, Joe Douglas inspired by locations mentioned in hit play The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil. Five tasting whiskies provided, crackers and snacks plus some good craic. Ages: 18+ ID required Tickets: £25 Available via Box Office in person or by phone (0191) 232 1232. COPYRIGHT 2019 NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND. The National Theatre of Scotland, a company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland (SC234270), is a registered Scottish charity (SCO33377). Photography byTommy Ga Ken Wan. Live Theatre is the trading name of North East Theatre Trust, a registered charity number 513771
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