A new stage musical of the iconic Scottish film Restless Natives is to run at Perth Theatre from Thursday 24 April until Saturday 10 May before heading out on tour of selected Scottish venues including the Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, Eden Court Empire Theatre, Inverness and Glasgow’s King’s Theatre.
Produced and directed by the same team who made the original 1985 film alongside co-producers Perth Theatre, Restless Natives: The Musical sees iconic characters the Clown and the Wolfman ride again in a new full stage musical continuing the enduring legacy of one of the films that paved the way for a boom of Scottish cinema.
Intrepid underdogs Ronnie and Will become Highland Highwaymen, holding up buses and winning international renown, fleecing tourists with charm and panache. Tour guide Margot believes these Robin Hood heroes can restore national pride, but the police are closing in. Will this be the end of the story – or the beginning of a legend?
Writers Ninian Dunnett, Michael Hoffman and Andy Paterson, with composer Tim Sutton, deliver a not-to-be-missed production inspired by Big Country songs and themes, designed to delight devotees of the original – and capture the hearts of a new generation.
This major new musical was announced by Big Country at their Return to Steeltown 40th anniversary gig in Perth Concert Hall on Friday 22 November with a specially created segment featuring Restless Natives cast member Kirsty MacLaren and an ensemble of voices from UHI Perth’s Musical Theatre course.
Big Country’s Bruce Watson said, ‘In 1984 we recorded our second album, Steeltown – and started work on Restless Natives. The film has always been a big part of our lives and we love this new stage musical version.’
Ninian Dunnett added, “Big Country were so much of the magic of the film from the start, and to be with them again, launching a fantastic new version of our story for the 21st century – that’s a dream come true.”
Tour dates are Perth Theatre, Perth, 24 April-10 May | Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling 14-17 May | His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, 21-24 May | Eden Court Empire Theatre, Inverness, 29 May-1 June | King’s Theatre, Glasgow 24-28 June.
Tickets here.
