The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dunblane troupe rise to challenge of a lifetime
Rubber Chicken Theatre sets new mark for fastest production
A troupe of Dunblane performers have danced their way into the record books with the world’s fastest theatrical production.
A cast and crew of nearly 200 people performed ’80s romantic comedy The Wedding Singer to a packed auditorium after only 12 hours of rehearsals.
Rubber Chicken Theatre, whose stars age from eight to older than 70, took its musical to the stage just 11 hours and 59 minutes after opening the script.
The whirlwind challenge wowed audiences at Stirling’s Macrobert Arts Centre on Saturday night.
Creative director Pamela Mackie said: “From the moment we opened the mystery box of scripts at 7.30am to find out what show we would be putting on, until curtain up at 7.30pm, it was all hands on deck.
“We had just 12 hours to pull together the entire show, from learning lines, songs and choreography, to organising costumes, lighting, sound, set and props.”
She said: “We’ve done a show in a week before, but nothing can prepare you for a once-in-a-lifetime challenge like this.
“There might be a few ruffled feathers but our chickens kept their heads about them to pull the challenge off.”
Rubber Chicken Theatre was confirmed a new Guinness World Record title holder by adjudicator Sofia Greenacre.
She took to the stage at the end of the performance to deliver the good news. “Congratulations Rubber Chicken Theatre, you are officially amazing,” she announced to rapturous applause.
“Our chickens kept their heads. PAMELA MACKIE
The previous world record was set by Stage Right in Greensberg, Pennsylvania, with a production of Children Of Eden in 14 hours 30 minutes on March 9 last year.
The choice for Saturday’s performance was independently picked from a selection of hundreds of musicals. The cast and crew only found out when they lifted the lid on the mystery box of scripts.