New Scottish musical Orphans based on Peter Mullan film to tour Scotland in April

New Scottish musical Orphans is to tour Scotland this April.

Based on the film of the same name written and directed by Peter Mullan, Orphans features music and lyrics by Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly with a book by Douglas Maxwell

The world premiere production from National Theatre of Scotland will be directed by Cora Bissett and tour from 1 to 30 April, opening at Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo and visiting King’s Theatre, Edinburgh and Eden Court, Inverness, with previews at Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock.

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?

The cast is made up of Amy Conachan, Amber Sylvia Edwards, Robert Florence, Chloe Hodgson, Reuben Joseph, Louise McCarthy, John McLarnon, Patricia Panther, Paul McCole, Martin Quinn, Betty Valencia, Harry Ward and Dylan Wood.

The creative team is completed by set and costume designer Emily James, sound designer Pippa Murphy, lighting designer Lizzie Powell, cultural consultant Kerry Michael, assistant director Niloo-Far Khan, movement director Vicki Manderson, associate movement director Jade Adamson, associate musical director Shonagh Murray and BSL Performance Interpreters Catherine King and Yvonne Strain.

For more information, dates and tickets, visit nationaltheatrescotland.com

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.”