THE CHEVIOT, THE STAG AND THE BLACK, BLACK OIL Written by John McGrath Directed by Joe Douglas
DIRECTOR’S NOTE I believe that witnessing The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil can inspire genuine, lasting change. What John McGrath and his extraordinary young ensemble achieved in 1973 has had a lasting impact, on generations of Scottish theatre artists and on the country at large. The message spread far and wide – not only through the broadcast on the BBC’s Play for Today but through the hard work and dedication of their packed touring schedule. The mother of Calum MacDonald, our Gaelic performer, vividly remembers watching original cast member Dolina Maclennan sing the songs of her people in her own language in her school hall at the Nicholson Institute in Stornaway. 45 years on, her son plays an integral role in this revival. The time for this play to speak once again and help shift the consciousness has arrived. Our script updates reframe the debate to include the most pressing emergency facing us all, the
This tour is presented by National Theatre of Scotland in association with Dundee Rep Theatre and Live Theatre, Newcastle and based on the 2015 production by Dundee Rep Theatre.
Climate Emergency that was recently declared by the Scottish Government. Unfettered capitalism cannot save us and we must now find a new way to live for the survival of our species. This play nudges us towards the right direction. ‘The people must own the land.’
Joe Douglas Director The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil Artistic Director of Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil was given its first public airing at the ‘What Kind of Scotland?’ conference in Edinburgh on 31 March 1973, and first performed in Aberdeen at the Arts Centre, then throughout the seven crofting counties and many places in the south of Scotland.