Capital Theatres and the Pitlochry Festival Theatre will co-produce a major new production of Sunshine on Leith in 2022.
The feel-good musical which features the songs of The Proclaimers will be the final production at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh before it closes for a £25 million redevelopment scheme and the first production in the auditorium of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in nearly two years.
Featuring new musical arrangements by David Shrubsole, the new production of Stephen Greenhorn’s Sunshine on Leith will be directed by Pitlochry’s artistic director Elizabeth Newman and associate director Ben Occhipinti.
The production will open in Pitlochry from 20 May until 2 June 2022 before heading for Edinburgh to play a two-week run at the King’s Theatre from 7 to 18 June 2022. The production will then return to Pitlochry to play performances from 24 June until 1 October 2022.
Announcing the production Fiona Gibson, chief executive of Capital Theatres, said: “We’re beyond excited to be co-producing Sunshine on Leith with Pitlochry Festival Theatre as the King’s final show before its transformational redevelopment.
“What better treat for Edinburgh audiences than a musical which showcases the beauty and brilliance of their hometown to the iconic soundtrack of beloved Leithers The Proclaimers.
“I know that Elizabeth (Newman) will give it her signature heartfelt direction to create a show full of joy and poignancy, not to mention a great night out. For Capital Theatres, producing this show expands on our ambition to be at the heart Scotland’s theatre community, developing Scottish talent.
“Sunshine on Leith will also be a fitting swan-song to The King’s as we know it, before it re-emerges as a re-invigorated world-class theatre and thriving community hub.”
Newman added: “We are thrilled to be making Sunshine on Leith with Capital Theatres. It is an important piece for both organisations. It’ll reopen PFT’s main auditorium after it had to be closed for two years and it will close the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh before its exciting transformation in 2022.
“On a personal note, I love The Proclaimers and I’ve wanted to direct Stephen’s passionate, funny, moving piece for many years so I am over the moon to get to make it with Ben Occhipinti and the rest of the team. It’s going to be a mighty big adventure. It’s also great to be a part of Fiona Gibson’s exciting new vision for the theatres and we look forward to making work together that celebrates Edinburgh and Pitlochry.”
First performed at Dundee Rep in 2007, the tale of two servicemen returning home from war overseas was transformed into a critically-acclaimed film in 2013.
Sunshine on Leith is part of a packed 2022 programme at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre which will welcome audiences back inside the building for the first time since the Covid closedown.
Running from April to October, the 2022 season will launch in the theatre’s new studio with the premiere of Cathy Forde’s play Helping Hands from 21 April until 7 May 2022.
Designed to showcase new writing and touring productions from across Scotland, the studio will host two further premieres during the season – Sara Saharawi’s (Niqabi Ninja) Sister Radio (a co-production with Stellar Quines Theatre Company) and Martin McCormick’s new play The Maggie Wall.
Highlights in the theatre’s auditorium also include the premiere (co-produced with Watford Palace Theatre) of Anne-Marie Casey’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women; Michael Frayn’s iconic backstage comedy Noises Off which celebrates its 40th anniversary; and a revival of Noël Coward’s classic 1930s comedy of manners, Private Lives.
The 2022 season will also feature family-friendly entertainment including an exciting new adaptation, performed on the riverbank, of Jules Verne’s adventure Around the World in 80 Days. Family audiences will also be able to visit the theatre’s Explorers garden for the new promenade Peter Rabbit Experience.
Announcing the 2022 season, Pitlochry’s artistic director Elizabeth Newman said: “The commitment from audiences, artists, and participants to Pitlochry Festival Theatre over the past two years has been incredible. We really do want PFT to continue to be a haven where we can continue to celebrate life and make sense of the world. I hope the programme offers an exciting return inside to experience important plays, fun drama, and joyful stories with each other. A big thank you to everyone for sticking with us. I look forward to seeing everyone Onside, Outside and Online in 2022!”
Angela Thomas
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