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Local Hero (musical)

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox Musical

| name =Local Hero

| subtitle =

| image =Local_Hero_Musical.jpg

| caption =Official poster of the 2019 Lyceum production

| music =Mark Knopfler

| lyrics =Mark Knopfler

| book =Bill Forsyth
David Greig

| basis =1983 film Local Hero

| setting =

| premiere_date ={{Start date|df=yes|2019|03|23}}

| premiere_location =Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

| productions = 2019 Edinburgh
2022 Chichester

}}

Local Hero is a musical with music and lyrics by Mark Knopfler, and a book by Bill Forsyth and David Greig. The musical is based on the 1983 film of the same name, written by Bill Forsyth. It tells the story of an American oil company representative who is sent to the fictional village of Furness on the west coast of Scotland to purchase the town and surrounding property for his company. The musical made its world premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in March 2019.

Background

The musical is based on the 1983 indie film Local Hero, written and directed by Bill Forsyth.{{cite web | url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/bill-forsyth-s-local-hero-film-adapted-for-stage-musical-qgqqxv3rv| title= Bill Forsyth's Local Hero film adapted for stage musical| work=The Times|date=5 February 2018 |access-date=24 February 2018}} The film was produced on a budget of just £3 millionWalker, Alexander. National Heroes: British Cinema in the Seventies and Eighties, Harrap, 1985, p. 182. and won several awards including the 1984 BAFTA Award for Best Direction{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/awards-database.html?year=1983&category=false&award=false |title= Awards Database – The BAFTA site |publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts |accessdate=24 February 2018}} and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay.{{cite web |url=http://www.nyfcc.com/awards/?awardyear=1983 |title=Awards – New York Film Critics Circle – NYFCC |publisher=New York Film Critics Circle |accessdate=11 July 2012}}

Production history

= World premiere: Edinburgh (2019) =

File:Local Hero Cast.jpg

The play received its world premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in March 2019.{{cite web | url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/bill-forsyth-set-to-turn-his-classic-film-local-hero-into-stage-musical/ | title=Bill Forsyth set to turn his classic film Local Hero into stage musical| work=Sunday Post|agency=Press Association|first=Katrine|last=Bussey|date=3 February 2018}} A co-production with The Old Vic,{{cite web | url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/edinburgh-theatre/news/local-hero-stage-version-david-greig-old-vic-lyceum_45705.html | title=New stage version of Local Hero to be produced by Old Vic and Lyceum| work=whatsonstage.com| publisher =Whats on Stage|date=3 February 2018 |accessdate=24 February 2018}} the show has a book by the film's original screenwriter and director, Bill Forsyth, which has been adapted by Lyceum artistic director David Greig,{{cite web | url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/scottish-film-local-hero-to-be-adapted-into-stage-musical/| title=Scottish film Local Hero to be adapted as stage musical| work=thestage.co.uk| publisher = The Stage|date=3 February 2018 |accessdate=24 February 2018}} with direction by John Crowley,{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16186354.Artistic_team_announced_for_new_musical_stage_version_of_Local_Hero/ | title=Artistic team announced for new musical stage version of Local Hero, Bill Forsyth's classic movie| work=heraldscotland.com| publisher =The Herald|date=26 April 2018 |accessdate=26 April 2018}} movement direction by Lucy Hind,{{cite web | url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/194642/local-hero-stage-musical-sets-casting-for-uk-world-premiere/| title=Local Hero Stage Musical Sets Casting for U.K. World Premiere| work=broadway.com/buzz| publisher =Broadway.com|date=18 January 2019 |accessdate=20 January 2019}} set and costume design by Scott Pask, lighting design by Paule Constable and video by Luke Halls. The musical features an original score and lyrics by Mark Knopfler,{{cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/theatre/bill-forsyth-and-mark-knopfler-reunite-for-new-local-hero-musical-1-4681466 | title=Bill Forsyth and Mark Knopfler reunite for new Local Hero musical| work=scotsman.com| publisher = The Scotsman|date=3 February 2018 |accessdate=24 February 2018}} with sound design by Paul Arditti, musical supervision by Dave Milligan and music direction by Phil Bateman.{{cite web | url=https://lyceum.org.uk/whats-on/production/local-hero | title=Local Hero Cast And Credits| work=lyceum.org.uk| publisher =Royal Lyceum Theatre |accessdate=1 May 2018}}

Local Hero began previews at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on 14 March 2019, with an official opening night on 23 March, booking for a limited period until 20 April.{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/16189147.Playwright_David_Greig_on_Local_Hero_the_musical___If_Scotland_likes_it__it_ll_have_integrity_/ | title=Playwright David Greig on Local Hero the musical: 'If Scotland likes it, it'll have integrity'| work=heraldscotland.com| publisher =The Herald|date=28 April 2018 |accessdate=1 May 2018}} Due to demand{{cite web | url=https://lyceum.org.uk/press/entry/new-dates-and-cast-announced-for-local-hero | title=New dates and cast announced for Local Hero| work=lyceum.org.uk| publisher =Royal Lyceum Theatre|date=18 January 2019|accessdate=19 January 2019}} the world premiere run was extended until 4 May.{{cite web | url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/edinburgh-theatre/news/local-hero-musical-lyceum-old-vic-cast_48345.html | title=Local Hero musical at the Royal Lyceum casting announced | work=whatsonstage.com| publisher =Whats on Stage|date=18 January 2019|accessdate=19 January 2019}} Notable casting included Damian Humbley as Mac, Katrina Bryan as Stella, Matthew Pidgeon as Gordon, and Simon Rouse as Happer.{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17370196.run-for-local-hero-musical-extended-as-full-cast-of-stage-version-of-classic-film-revealed/| title=Run for Local Hero musical extended as full cast of stage version of classic film revealed| work=heraldscotland.com| publisher =The Herald|date=19 January 2019 |accessdate=20 January 2019}}

The production was due to transfer to The Old Vic, London{{cite web | url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/claire-foy-matt-smith-daniel-radcliffe-old-vic_48970.html | title=Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming announced in new Old Vic season| work=whatsonstage.com| publisher =Whats On Stage|date=30 April 2019 |accessdate=4 May 2019}} where it was scheduled to begin previews 18 June 2020, with an official opening night on 1 July, booking for a limited period until 22 August.{{cite web | url=https://www.oldvictheatre.com/availability/local-hero| title=Local Hero Performances| work=oldvictheatre.com| publisher =The Old Vic |accessdate=4 May 2019}} As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, however, The Old Vic announced in April 2020 that the production was being postponed, with no revised dates given at that time.{{cite web |url=https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/the-old-vic-confirms-a-christmas-carol-for-new-season-postpones-local-hero |title=The Old Vic confirms A Christmas Carol for new season, postpones Local Hero |publisher=The Old Vic |date=16 April 2020 }} The Old Vic have since announced that the production will not be going ahead due to the theatre's schedule. According the calls that ticket holders received to get their refunds, the Old Vic would like to have the production back in one or two years when the pandemic situation allow musicals at their stage.

= Chichester revival (2022) =

A new production opened in the Minerva Theatre, Chichester as part of the Festival 2022 with previews beginning 8 October, with a press night on 17 October, running until 19 November 2022. It was directed by the former Artistic Director Daniel Evans, set designed by Frankie Bradshaw with lighting design by Paule Constable with Ryan Day, Projection design by Ash J Woodward, sound design by Paul Arditti, musical direction by Richard John and orchestrated and arranged by Dave Milligan. {{Cite web |title=LOCAL HERO, CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE, UK {{!}} MarkKnopfler.com |url=https://www.markknopfler.com/news/local-hero-chichester-festival-theatre-uk/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=www.markknopfler.com}}

Plot

Local Hero tells the story of an American oil company representative who is sent to the fictional village of Ferness on the west coast of Scotland{{cite web|date=3 February 2018|title=Local hero to take to stage as a musical|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-42917459|accessdate=24 February 2018|work=bbc.co.uk/news|publisher=BBC News}} to purchase the town and surrounding property to build a new refinery.{{cite web|date=14 March 2014|title=12 things you didn't know about Local Hero|url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/film/12-things-you-didn-t-know-about-local-hero-1-3341139|accessdate=24 February 2018|work=scotsman.com|publisher=The Scotsman}}

Musical numbers

{{col-begin}}

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Edinburgh 2019

;Act I{{cite journal |journal=Royal Lyceum Theatre Programme |title=Local Hero |date=March 2019 |page=10}}

  • "A Barrel Of Crude" - Company
  • "Houston We Have A Problem" - Mac
  • "We're Going To Make A Killing" - Company
  • "What A Life" - Ben
  • "Filthy Dirty Rich" - Gordon, Stella and Company
  • "Rocks And Water" - Stella
  • "That'd Do Me" - Company
  • "I Hope You Haven't Changed On Me" - Stella and Gordon (Only performed during the preview shows)
  • "Big Mac" - Iain, Viktor and Company
  • "I Wonder If I Can Go Home Again" - Mistress Fraser and Company
  • "Lone Star State" - Viktor

{{col-2}}

;Act II

  • "Never Felt Better" - Company
  • "Cheerio Away You Go" - Ben and Stella
  • "Get A Move On"- Company
  • "Numbers"- Stella and Mac
  • "All The Things That We Do" - Company Women
  • "In An Ideal Word" - Mac and Gordon
  • "Game Over" - Stella
  • "I Wonder If I Can Go Home Again (reprise)" - Mac
  • "Aiming For The Stars" - Ben and Company
  • "Going Home"

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Chichester 2022

;Act I

  • "A Barrel Of Oil" - Company
  • "Houston We Have A Problem" - Mac
  • "Welcome to Ferness" - The Band
  • "We're Going To Make A Killing" - Company
  • "What A Life" - Ben
  • "Filthy Dirty Rich" - Gordon, Stella and Company
  • "Rocks And Water" - Stella
  • "That'd Do Me" - Company
  • "Big Mac and Gordon" - Iain, Viktor and Company
  • "I Wonder If I Can Go Home Again" - Mistress Fraser and Company

{{col-2}}

;Act II

  • "Never Felt Better" - Company
  • "Cheerio Away You Go" - Ben and Stella
  • "Filthy Dirty Rich - Reprise" - Company
  • "Numbers"- Stella and Mac
  • "In An Ideal Word" - Mac and Gordon
  • "Rocks and Water - Reprise" - Stella
  • "I Wonder If I Can Go Home Again (reprise)" - Mac
  • "Going Home"

{{col-end}}

==Principal roles and Production cast ==

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Edinburgh=

class="wikitable"
scope="col" | Character

! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Edinburgh (2019){{cite journal |journal=Royal Lyceum Theatre Programme |title=Local Hero |date=March 2019 |page=5}}

scope="row" |Ownie

| align="center" colspan="1"|Scott Ainslie

scope="row" |Stella

| align="center" colspan="1"|Katrina Bryan

scope="row" |Pauline/Punk Girl

| align="center" colspan="1"|Caroline Deyga

scope="row" |Ben

| align="center" colspan="1"|Julian Forsyth

scope="row" |Mac

| align="center" colspan="1"|Damian Humbley

scope="row" |Reverend Murdo

| align="center" colspan="1"|Emmanuel Kojo

scope="row" |Netta

| align="center" colspan="1"|Helen Logan

scope="row" |Malky

| align="center" colspan="1"|Matthew Malthouse

scope="row" |Shona

| align="center" colspan="1"|Suzie McAdam

scope="row" |Rhona

| align="center" colspan="1"|Joanne McGuinness

scope="row" |Iain

| align="center" colspan="1"|John McLarnon

scope="row" |Viktor

| align="center" colspan="1"|Adam Pearce

scope="row" |Gordon

| align="center" colspan="1"|Matthew Pidgeon

scope="row" |Happer/Duncan

| align="center" colspan="1"|Simon Rouse

scope="row" |Mistress Fraser

| align="center" colspan="1"|Wendy Somerville

{{col-2}}

=Chichester=

class="wikitable"
scope="col" | Character

! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Chichester (2022)

scope="row" |Ownie

| align="center" colspan="1"|Ali Craig

scope="row" |Stella

| align="center" colspan="1"|Lillie Flynn

scope="row" |Pauline/Punk Girl

| align="center" colspan="1"|Julie Cullen

scope="row" |Ben

| align="center" colspan="1"|Hilton McRae

scope="row" |Mac

| align="center" colspan="1"|Gabriel Ebert

scope="row" |Reverend Murdo

| align="center" colspan="1"|Rodney Earl Clarke

scope="row" |Netta

| align="center" colspan="1"|Liz Ewing

scope="row" |Lachie

| align="center" colspan="1"|Craig Hunter

scope="row" |Shona

| align="center" colspan="1"|Betty Valencia

scope="row" |Rhona/Movement Captain

| align="center" colspan="1"|Rachael Kendall Brown

scope="row" |Iain

| align="center" colspan="1"|Murray Fraser

scope="row" |Viktor

| align="center" colspan="1"|Joshua Manning

scope="row" |Gordon

| align="center" colspan="1"|Paul Higgins

scope="row" |Happer

| align="center" colspan="1"|Jay Villiers

scope="row" |Mistress Fraser

| align="center" colspan="1"|Jackie Morrison

{{col-end}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Bill Forsyth}}

{{Mark Knopfler}}

Category:2019 musicals

Category:Musicals based on films

Category:British musicals

Category:Musicals set in Scotland