Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
Article Source: Dogstar Theatre
Last Updated: 13 December 2024 11:14
The play, adapted by Dogstar Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Zajac, will open at Eden Court, Inverness on 13 February, before embarking upon an 17-date tour around Scotland, closing at Dundee Rep on 14 March 2025.
Published in 2006 and long-listed for that year’s Booker Prize, The Testament of Gideon Mack became an instant Scottish classic. This is a story about grief and the crisis of faith in Scottish society, told through the life of the Reverend Gideon Mack of Monimaskit. A story of late 20th century post-war Scotland, of the manse and the permissive age, a story of a Church of Scotland minister who doesn’t believe in God. Then he meets the Devil.
Dogstar’s vibrant new stage version of this acclaimed novel will evoke the close-knit community of Monimaskit as it grapples with the Reverend’s revelation that he spent three days with the Devil. Full of humour, provocation and the supernatural, The Testament of Gideon Mack presents a microcosm of small-town Scotland with a cast of vividly-drawn characters.
Commissioned by Eden Court and supported by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance, The Testament of Gideon Mack will be presented by an ensemble of eight actors and an outstanding creative team of Scotland-based theatre makers.
At the forefront of the project is Dogstar’s Artistic Director Matthew Zajac, who first discussed the adaptation with author James Robertson 15 years ago. “James is among Scotland’s greatest living novelists. It was a pleasure and privilege to be permitted by James to adapt this marvellous story. It says so much about Scotland and is perhaps the most theatrical of all James’ novels.”
Author James Robertson adds: “I am so delighted that at long last Matthew Zajac’s adaptation of my novel is to be staged. I have huge respect for Matthew’s work as an actor and writer, and I can’t think of a better team than Dogstar, one of Scotland’s most innovative and dynamic touring companies, to bring this new play to venues across the country.”
Laura Mackenzie-Stuart, Head of Theatre, Creative Scotland said: “The Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance was created to ensure that bold creative ideas can be enjoyed by theatre and dance audiences across Scotland. It’s great to see this theatrical imagining of a story which has rapidly become a Scottish classic now heading off on its travels, taking in Ayr to Inverness via Stornoway.”
Zajac’s previous work includes winner of Summerhall’s Lustrum Award 2017 THE SKY IS SAFE, and the biographical The Tailor of Inverness which was awarded a Scotsman Fringe First and the inaugural Holden Street Theatre Award in 2008 and has been touring internationally since. He is supported in transposing James Robertson’s mysterious Scottish tale into a physical and visually arresting production by director Meghan de Chastelain (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bard in the Botanics 2022). Dogstar Theatre is also working with designer Kenneth MacLeod (Dracula: Mina's Reckoning, National Theatre Scotland / APA 2023), composer Aidan O'Rourke (Macro, Edinburgh International Festival 2022), lighting designer Kate Bonney (Shift, National Theatre Scotland 2018) and movement director Sasha Harrington (The Stamping Ground, RAW Material 2022).
The stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack will open on Thursday 13 February 2025 at Eden Court, Inverness. It will then embark upon an 17-date tour around Scotland, visiting theatres in Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Giffnock, Greenock, Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews, Stirling and Stornoway.
The Testament of Gideon Mack is presented by Dogstar Theatre Company with thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance.
Further information, tour schedule and individual ticket links are available via www.dogstartheatre.co.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives
A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.
READ MORE
Coffeeshop Tinderbox celebrates first anniversary at Braehead Shopping Centre with Golden Cup Giveaway
This Sunday, 8th December, sees the first anniversary of Tinderbox coffee shop at Braehead Shopping Centre, located in lower level food mall.
READ MORE
Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.
READ MORE
Double charity boost from Glasgow Clan
Ice hockey fans will get the chance to do their bit to help the less well-off by donating food items and toys at Glasgow Clan games this weekend.
READ MORE
Winners announced in Provost Christmas Card Competition
Three lucky Renfrewshire school children have had their artwork selected to be made into Christmas cards through the Provost’s Christmas Card competition.
READ MORE
Crowds take to Paisley High Street to Reclaim the Night
Hundreds of women and men took to the streets of Paisley to call for an end to violence against women and girls.
READ MORE
Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line
A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
READ MORE
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024
Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025
50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.
READ MORE
Johnstone lights up for Christmas 2024
Crowds turned out in Johnstone's Houstoun Square on Saturday to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on for 2024.
READ MORE
Winners of the Paisley First Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition are announced
The results are in for this year's Paisley's Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition!
READ MORE
Christmas in Paisley gets underway with a sleigh load of family fun on offer this winter
The countdown to Christmas is on as Paisley's ice-rink and funfair opened their doors last night to kick off a month-long programme of festive activity taking place across the town centre.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!
READ MORE
Brewer gives away free pints to celebrate mockumentary launch
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.
READ MORE
Christmas tree season arrives at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.
READ MORE
Glasgow music festival The Reeling announces extended 2025 dates and performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Valtos
A popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!
READ MORE
Final date added as 30,000 expected at biggest itison Drive In Movies Christmas
itison Drive In Movies Christmas adds final date after unprecedented demand with tickets for Elf & Love Actually on sale on Wednesday 27th November at 7.30am.
READ MORE
Pension Credit drop in event to check eligibility being held in Paisley
People aged 66 and older are being encouraged to pop along to an event in Paisley to find out if they can get Pension Credit.
READ MORE
Clan fans rally to the charity cause
The Glasgow Clan's Purple Army of fans raised more than £11,000 for the charity that promotes awareness and opportunities to participate in ice sports.
READ MORE
Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Scotland
A pioneering visual teaching tool has launched across Scotland, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.
READ MORE
Festive favourites back on the big screen at Vue in Scotland
To mark the countdown to Christmas, some of the most loved holiday classics are being brought back to the big screen at Vue venues in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Asda Foundation supports lonely over 60s this Christmas
Asda and Asda Foundation pledges almost £1 million to help combat loneliness and isolation in the older generation this festive period through its 'Don't be Gnome Alone this Christmas' campaign.
READ MORE
IKEA Christmas tree offer launching in Scotland this month
IKEA is giving shoppers a £20 voucher for every real tree purchased for £29 in its Scottish stores from 23rd November – with pre-orders available now.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is set to sell the cheapest real Christmas trees this festive season
Aldi Scotland announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees, with prices starting from just £13.99.
READ MORE
Communities to Reclaim The Night as part of annual campaign
Renfrewshire residents are being encouraged to join the annual march to end domestic abuse, harassment and violence against women and young people.
READ MORE
Renfrew and Johnstone to light up for Christmas
Renfrew and Johnstone will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights in each town are due to be switched on in the coming weeks.
READ MORE
Scottish stars Skerryvore launch biggest show to date for 20th anniversary
Legendary Scottish band Skerryvore have today unveiled plans to stage a special one-off concert – their biggest to date – to mark their 20th anniversary.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links