nd the Black, Black Oil

Joe says he feels privileged to be handed the reins of a play he’s coveted for years.

“I first read The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil about 12 years ago when I was at drama school in London. It made a huge impression on me. It was so different to the classical stuff we’d been studying up until then.”

The play tells the story of the Highland Clearances, where local people were evicted from their homes by major landowners and other powerful vested interests, in connivance with the church, police and military.

It makes comparisons with this era and the then-fledgling oil boom in Aberdeen.

The action remains as relevant as ever following the independence referendum and the politics of the 21st Century.

“It feels even more vital now than it did when I first encountered it 12 years ago,” Joe continues. “Blair and Cameron have heightened this clash of hierarchies and the politics strike a chord today.”

Stephen Bangs, 25, starred in last year’s show and is back for the touring production.

“I play a variety of roles,” he says. “It’s a real ensemble piece and very high energy.

“I have a load of costume changes and I play two or three different instruments.

“There are times when I dash off stage from playing one character, grab an instrument and run back on to join in a song.

“I was new at the Rep last year and this will be the first time I’ve been on a full tour. I really can’t wait.”

While it has a strong political message that ordinary people must resist exploitation by the powerful, John McGrath’s philosophy was that audiences must enjoy “a good night out” and this is at the heart of The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil.

“It really is terrific fun,” Stephen says. “There are a lot of funny lines in there and it has a feel good factor running all the way through.

“Last year’s run finished on Hogmanay and it was such a great evening at the Rep.”

Last year’s run finished on Hogmanay and it was such a great evening at the Rep