Pitlochry Festival Theatre announce world premiere stage adaptation of Charlotte Higgins’ Under Another Sky

Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced the world premiere stage adaptation of Charlotte Higgins’ acclaimed book Under Another Sky.

David Greig will adapt the novel for the stage with the premiere production running in the amphitheater at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 10 August – 23 September.

Directed and designed by by Elizabeth Newman, the cast will feature Amelia Donkor as Charlotte and Keith Macpherson as Matthew.

The creative team is made up of lighting designer Jeanine Byrne, sound designer Ben Occhipinti, original music composed by Laura Rossi, associate and movement directed by Lesley Hutchison and assistant director Connor Going.

Under Another Sky tells the story of Charlotte and Matthew as they travel on a life affirming journey in their reliable VW Camper around the UK. We share in Charlotte’s journey to write her latest book.

“We are left asking how we, as individuals and a society, relate to a deep and sometimes irrecoverable past when the Romans held much of Britain as an imperial possession – through traces and echoes in the landscape, through artefacts, and encounters with legends like Boudicca and Tacitus.

For tickets and more information, visit pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

Playwright David Greig said: “When I first read Under Another Sky I wanted to adapt it for the stage. I love exploring the Roman past of Britain, but the story of the people who study that past is almost as interesting as the past itself. I am so pleased that this passion project has found a stage, and what a stage. The Pitlochry Amphitheatre is quite simply the most beautiful outdoor space in Scotland.”

Director Elizabeth Newman added: “We developed Under Another Sky in 2019 at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. We were impressed by the reaction of the audience to the adaptation, so much so that when I was conceiving the Theatre’s programme this year, I thought back to that audience and felt it would be a delightful offering to our Pitlochry audiences this year.

“Safe to say the combination of Charlotte Higgins and David Greig offers an insightful, thoughtful, and witty piece which, I have no doubt, will offer audiences new insight into our Roman history as well as a playful peak into a past that is almost unimaginable. Amelia Donkor and Keith Macpherson become Charlotte and Matthew on their van tour. The energy and warmth of both actors certainly guarantees a good night out in our Amphitheatre this year.”

Charlotte Higgins enthused: “I couldn’t be more delighted that Under Another Sky will have fresh new life through the imaginations of David Greig and Elizabeth Newman – and in the richly storied landscape of Perthshire, where Romans once marched.”