Local Hero (musical)

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Local Hero
Official poster of the 2019 Lyceum production
MusicMark Knopfler
LyricsMark Knopfler
BookBill Forsyth
David Greig
Basis1983 film Local Hero
Premiere23 March 2019 (2019-03-23): Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Productions2019 Edinburgh
2022 Chichester

Local Hero is a musical with music and lyrics by Mark Knopfler, and a book by Bill Forsyth and David Greig. The musical is based on the 1983 film of the same name, written by Bill Forsyth. It tells the story of an American oil company representative who is sent to the fictional village of Furness on the west coast of Scotland to purchase the town and surrounding property for his company. The musical made its world premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in March 2019.

Production history[edit]

The musical is based on the 1983 indie film Local Hero, written and directed by Bill Forsyth.[1] The film was produced on a budget of just £3 million[2] and won several awards including the 1984 BAFTA Award for Best Direction[3] and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay.[4]

World premiere: Edinburgh (2019)[edit]

The play received its world premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in March 2019.[5] A co-production with The Old Vic,[6] the show has a book by the film's original screenwriter and director, Bill Forsyth, which has been adapted by Lyceum artistic director David Greig,[7] with direction by John Crowley,[8] movement direction by Lucy Hind,[9] set and costume design by Scott Pask,[8] lighting design by Paule Constable[8] and video by Luke Halls.[10] The musical features an original score and lyrics by Mark Knopfler,[11] with sound design by Paul Arditti,[8] musical supervision by Dave Milligan[10] and music direction by Phil Bateman.[10]

Local Hero began previews at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on 14 March 2019,[10] with an official opening night on 23 March, booking for a limited period until 20 April.[12] Due to demand[13] the world premiere run was extended until 4 May.[14] Notable casting included Damian Humbley as Mac, Katrina Bryan as Stella, Matthew Pidgeon as Gordon, and Simon Rouse as Happer.[15]

The production was due to transfer to The Old Vic, London[16] where it was scheduled to begin previews 18 June 2020,[17] with an official opening night on 1 July,[17] booking for a limited period until 22 August.[17] As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, however, The Old Vic announced in April 2020 that the production was being postponed, with no revised dates given at that time.[18] The Old Vic have since announced that the production will not be going ahead due to the theatre's schedule. According the calls that ticket holders received to get their refunds, the Old Vic would like to have the production back in one or two years when the pandemic situation allow musicals at their stage.

Chichester revival (2022)[edit]

A new production opened in the Minerva Theatre, Chichester as part of the Festival 2022 with previews beginning 8 October, with a press night on 17 October, running until 19 November 2022. It was directed by the former Artistic Director Daniel Evans, set designed by Frankie Bradshaw with lighting design by Paule Constable with Ryan Day, Projection design by Ash J Woodward, sound design by Paul Arditti, musical direction by Richard John and orchestrated and arranged by Dave Milligan. [19]

Plot[edit]

Local Hero tells the story of an American oil company representative who is sent to the fictional village of Ferness on the west coast of Scotland[20] to purchase the town and surrounding property to build a new refinery.[21]

Musical numbers[edit]

Principal roles and Edinburgh cast[edit]

Original cast of Local Hero
Character Edinburgh (2019)[23]
Ownie Scott Ainslie
Stella Katrina Bryan
Pauline/Punk Girl Caroline Deyga
Ben Julian Forsyth
Mac Damian Humbley
Reverend Murdo Emmanuel Kojo
Netta Helen Logan
Malky Matthew Malthouse
Shona Suzie McAdam
Rhona Joanne McGuinness
Iain John McLarnon
Viktor Adam Pearce
Gordon Matthew Pidgeon
Happer/Duncan Simon Rouse
Mistress Fraser Wendy Somerville

Principal roles and Chichester cast[edit]

Character Chichester (2022)
Ownie Ali Craig
Stella Lillie Flynn
Pauline/Punk Girl Julie Cullen
Ben Hilton McRae
Mac Gabriel Ebert
Reverend Murdo Rodney Earl Clarke
Netta Liz Ewing
Lachie Craig Hunter
Shona Betty Valencia
Rhona/Movement Captain Rachael Kendall Brown
Iain Murray Fraser
Viktor Joshua Manning
Gordon Paul Higgins
Happer Jay Villiers
Mistress Fraser Jackie Morrison

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bill Forsyth's Local Hero film adapted for stage musical". thetimes.co.uk. The Times. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  2. ^ Walker, Alexander. National Heroes: British Cinema in the Seventies and Eighties, Harrap, 1985, p. 182.
  3. ^ "Awards Database – The BAFTA site". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Awards – New York Film Critics Circle – NYFCC". New York Film Critics Circle. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  5. ^ Bussey, Katrine (3 February 2018). "Bill Forsyth set to turn his classic film Local Hero into stage musical". Sunday Post. Press Association.
  6. ^ "New stage version of Local Hero to be produced by Old Vic and Lyceum". whatsonstage.com. Whats on Stage. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Scottish film Local Hero to be adapted as stage musical". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d "Artistic team announced for new musical stage version of Local Hero, Bill Forsyth's classic movie". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Local Hero Stage Musical Sets Casting for U.K. World Premiere". broadway.com/buzz. Broadway.com. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d "Local Hero Cast And Credits". lyceum.org.uk. Royal Lyceum Theatre. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Bill Forsyth and Mark Knopfler reunite for new Local Hero musical". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Playwright David Greig on Local Hero the musical: 'If Scotland likes it, it'll have integrity'". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  13. ^ "New dates and cast announced for Local Hero". lyceum.org.uk. Royal Lyceum Theatre. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Local Hero musical at the Royal Lyceum casting announced". whatsonstage.com. Whats on Stage. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Run for Local Hero musical extended as full cast of stage version of classic film revealed". heraldscotland.com. The Herald. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming announced in new Old Vic season". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  17. ^ a b c "Local Hero Performances". oldvictheatre.com. The Old Vic. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  18. ^ "The Old Vic confirms A Christmas Carol for new season, postpones Local Hero". The Old Vic. 16 April 2020.
  19. ^ "LOCAL HERO, CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE, UK | MarkKnopfler.com". www.markknopfler.com. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Local hero to take to stage as a musical". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  21. ^ "12 things you didn't know about Local Hero". scotsman.com. The Scotsman. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  22. ^ a b c "Local Hero". Royal Lyceum Theatre Programme: 10. March 2019.
  23. ^ "Local Hero". Royal Lyceum Theatre Programme: 5. March 2019.
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