Just when theatre seasons are winding down, along comes the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) with something exciting and intriguing. June sees the opening of the world premiere of the first theatrical presentation of Muriel Spark’s psychologically disturbing 1970 short novel The Driver’s Seat . The book that was nominated posthumously for a Lost Man Booker Prize was adapted into 1974 film, Identikit starring Elizabeth Taylor.
It is a gripping and disturbing tale that tells the unsettling journey of the main character Lise to an unnamed European city where she is on a bizarre mission. This highly unusual thriller ends in a police incident room and the hunt for a killer.
NTS director Laurie Sansom who has adapted this volume for the stage said to be Spark’s favourite and says, "I’m thrilled to be adapting the work of one of Scotland’s finest writers, and The Driver’s Seat is one of her most perfect and idiosyncratic books. It combines her razor sharp wit and crisp narrative voice with an enigmatic central figure that slips in and out of focus until its final, shocking conclusion. … this has to be one of [Spark’s] most dramatic and mysterious stories, lending itself to theatrical reinvention. ….”
Acclaimed actress Morven Christie returns to NTS play the central role of Lise and will be joined on stage by Gabriel Quigley, Ivan Castiglione, Ryan Fletcher, Sheila Reid, Michael Thomson, and Andrea Volpetti. The production will be designed by winner of the 2013 Linbury Prize for Stage Design, Ana Inés Jabares Pita with music and sound from Philip Pinsky and lighting from Chris Davey.
Roll on the Summer!
Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Performance dates and times: Saturday 13 to Saturday 27 June at 7.30pm (Tues to Saturdays)
Matinees: Sat 20 June & Wednesday 24 June at 2pm
Accessible Performances: Sat 20 June at 2pm (AD with touch tour prior to event), Sat 20 June at 7.30pm (captioned performance), Tue 23 June at 7.30pm (BSL- Deaf Theatre Club event)
Post-Show Discussion: Wednesday 24 June (7.30pm)
Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow G41 2PE Glasgow
Performance dates and times: Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 July at 7.30pm and Sat 4 July at 3pm
Tickets: £18/£15 (£15 matinee)