With thanks to Liz Smith.
The Scottish Premiere of Hector, a co-production between Eden Court, Comar and Ed Littlewood Production, opens on Wednesday 21 October at Eden Court, Inverness, followed by an extensive Scottish tour and concludes with two performances at the Ambassadors Theatre, London in December. Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree will host the production on Tuesday October 27.
The play tells the story of a crofter’s son, Hector MacDonald, who became a Knight of the Realm and Queen Victoria’s favourite general.
Kate Nelson directs and Steven Duffy plays Scottish legend and fallen hero Sir Hector MacDonald and features a stellar cast including Gowan Calder, Stevie Hannan, Raj Ghatak, Valentine Hanson and Kevin Lennon.
The Composer and Sound Designer is Pippa Murphy, Artist in Residence at the Scottish Parliament, set design is by Ali Maclaurin and lighting design by Simon Wilkinson.
Based on new and extensive research Hector reveals the true story of “Fighting Mac”, Sir Hector MacDonald, and is an exploration of the elitist English class system, the poisonous influence of rumour and gossip and the devastating power of the global press.
Rising from humble beginnings, MacDonald was the son of a crofter, born and raised on the Black Isle to Gaelic speaking, Presbyterian parents. After briefly working as an apprentice to a draper, he joined the army and rose through the ranks to become an NCO.
As a result of distinguished service during the Second Afghan War he was offered either the Victoria Cross or a commission. Unusually he took the commission and eventually rose to the rank of Major General. He was knighted in 1901. Following his appointment as Commander of Ceylon, allegations of scandalous liaisons surfaced, and he was forced to return home under a cloud.
Sir Hector MacDonald is buried in Edinburgh, as are his wife and son. He did not have a military funeral and despite the efforts of his family to have a private burial, 30,000 people turned out to pay their respects. Today, in Scotland, he is still considered a hero and a statue to commemorate his memory was erected in Dingwall in 1907 and an annual service of thanksgiving and remembrance for his life of is still celebrated in Malbuie, his birth place.
Was he guilty? Or was he the victim of a plot fabricated by an English Establishment to remove a Gaelic-speaking upstart who got above himself? The only way to find out is to book now for an evening packed with suspense, tension and drama.
Hector is a new production of So Great a Crime, originally developed at the Finborough Theatre in 2013
Hector is supported by Creative Scotland
Listings Information:
Eden Court, Inverness
Wednesday 21 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £16/£14
Box Office 01463 234 234
www.eden-court.co.uk
Paisley Arts Centre
Friday 23 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £10/£6 + £1 booking fee
Box Office 0300 300 1210
www.renfrewshireleisure.com/arts
The Brunton, Musselburgh
Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm
Tickets: £12.50/£10.50 Under 18s £7.50
Box Office: 0131 665 2240
www.thebrunton.co.uk
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Tuesday 27 October 7pm
Tickets: £13.20
Box Office 01224 641122
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/the-lemon-tree
The Kirkgate, Cockermouth
Thursday 29 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £12/£8
Box Office 01900 826448
www.thekirkgate.com
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
Friday 30 October 7.30pm
Tickets: £12.50/£10.50
Box Office 01592 583302
www.onfife.com
Birnam Arts, Dunkeld
Wednesday 4 November 7.30pm
£12/£10/£5 U16s
Box Office: 01350 727674
www.birnamarts.com
Woodend Barn, Banchory
Thursday 5 November at 7.30pm
Tickets: from £6.50-£11.00
Box Office 01330 825 431
www.woodendbarn.co.uk
The Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Friday 6 November at 7.30pm
Tickets: £12/£10
Box Office 01334 475000
www.byretheatre.com
Gardyne Theatre, Dundee
Saturday 7 November 7.30pm
Tickets: £12
Box Office 01382 434940
www.gardynetheatre.org.uk
Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, Edinburgh
Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 November 7.30pm
Tickets: £16/£13/£8
Box Office 0131 228 1404
www.traverse.co.uk
Druimfin, Tobermory
Saturday 14 November at 7.30pm
Tickets: £10/£8
Box Office: 01688 302211
Astley Hall, Arisaig
Tuesday 17 November 7.30pm
Tickets: £8/£6
01687 450264 & on the door
SEALL@Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye
Wednesday 18 November at 7.30pm
£12/£5 students
Tickets 01471 844207
www.seall.co.uk
Victory Hall, Benderloch
Thursday 19 November 8pm
Tickets: £9/£7
01631 720498
Innellan Village Hall, by Dunoon
Friday 20 November 8pm
Tickets on the door: £9/£7
Ambassadors Theatre, London
Wednesday 9 December at 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Box Office 08448 112 334