Cast announced for Cone Gatherers
Tom McGovern stars in Robin Jenkins adaptation
By Thom Dibdin
Tom McGovern will star in Aberdeen Performing Arts’ production of Robin Jenkins’ The Cone Gatherers
Tom McGovern has been cast in the lead role of Duror in Aberdeen Performing Arts production of Robin Jenkins’ The Cone Gatherers, touring to the Edinburgh King’s in October.
The new adaptation by Peter Arnott is the third in the company’s trilogy of Scottish classics – following Sunset Song in 2008 and The Silver Darlings the following year. The production will be directed by Kenny Ireland, opening in Aberdeen in September.
The production is given theatrical depth with staging designed by Hayden Griffin and music from upcoming composer and actor John Kielty.
Kenny Ireland says: “The design and music is of utmost importance. Throw in Peter Arnott’s relentless and poetic script and I hope we will create a theatrical event that is exciting in its performance, contemporary in its design, Scottish in its content and international in its message.”
Jenkins’ novel tells the tale of two brothers gathering cones in a forest on a Scottish estate in order to replenish the trees felled for the war effort. Neil, and his hunchbacked brother Calum, lead happy and contented lives in these beautiful surroundings, completely detached from the destruction of the Second World War.
However, their innocence and happiness is threatened by the dark, obsessive hatred of Duror, the gamekeeper and the deep prejudices of the class system of the time. The obsessions of Duror grow stronger throughout the story, building to a devastating climax of a story which deals with momentous themes – the struggle between good and evil, war, class and social justice.
The nine-strong cast includes Scottish theatre veteran Tom McGovern in the leading role of Duror. As well as Keilty, he will be joined Ben Winger, Helen McKay, Rodney Matthew, Jennifer Black, Greg Powrie, Helen Logan and Maxine Hamilton.
The Cone Gatherers will premier at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen on Friday, September 14 for a nine-day run before touring to Glasgow’s Theatre Royal (September 25 to 29), Eden Court in Inverness (October 2 to 6), Dundee Rep (October 16 to 20), King’s Theatre in Edinburgh (October 23 to 27) and Perth Theatre (October 30 to November 10).
Details of the performances at the King’s are on its website: www.edtheatres.com
ENDS
