PRESS RELEASE
A Pitlochry Festival Theatre Production
A Toast Fae The Lassies
Written and directed by John Binnie
Musical Arrangements and Additional Music by Alyson Orr
Poetry and Songs by Robert Burns
Musical Director: Alyson Orr
Set and Costume Designer: Natalie Fern
Lighting Designer: Adam Bowers
Cast: Alyson Orr, Stephanie Cremona, Eden Barrie and Chris Coxon
- Première of the new musical play that explores the life of the celebrated Scottish Poet Robert Burns through the perspectives of the three women who knew him best – his mother Agnes Broun, his widow Jean Armour, and his muse and lover Clarinda
- Collaboration between the award-winning playwright and director John Binnie and the composer Alyson Orr.
- Runs in the Studio at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 29 August until 24 September
- Press performance on Thursday 4 September at 2.30pm
New play to explore the life of Robert Burns through the perspectives of the three women who knew him best
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is set to close its Studio Season from 29 August until 24 September with the première of A Toast Fae The Lassies, a new musical play by John Binnie and Alyson Orr play that explores the life of Robert Burns through the perspectives of the three women who knew him best and highlights how these often-overlooked figures shaped the legacy and contributed to the art of Scotland’s greatest poet.
It is 25 January 1797, in the quiet graveyard of Dumfries, and Agnes Broun is remembering her recently departed son, Robert Burns. Her solemn visit is interrupted by an unexpected encounter with Jean Armour, Robert’s widow, and mother to his nine children. The two women, bound by a shared history and unresolved tensions, clash as they come face-to-face.
Unbeknownst to them, a mysterious figure watches from the shadows – Clarinda, Burns’ muse, and soulmate, who has brought a dram to honour her beloved Rabbie. Each woman recalls the ploughman poet in her own distinct way, and through his songs they recount their stories.
Featuring Burns’ timeless songs and poetry, including My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose, Ae Fond Kiss, and Auld Lang Syne, A Toast Fae the Lassies invites you to experience the first Burns Night like never before.
A Toast Fae The Lassies is the first, powerful collaboration between the award-winning playwright and director John Binnie and the composer Alyson Orr.
Playwright and director John Binnie said:
“We are very excited to delve into the lives of the three women who were crucial to Rabbie Burns’ life – his wife, his mother, and his muse. These women are rarely given a voice, and the play is the perfect opportunity to explore the influences of Jean Armour, Agnes Broun and Clarinda. Featuring the most beautiful Burns’ songs which are interwoven throughout the story, these timeless melodies will be sung in close harmony by the cast. The intimacy of Pitlochry Studio theatre is the perfect setting for this heartwarming and poignant tale and the play is a fitting tribute to Scotland’s most famous poet and the women in his life. “
The production’s cast will feature Chris Coxon (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and The Wizard of Oz, Watermill Theatre) as Musician; Stephanie Cremona (Cinderella and A Christmas Carol, Dundee Rep) as Jean Armour, Alyson Orr (Sunshine on Leith, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Bend it Like Bertie, Pavillion Theatre, Glasgow) as Agnes Broun and introducing newcomer Eden Barrie as Clarinda. Other roles are played by the cast.
A Toast Fae The Lassies runs in the Studio at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 29 August until 24 September.
Tickets and further information are available from the Box Office on 01796 484626 or online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Press performance: Thursday 4 September at 2.30pm
Creatives:
A Pitlochry Festival Theatre Production
A Toast Fae The Lassies
Written and directed by John Binnie
Musical Arrangements and Additional Music by Alyson Orr
Poetry and Songs by Robert Burns
Musical Director: Alyson Orr
Set and Costume Designer: Natalie Fern
Lighting Designer: Adam Bowers
Production Manager: Dino Melia
Stage Manager: Katy Nicolson
Assistant Stage Manager (Book): Rebecca Gorman
Cast: Alyson Orr (Agnes Broun and as cast); Stephanie Cremona (Jean Armour and as cast); Eden Barrie (Clarinda and as cast) and Chris Coxon (Musician and as cast)
Listings
Eve perf at 8pm
August: 29 & 30
September: 10 & 24
Mat perf at 2.30pm:
September: 4, 18
Ticket prices: From £15
Box Office and group bookings: 01796 484626
email boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Website: pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Address: Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port-Na-Craig, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5DR
John Binnie – Playwright and Director
John Binnie is from Kilsyth and studied theatre and English Literature at Glasgow University.
Theatre credits: The Great Lafayette (Festival Theatre); Winter Tales and In Our Hands (Glasgow Life); All’s Well That Ends Well, Pericles, Cymbeline and Hamlet (Art Moves); Sinbad and Rapunzel (Brunton Theatre); Resting Place and Stur (Glasgow Life); Fuaigh (National Theatre of Scotland); Jack And The Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty (Arbroath’s Webster Theatre); Edge Of The World and Maria Of My Soul ( Òran Mór); Weans in The Wid and Cinderella (Glasgow Life); MindWalking, Love Indeed, Breakfast At Audrey’s and A Persian Cinderella (Bandbazi); Monster’s Tears and Good Sister Bad (Lung Ha Theatre Company); Journey (Dance House) Soft Boy( West Lothian Youth Theatre)Albertine In Five Times, Babycakes, Accustomed to Her Face, Beyond The Rainbow and Mum, Dad There’s Something I’ve Got To Tell You( Clyde Unity Theatre) A Little Older (Clyde Unity Theatre, Necessary Stage Singapore, Hampstead Theatre, Anglisten Theatre Augsburg))Killing Me Softly( Clyde Unity Theatre, University Of Massachusetts, New Wolsey theatre Ipswich, Scottish Youth Theatre)
Film credits Days Without
Radio credits Beyond the Rainbow (BBC) Summer Sectioned (BBC)
John is from Kilsyth and studied Theatre and English Literature at the University of Glasgow.
Alyson Orr – Musical Director
Alyson is delighted to be back at Pitlochry Festival Theatre having previously appeared in Noises Off and Sunshine On Leith. She recently performed in Bend It Like Bertie at the Westgate Theatre, Las Vegas and has worked with many theatre companies including Scottish Opera, Borderline, Byre Theatre, Theatre Workshop, Wildcat, Jersey Opera House and the Glasgow Pavilion Theatre. She also played the role of Kate Fulton in,Rikki and Me alongside Gerard Kelly and Tony Roper. Her TV and film credits include: River City, High Road and the BAFTA award winning film, One Life Stand.
Alyson is one third of the jazz vocal harmony group The Swingcats. They have toured internationally and performed with some of the UK’s top big bands, most notably the BBC Big Band and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The Swingcats have also appeared on ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ and ‘Big Band Special’ on BBC Radio 2. Alyson composed the music for the musical comedy, The Wedding Planners and is currently writing a new musical called Witch Hunt. She is thrilled to be composing additional music for A Toast Fae The Lassies, a new play about the women in the life of Robert Burns.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre. A Theatre for Everyone. A Theatre for a Lifetime.
Since 1951, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has been the artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire. Attracting over 100,000 visitors every year, we’re more than simply a place to come and see a show – we’re Scotland’s leading producer of musical theatre, a champion of ensemble practice and the country’s only rurally-located, major arts organisation. Our purpose is to improve lives by sharing Pitlochry with the world and the world with Pitlochry. Our aim is to create life-enhancing experiences in our Theatre and its glorious eleven-acre campus that encompasses the magical Explorers Garden. In everything we do, we are committed to nurturing an exciting creative and cultural future for Scotland.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a charity supported by funding from Creative Scotland and Perth & Kinross Council. It is also grateful to the many individual donors, and trusts and foundations who support us; without their generosity we could not continue to produce exceptional theatre.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a registered Scottish Charity. No SC013055
Pitlochry Festival Theatre gratefully acknowledges support from:
