Pitlochry Festival Theatre to première David Greig’s new play ADVENTURES WITH THE PAINTED PEOPLE

Originally commissioned by Pitlochry Festival Theatre for its 2020 season, David Greig’s new play Adventures with the Painted People will receive its world stage premiere in the theatre’s outdoor amphitheatre from 10 June-4 July.

Also an acclaimed BBC Radio 3 audio play, Adventures with the Painted People is a compelling love story, exploring the value of history and the power of writing. Lucius is a cultured Roman officer, captured by the Picts and about to be sacrificed. Eithne is a wise Pictish woman, who wants to record her people's history in writing, a skill they do not yet have. She makes a deal - she will rescue Lucius, in exchange for him teaching her to write. So, they must flee - not by road, the Romans have not built those yet, but down river...

Directed by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman, Adventures with the Painted People features lighting by Jeanine Byrne and music/sound design by Ben Occhipinti.

Newman said:“When I was contemplating what we could make this summer, and it was becoming more and more apparent that indoor performance was going to be more challenging for audiences, our new commission, Adventures with the Painted People by David Greig, just kept singing to me. The play has never left my heart, or mind, since we made it at the start of the last lockdown with Culture in Quarantine, BBC Arts and Radio 3. 

“Although we were grateful to produce as a radio drama, we were sad to not have performed this important new writing in person. So, as I made plans with the Pitlochry Festival Theatre team, the amphitheatre seemed like the perfect space for Adventures with the Painted People. It also felt entirely fitting that a new play by the truly brilliant David Greig would be the first piece for audiences to see in this exciting outdoor performance space.

“Adventures with the Painted People is set here in Highland Perthshire, centrally and is a truly glorious piece about how Pictish and Roman culture are exploring nature and culture, therefore it felt apt to be transported to an outdoors environment. Painted People is romantic, often comedic, and we feel it will help audiences celebrate being in the 'great outdoors' and connecting with nature this summer at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.”

Casting will be announced soon.

For tickets and further information, please click here.