PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
A Capital Theatres and Pitlochry Festival Theatre Production
Nessie
Book, Music & Lyrics: Shonagh Murray
Director: Beth Morton
Musical Director and Composer: Shonagh Murray
Designer: Liz Cooke
Dates: 9 July until 16 August, Studio at Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Press performance: Thursday 17 July at 2.30pm
Loch Ness Monster spotted in Pitlochry!
Fresh from its successful opening at the Studio Theatre, Edinburgh, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is set to stage the exciting new Scottish musical Nessie, for all the family, which tells the story of a chance encounter between an aspiring marine biologist and the fabled ‘Nessa’ that leads to a story of friendship, bravery and monster mania.
On the scenic banks of Loch Ness lies the town of Bruachness, a place steeped in mystery and folklore, where the residents live in cautious awe of the legendary Loch Ness Monster, believed to bring misfortune to those who glimpse it. Tales abound of torn fishing nets, capsized boats, and a haunting fog that marks the Monster’s presence. But everything changes when an 11-year-old budding biologist named Mara encounters the Monster—who prefers to be called Nessa, thank you very much—and survives to tell the tale.
As news of Nessa spreads, Bruachness is swept into a whirlwind of Monster Mania. Tourists flock to the town, eager to catch a glimpse of the fabled creature. Amidst the growing frenzy, a mysterious mist descends, and a sinister plot unfolds at the local hydro plant. It’s up to Mara, Nessa, and their aquatic friends to safeguard the loch and its inhabitants. Along the way, they might even uncover the secret of Nessa’s origins.
With book, music, and lyrics by Glasgow-based composer and musical director Shonagh Murray, the Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Capital Theatres production of Nessie is a captivating new Scottish musical, suitable for all ages, that celebrates bravery, the strength of friendship and the courage to follow one’s own heart.
Nessie is the first musical to emerge from the Musicals Commissioning Hub, a partnership between Capital Theatres and Pitlochry Festival Theatre designed to nurture Scottish musicians and writers, support the future ecology of musical theatre, and create new musicals for audiences to enjoy.
Nessie’s cast will feature Caitlin Forbes (The Stamping Ground, Eden Court/Raw Material) as Mara; Keith Macpherson (A Streetcar Named Desire, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Oggie and Murdo Campbell, Alyson Orr (Sunshine on Leith, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Heather and Emma McDougall, and introducing newcomers Eden Barrie as Nessa and Louis Newman as Ally and Nessa 2. All other roles will be played by the cast.
Shonagh Murray is originally from Larkhall in Lanarkshire and studied at Strathclyde University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She founded theatre company Fearless Players in 2018 with writer and director Lydia Davidson. Their productions have included two musicals by Murray inspired by the life and legacy of poet Robert Burns.
Composer Shonagh Murray said:
“Nessie is a musical following the story of Mara and Nessa (the Loch Ness Monster) and how, through knowing each other, they discover where they belong and how to stand up for what they believe in.
With the magic of puppets by Ella Mackay and the brilliant vision of director Beth Morton and designer Natalie Fern, the world of Nessie is coming to life. We’ve got an amazing cast who will be playing instruments as well as giving life to puppets and I think the audience are in for a real magical experience.
Nessie is one of those myths that, I think, people always feel a great attachment to, whether you grew up near the loch or come from the other side of the world. We all feel a sense of emotional investment with the legend, so it’s been with great love and care that this show has come about. There’ll be moments to get you laughing, a sprinkle of emotion, a good couple of jigs, and hopefully we’ll have you singing the tunes all the way home. Nessie has been a true labour of love and has had so much care and consideration from every person involved. I’m so looking forward to sharing Nessie with audiences and seeing what they make of it.”
Nessie at Pitlochry Festival Theatre is supported by the Cruden Foundation.
Nessie runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 9 July until 16 August. Tickets and further information are available from the Box Office on 01796 484626 or online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com.
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Media contact
For all press interviews and review tickets please contact Duncan Clarke PR:
T 07880893750 or E duncanclarkepr@gmail.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Press performance: Thursday 17 July at 2.30pm
Creatives:
A Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Capitals Theatre Production
NESSIE
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Shonagh Murray
Director: Beth Morton
Designer: Liz Cooke
Musical Director and Composer: Shonagh Murray
Designer: Natalie Fern
Lighting Designer: Peter Fennell
Sound Designer: Pippa Murphy
Movement Director: Sasha Harrington
Puppet Designer and Maker: Ella Mackay
Puppetry Coach: Ross MacKay
Stage Manager: Katy Nicolson
Deputy Stage Manager (Book): Ruby Noble
Assistant Stage Manager: Rebecca Gorman
Cast: Eden Barrie (Nessa and as cast); Caitlin Forbes (Mara and as cast); Keith Macpherson (Oggie, Murdo Campbell and as cast), Louis Newman (Ally, Nessa 2 and as cast) and Alyson Orr (Heather, Emma McDougall as cast)
Listings
Mat perf at 2.30pm
July: 9,12, 17,19, 31
August: 2, 7, 9, 14 & 16
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
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
Nessie at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, is supported by the Cruden Foundation.
Capital Theatres
Capital Theatres’ mission is to build a sense of belonging across its three theatres in Edinburgh, enriching lives through the strength of its creative programmes and partnerships, sharing extraordinary experiences with everyone, again and again. The three venues it manages include two of Scotland’s largest, oldest, and most respected theatres: Festival Theatre (1,915 seats), King’s Theatre (1,122 seats, currently closed for a major redevelopment) and Studio Theatre (155 seats). Together they host over 700 performances each year with a broad and inclusive programme featuring the very best in drama, dance, musical theatre, family shows, live music, comedy, and pantomime.
Capital Theatres is primarily a receiving house which works with producers across the UK to programme their work. The organisation also commissions and co-produces a select number of productions of its own each year. Much of the programme is exclusive in Scotland, providing the only opportunity for audiences to see the biggest shows touring north of the border, the best in international contemporary dance and the latest productions from leading local and national companies. Capital Theatres is also the home of Edinburgh’s largest community companies, providing them with a platform each year to share their work.
Capital Theatres supports access to the arts for everyone and has an extensive Creative Engagement programme of talks, workshops, and events to develop participation and interest in the heritage of its buildings and all areas of live performance. Its artist development programme, Open@TheStudio, supports the sector more widely and the charity won the UK Theatre 2023 Award for Excellence in Inclusivity for its work with people living with dementia.
As Scotland’s largest theatre charity (SC018605), Capital Theatres is grateful for the continued support of Creative Scotland and Edinburgh City Council, our audiences, donors, patrons, and partners.
