FRIENDSHIPS forged between Lockerbie residents and Americans following the 1988 disaster is to be the focus of a new musical.
‘Small Acts of Love’ has been written by Frances Poet with music by Deacon Blue star Ricky Ross.
And it will premiere in Glasgow next September as the first production at the city’s famous Citizens Theatre when it reopens.
The show, described as a major new work, was commissioned by the theatre’s artistic director Dominic Hill and will be presented in association with the National Theatre of Scotland.
Spanning 36 years, the theatrical piece tells the story of how two communities from the Scottish Lowlands and New York State were forced together in destruction – but through a series of small acts of kindness, found friendship and love.
The production team say it has been “painstakingly researched” and contains representations of real people built from an extensive series of interviews with families and individuals who were directly affected by the Lockerbie bombing, both in Scotland and the USA.
A cast of 14 actor-singers and a five-piece roots band will bring the stories of these two communities to life.
Playwright Frances said: “I don’t think I have written anything before where I have felt such a weight of responsibility to tell people’s stories with authenticity, sensitivity and care.
“The people of Lockerbie poured their trauma into acts of kindness, received with grace and courage by the relatives.
“This is not a piece about the horrific act of violence on that night in December 1988. It’s about the 36 years since. It’s about the generosity and resilience humans are capable of.
“I can’t wait to see these inspiring and profound stories brought to life on the Citizens Theatre stage next year.”
Ricky Ross, composer, added: “I have been passionate about this project from the moment Frances and I first sat down to talk about the idea over four years ago.
“It has been a fascinating and incredibly moving experience and I have loved composing the songs and music that interweave with the text. “The Citz is my local theatre. I’m delighted to be part of its opening season, and to be able to tell this poignant and heart-warming story on that stage.”
And Dominic Hill said: “This is a big, ambitious production about love and friendship in the face of the most extraordinary adversity. We think it is a story we know, but the play and songs reveal how the people of Lockerbie and the American relatives forged something beautiful from the tragedy of their ordeal.
“It’s been wonderful to develop this commission into a full production and I can’t wait to see it on the main stage of the new Citizens Theatre when we reopen in 2025.”
Above: Ricky, Frances and Dominic
