Arts centre will host a play about the Big Yin

A unique play which serves as a love letter from the people of Scotland to Sir Billy Connolly is coming to town.

The full tour for National Theatre of Scotland’s new production Dear Billy has been announced and East Kilbride Arts Centre and Cumbernauld’s Lanternhouse are on the bill.

Billy Connolly needs no introduction. The Big Yin is a national treasure. From the shipyards of the Clydeside to his trailblazing and extraordinary stage and movie exploits, he is woven into Scottish culture. Everyone has a Billy story.

An expert team of story gatherers has created a collection of moving and hilarious tales of Billy and Gary McNair, one of Scotland’s best theatre makers, has turned these stories into a special show celebrating the Big Yin and what he means to us.

Announced last year to mark Billy’s 80th birthday, Dear Billy is a unique touring production that will evolve on the road. It will travel the length and breadth of Scotland, visiting local theatres, art and community centres, building up to a final run at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow.

Gary is hitting the road with musicians, collecting more stories from audience members which may become woven into the show as the tour progresses. Each show offers a unique chance to audiences, to laugh, sing, and celebrate the man and the legend.

Dear Billy is written and performed by leading Scottish theatre-maker Gary McNair, whose work has been celebrated on the international stage and directed by Joe Douglas (The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black Black Oil ). Musicians joining Gary on the road will be Simon Liddell and Jill O’Sullivan.

The show comes to East Kilbride Arts Centre on Tuesday, May 30 and the Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld, on Wednesday, June 14.