Pitlochry Festival Theatre & Royal Lyceum Theatre announce casts for next three new Sound Stage productions

Pitlochry Festival Theatre and The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, in association with Naked Productions, have announced the casts who will appear in three of their forthcoming Sound Stage plays.

John Byrne’s new comedy Tennis Elbow will stream from 30 April-2 May. The piece is a follow up to his acclaimed 1977 debut play, Writer’s Cramp, about the life and work of a mischievous lost artist trying to make her way in the world. 

Directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman, Tennis Elbow will feature Maureen Beattie, Brian Ferguson, Jessica Hardwick, Cherylee Houston, Louise Jameson, Anne Odeke, Sally Reid, Kirsty Stuart, Samuel West and Fiona Wood.

Playwright John Byrne said: “I’m thrilled to be working with so many wonderful actors on my play. I’ve worked closely with Elizabeth on the casting of Tennis Elbow. Maureen (Beattie) has very much been in my mind since I first conceived the play so I’m delighted she’s involved. Kirsty (Stuart) playing Pamela Crichton Capers will undoubtedly be a tour de force. She is wonderful. I’m very proud of the entire company. It has some fantastic cameo roles from great actors like Sam (West), as well as an opportunity for me to work with actors like Brian(Ferguson ) and Louise (Jameson) who I’ve admired for some time. What’s also wonderful is the process is introducing me to new actors like Anne (Odeke) and Cherylee (Houston) whilst giving me the opportunity to work with people again like Sally (Reid) and Jessica (Hardwick). It’s a real privilege to have such talent involved and I hope the audience enjoy our work.”

Caitlin Skinner directs the premiere of Jaimini Jethwa’s Hindu Times, which tells the story of Hindu deities Vishnu and Brahma as they come back Dundee, to restore earth, reunite with Lakshmi, and bring back love, but end up getting right on it. Streaming from 28-30 May, the cast features  Rehanna McDonald, Adam McNamara and Daniel Portman.

Playwright Jaimini Jethwa said: “I’m excited to work with The Royal Lyceum and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, two leading companies with strong reputations for excellence and commitment to emerging talent. Developing my new play shows their continued dedication to artists especially in these times. I’m excited to showcase Hindu Times, which gives commentary and coincides with events in the world today, bringing the deities to Dundee, in the avatars of Dundee guys affectionately known as ‘minks’, Vishnu aka Vince and Brahma aka Barry, who come to save earth, bring balance, restore essence, spread divinity, and get Vishnu’s chick back, Lakshmi, who’s on her own mission, trapped inside a Dundee lassie Lakhi.”

Finally, Lynda Radley’s The Mother Load will premiere from 25-27 June, a funny and moving play about unlikely friendship and the messy realities of all our lives. Isobel McArthur directs the show, which will feature Nalini Chetty, Anna Russell-Martin, Wendy Seager and Rosalind Sydney.

Playwright Lynda Radley said: “It's always a joy to connect with an audience but in these times this opportunity is especially treasured. The Sound Stage project asks us to listen to plays, not alone but together, in a live setting. That's exciting, and I'm fascinated to find out how that feels. My hope for The Mother Load is that we'll laugh together, tell and hear truths together, and be a little less judging of ourselves and each other.”

Further announcements for the second half of the Sound Stage opening season will be made in due course.

Tickets for Sound Stage productions are on sale now and can be purchased here.