Full cast announced for Orphans, a new Scottish musical from National Theatre of Scotland
National Theatre of Scotland is thrilled to be presenting the world premiere of Orphans, based on the much-loved cult film written and directed by Peter Mullan!
Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
Last Updated: 16 December 2021 13:20
National Theatre of Scotland is thrilled to be presenting the world premiere of Orphans, a darkly comic musical about family, grief and forgiveness, based on the much-loved cult film written and directed by Peter Mullan. Directed for the first time for the stage by award-winning theatre director Cora Bissett, Orphans is a big, bold Scottish musical with raucous and heartfelt songs from Glaswegian composing team Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly, ingeniously adapted for the stage by playwright Douglas Maxwell.
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?
Orphans (1998) was Peter Mullan’s first feature film, made in Glasgow’s Southside around the streets where he grew up. The award-winning film is now regarded as a cult classic of European cinema and secured Mullan’s career as a writer-director. He went on to write and direct The Magdalene Sisters (2002) and Neds (2010) but is also known for starring roles in television series and films including My Name is Joe, Westworld, Ozark and Mum.
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.”
The stage musical of Orphans is brought to life by a highly talented cast.
Meet the family:
Robert Florence makes his musical theatre debut in the role of eldest brother Thomas. Robert is best known to audiences as co-creator and performer in the BBC comedy sketch show Burnistoun and he returns to our screens in 2022 in the second series of The Scotts, a BBC Scotland sitcom starring and written by the Burnistoun creators. Amy Conachan (Sheila) played Courtney Campbell in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and has previously worked with National Theatre of Scotland on Skeleton Wumman for Scenes for Survival; Reuben Joseph (Michael) previously appeared in the National Theatre of Scotland’s musical festive film Rapunzel and has recently appeared in the Almeida Theatre’s Macbeth and in BBC’s Vigil. The final family member John is played by recent graduate Dylan Wood.
Other cast and ensemble members include: Scottish stage stalwart Harry Ward (Tanga) who reunites with Cora Bissett, following his role in Cora’s What Girls Are Made Of; Amber Sylvia Edwards (Carole) who starred as Rapunzel in National Theatre of Scotland’s musical festive film Rapunzel and is currently touring the UK in Dirty Dancing; Louise McCarthy (Mrs Hanson) worked with National Theatre of Scotland in its co-production with Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, My Left Right Foot, is well known as one half of the comedy duo The Dolls and will be co-starring alongside Robert Florence in the second series of BBC Scotland sitcom The Scotts in 2022; John McLarnon (Jacko) who also appeared in My Left Right Foot, Local Hero (Royal Lyceum Theatre and The Old Vic) and recently collaborated on The 3M Mixtape for Dundee Rep; Patricia Panther (Sara), appeared recently in Hannah Lavery’s Lament for Sheku Bayoh for National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and Edinburgh International Festival and previously worked with Cora Bissett on the musical Glasgow Girls; Paul McCole (Frank) known to screen audiences for his roles in Still Game, Limmy’s Show and Sunshine on Leith and previously worked with the National Theatre of Scotland on The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart; Martin Quinn (Seamus) made his stage debut playing Oskar for National Theatre of Scotland’s Let The Right One In and can be seen in the film Our Ladies (Sigma Films); Chloe Hodgson (Bernadette) who is making her National Theatre of Scotland debut in the production and Betty Valencia (Ann-Marie) currently appearing in Cinderella at Perth Theatre, with previous appearances in WeCameToDance (Food Tank), The Last Bus (Hurricane Films) and This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (Stellar Quines, Imaginate).
Cora Bissett director of Orphans said: “Orphans is for me, and a secret legion of devotees, the quintessential cult Scottish film and bringing it to the stage now, in this new musical version, couldn’t be more timely. Over the last 18 months we have lost family, jobs, relationships, health and…. hope, and in some ways we are just finding it again. This musical is about raw grief, and the madness that lies within that. The emotions are epic and messy and the songs raucous, and heart aching. It’s for people who think they hate musicals but love a great story, and for musical lovers who would like to see a musical rooted firmly in a world that feels like theirs. I am thrilled Peter Mullan has allowed us to re-imagine this Scottish classic with an incredible team of creative collaborators and a brilliant new generation of actors.”
The music for Orphans is created by independent Glasgow-based artists Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly. Together they have written the score for the film, Our Ladies, the music and lyrics for the zombie comedy film Anna and the Apocalypse, and for Steven Spielberg’s revival of Animaniacs winning a Daytime Emmy award for Best Original Song for an Animation.
Douglas Maxwell is one of Scotland’s leading playwrights. His previous work with National Theatre of Scotland includes the short film Fatbaws for Scenes for Survival, performed and directed by Peter Mullan and Yer Granny. Douglas’s recent work includes I Can Go Anywhere (Traverse Theatre), Charlie Sonata (Royal Lyceum Theatre) and Fever Dream: Southside for the Citizens Theatre.
Cora Bissett is an acclaimed Glasgow-based director, actor and writer. Her first production Roadkill, created with writer Stef Smith, won nine major awards and an Olivier award for Outstanding Production. She is an Associate Director with the National Theatre of Scotland and her productions include the hit musical Glasgow Girls, Adam and Rites. Cora recently wrote and performed her own autobiographical story, What Girls Are Made Of (Traverse Theatre/Raw Material). The award-winning gig theatre production toured internationally She also recently co-directed Adam for the National Theatre of Scotland, Hopscotch Films, BBC Scotland and BBC Arts which won a Scottish BAFTA for Best Scripted TV.
Cast and creative biogs can be found on the National Theatre of Scotland website.
A National Theatre of Scotland production based on the Film ORPHANS written and directed by Peter Mullan © Channel Four Television Corporation and the Glasgow Film Fund 1997.
Join the conversation #NTSOrphans
Touring to Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock (Previews 1 & 2 April 2022) SEC Armadillo, Glasgow (6 to 9 April 2022) King’s Theatre, Edinburgh (12 to 16 April 2022) and Eden Court, Inverness (26 to 30 April 2022)
Visit nationaltheatrescotland.com for full details!
Image Credit: Peter Dibdin
Sponsored Links
Latest Lanarkshire News
Foodies alert! Loch Lomond Springfest is back
Loch Lomond Springfest, one of Scotland's biggest FREE food festivals, is back on the 5th and 6th April at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has curated a unique experience to help guests unwind
To mark World Sleep Day, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is introducing the Sleep Retreat Essential Spa Break, designed to help guests prioritise rest and relaxation.
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival has all the ingredients for the perfect foodie day out!
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next month and looks set to be the biggest yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before.
READ MORE
Visitors to celebrate 2,000 years of history at summer events
Over 2,000 years of history will be celebrated this summer as Historic Environment Scotland announces its 2025 summer events programme!
READ MORE
Spring celebrations at New Lanark
Spring is a time for new beginnings, and there's no better place to celebrate the season than at New Lanark, one of Scotland’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
READ MORE
Lanarkshire pupils celebrate World Book Day with visit from award winning author Angela Proctor
Pupils at St Elizabeth's Primary School enjoyed a reading session and interactive workshop with the Thumble Tumble writer.
READ MORE
Come and experience the Ideal Home Show Scotland this Spring!
Get ready, Scotland! Ideal Home Show Scotland sponsored by EcoFlow is back at Glasgow's SEC from 23rd - 26th May 2025 and we're delighted to offer free tickets to our followers!
READ MORE
Cineworld brings back IMAX Film Fest
Cineworld, the UK's leading cinema chain, will be holding its eighth annual IMAX Film Fest on Saturday 15th March, with tickets on sale for only £5!
READ MORE
Discover the best of Belfast on a day trip from Scotland
A beautiful city with a rich history, high street favourites, independent boutiques and a giant adventure to explore around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible experiences to be had!
READ MORE
Dobbies welcomes applications for community gardens initiative
Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming applications for Dobbies Community Gardens, offering local schools, charities and community groups the opportunity to receive support for their green spaces.
READ MORE
Six by Nico unveils brand new six course tasting menu, The Italian
Six by Nico's Road Trip, inspired by Chef Nico Simeone's Italian heritage and travels, will take you on a culinary journey through Italy!
READ MORE
Action Classics Hit Vue Venues in Scotland this March
An array of action films is screening at Vue venues in Scotland throughout the month of March, kicking off with the king of the genre, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
READ MORE
FROM GLASTO TO GLASGOW: Artists performing at TRNSMT 2025 and Glastonbury
Check out the Glastonbury artists that music fans can catch in Glasgow, straight off the heels of their Worthy Farm performance at TRNSMT Festival!
READ MORE
Alona Hotel to host Wedding Fayre
The Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Country Park is to host a sparkling Wedding Fayre featuring a stylish fashion show and a host of exhibitors who will be showcasing the latest wedding trends.
READ MORE
Full Casting Announced for Restless Natives: The Musical
Kirsty MacLaren, Kyle Gardiner and Finlay McKillop lead a multi-talented ensemble as the Clown and the Wolfman take to the road once again!
READ MORE
Dobbies launches spring with special shopping weekend
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting the nation to get excited for the busiest season in the gardener's calendar with its Spring Launch Weekend, taking place 6-10 March!
READ MORE
Topgolf marks inclusion in PGA Tour 2K25 with UK wide activations and giveaways
Topgolf will bring the virtual game to life at its four UK venues with exclusive giveaways for players.
READ MORE
The UK Pantomime Association announces major sponsorship partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment
The UK Pantomime Association is delighted to announce a significant new sponsorship partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment (ATGE).
READ MORE
Arriving near you! Adventure Cinema returns for special Summer screenings under the stars
The UK's largest outdoor cinema, Adventure Cinema announces its most spectacular season to date with incredible films at new magical locations!
READ MORE
Free gardening workshops at Dobbies this March
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting two free workshops this March for gardeners of all ages; Prepare to Propagate and Beyond the Secret Garden.
READ MORE
Your dream wedding awaits at New Lanark
New Lanark, the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site and stunning wedding venue, is inviting couples to experience the magic of their special day with a Wedding Appointment Day on Sunday 2nd March.
READ MORE
Snap up free tickets to The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Glasgow or Edinburgh
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland's only dedicated consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back and we have free tickets up for grabs!
READ MORE
Roblox hits the big screen at Vue Cinemas
British kids will go head-to-head on Roblox to be crowned the Gaming Challenge UK champion.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland Announces CHAS as the Official Charity Partner for its 2025 Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland has proudly announced Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as the official charity partner of its long running and hugely popular Supermarket Sweep initiative for 2025.
READ MORE
Hop along to Dobbies this Easter
Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming families and four-legged friends to hop along and get set for spring at its brand-new Easter-themed events, taking place across the UK.
READ MORE
Thousands of preloved books for children to find new homes through Asda instore donation points in Scotland
The initiative enables customers across the UK to donate pre-loved children's books in-store, for onward gifting to families with fewer books of their own.
READ MORE
Marstons is going marmalade mad in celebration of Paddington in Peru
To celebrate the Home Release of Paddington in Peru, Marston's has created a limited-edition marmalade-inspired children's menu, which will be available in over 250 Marston's pubs nationwide!
READ MORE
Scots charity calls on young Scottish poets for national campaign
Communities across Scotland are being invited to make a visible show of support for LGBTQ+ young people this Purple Friday.
READ MORE
From Barra to Buenos Aires: Worldwide Gaelic celebration just around the corner
The Gaelic language is set to be celebrated around the world in less than two weeks' time as Seachdain na Gàidhlig, World Gaelic Week, gets set to return from 24th February - 2nd March.
READ MORE
Final tickets up for grabs for Sunshine on Leith in Lanark
With less than 6 weeks to go until SUNSHINE ON LEITH at Lanark Memorial Hall, tickets are selling fast!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links