The world premiere of Local Hero, a musical stage production based on the hit 1983 film of the same name, opened in the spring of 2019. Following a call from Mark Knopfler back in 2016, Dave was invited to join the team as music supervisor.
The official blurb:
With the stage adaptation and book co-written by The Lyceum’s Artistic Director David Greig, the production brought together some of Scotland’s greatest artistic talents, including multi-award winning director and writer Bill Forsyth, and acclaimed composer and producer Mark Knopfler – founder of internationally celebrated band Dire Straits, whose album Brothers in Arms is one of the top 20 highest selling albums in UK history.
It was a hugely enjoyable experience working with Mark on the full score along with produce Guy Fletcher. The original schedule would have seen the Lyceum run followed by a move to London’s Old Vic theatre in 2020. However this was derailed by COVID19 and Local Hero eventually resurfaced (with a new cast, new design, and a few rewrites) under the direction of Daniel Evans at Chichester Festival Theatre in the Autumn of 2022.
Here’s some more info from the original Lyceum website page…
Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and The Old Vic present the World Premiere of
Local Hero
Book by Bill Forsyth and David Greig
Music and lyrics by Mark Knopfler
Based on the screenplay of the original film, written and directed by Bill Forsyth
“We’re gonna be rich… filthy dirty rich!”
A wry comedy about a man who sets out to buy a beach, but ends up losing his heart to a village, Bill Forsyth’s magical Local Herotakes to the stage with new music and songs by the legendary Mark Knopfler.
Ambitious Texan oil executive Mac MacIntyre arrives in Scotland on a mission to buy a small seaside village and replace it with a refinery. It’s the deal of a lifetime, but Mac soon finds out that putting a price on this scenic spot is more complicated than he bargained for. Before the locals get rich, they must decide what a village is worth –a Maserati? A million? A marriage? Or is feeling at home worth more than even oil money can buy?
Treasured by a generation in Scotland and loved far and wide, Local Hero is one of the defining moments of Scottish storytelling. Now the original creators of the international hit film and bestselling soundtrack Bill Forsyth and Mark Knopfler have teamed up with The Lyceum’s Artistic Director David Greig to create this brand new musical stage production with a multi-award winning creative team.
Co-produced with The Old Vic.
This production is generously supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and presented by special arrangement with Neal Street Productions and Patrick Daly of Caledonia Productions.
CAST
TBA
CREATIVE TEAM
Book by Bill Forsyth and David Greig
Music and lyrics by Mark Knopfler
Based on the screenplay of the original film, written and directed by Bill Forsyth
Original film produced by David Puttnam
Director: John Crowley
Set and Costume Designer: Scott Pask
Lighting Designer: Paule Constable
Sound Designer: Paul Arditti
Video Designer: Luke Halls
Music Supervisor: Dave Milligan
Music Director: Phil Bateman
Casting: Will Burton
U.S. Casting: Jim Carnahan