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 Stirling 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
Thistles spreads festive joy with community Christmas card drive
This festive season, Thistles shopping centre, Stirling partners with esteemed poet Donna Ashworth to combat loneliness this Christmas.
READ MORE
Go Forth Stirling help city streets Sparkle with new Festive Lights
Stirling’s streets have been given extra twinkle and sparkle this winter thanks to an expansion of the city’s festive lighting.
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
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
Pick a tree and enjoy an Afternoon Tea at Dobbies Stirling
Celebrate the festive season with Christmas tree picking and an Afternoon Tea celebration at Dobbies’ Stirling store on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December.
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
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
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
Tennis ace Jamie Murray awarded honorary degree by University of Stirling
Jamie Murray received the Honorary Doctorate in recognition for his contribution to Scottish and UK tennis, at Stirling’s winter graduation ceremony on Friday, 22 November.
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
Christmas is coming to Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles, will be hosting a series of Christmas events across December.
READ MORE
Go Forth Stirling launches Festive Penguin Trail in Stirling
Families can enjoy a fun challenge this festive season by finding and reuniting a group of penguins who have been lost across Stirling city centre.
READ MORE
Cinnabon Expansion Reaches The Thistles Stirling
Scottish Cinnafans rejoice! World-famous American bakery, Cinnabon, is opening the doors to their new store at The Thistles Shopping Centre in Stirling on Friday 22nd November.
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 MORE
Scottish pubs to help tackle loneliness this Christmas
17 pubs across Scotland are calling on their customers to help spread a little Christmas cheer by writing cards to people facing loneliness and isolation this Christmas.
READ MORE
Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues across Scotland
Music lovers have a lot to look forward to at Vue venues in Scotland – including a very special Andrea Bocelli screening this weekend.
READ MORE
Wedgwood the Restaurant announces the return of Christmas Day boxes
Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant has announced the return of its sell-out Christmas Day boxes.
READ MORE
Longlist Revealed for Stirling Business Awards 2025
The longlist for the 2025 Stirling Business Awards has been revealed as voting begins to select the winners of the annual honours.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links