Lanark stage bow delayed as preview night called off over technical issues
THE new theatrical version of Alasdair Gray’s novel Lanark has cancelled its first preview night at the Citizen’s Theatre in Glasgow.
The theatre, which is previewing the “huge multimedia” production in Glasgow before it is staged at the Edinburgh International Festival, said that technical issues had forced the cancellation of the first night of the show tomorrow.
The adaptation of the novel has been written by David Greig and is directed by Graham Eatough.
The theatre said that Saturday’s performance would go ahead as planned.
A statement from the Citizen’s Theatre said: “Lanark: A Life in Three Acts is a huge multi-media production involving sophisticated video, sound, lighting and scenery.
“Unfortunately, we currently have technical issues which will not be resolved in time for us to present the complete production at the first preview.
“We have made the decision to cancel the performance, and have contacted all affected patrons today to offer tickets for an alternative date, or a full refund.”
As the Edinburgh Festival Fringe prepares to enter its second week, one of the most controversial religious plays ever staged in Glasgow is finding new life at the event.
Jo Clifford’s play The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven – in which Clifford portrays a transgender Christ – led to demonstrations when it was first staged at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow in 2009 as part of the Glasgay art festival.
Clifford has now updated the play, which was called “an affront to the Christian faith”, and is re-staging it at the Summerhall venue at the Fringe.
“People were really vile about it,” she said. “But because of that, I thought there was something in it.”
Meanwhile, John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, appeared at a Fringe event last night and said the SNP MPs have sent out a “significant” message about group solidarity at Westminster since their election.
He added many of the MPs are “already proving to be very good parliamentarians”.
NEW Lanark hosts its first book festival from October 1-4, with well-known Scottish authors, such as Alistair Moffat and Christopher Brookmyre speaking at the event. Genres covered include Scottish fiction and history, food and whisky.
Jane Masters, heritage manager at New Lanark, said: “With its fascinating history and colourful characters, New Lanark has often appeared in books and even had its own reading room 200 years ago. This year we are celebrating this link to literature by holding our first book festival.”
The sessions run on Thursday and Friday evenings, and throughout Saturday and Sunday. The festival begins with Jonathan Whitelaw, author of Morbid Relations, and crime writer Brookmyre, author of 18 novels, including Dead Girl Walking. newlanark.org