We are delighted to reveal the finalists of this year’s David MacLennan Award:

• RJ Hunter – Elliot Lays An Egg
• Jo Lennie – Stand By Your Man
• Katy Nixon – Jellyfish

The three writers will join us for a day each of R&D on their plays with a professional director and a group of actors. From this, a final winner will be decided shortly after and will have their play professionally produced as part of our Autumn 2024 season.

It was a tremendously difficult process narrowing down the 20-play longlist, our team and readers were very impressed by the breadth of talent shown. Every writer will receive individual feedback by an external dramaturg to help them develop their writing further.

We are delighted to reveal the finalists of this year’s David MacLennan Award 2022.

The final shortlisted plays are Not Much Here on The Way To Heaven by Ellen Bannerman, Witches by Fiona Barry and Burning Bright by Áine King.

The three Scottish based writers will join us for a day each of R&D on their plays with a professional director and a group of actors. From this, a final winner will be decided in mid-December and will have their play professionally produced as part of our Spring 2023 season.

It was a tremendously difficult process narrowing down the 50-play longlist, our team and readers were very impressed by the breadth of talent shown. Every writer on the longlist will receive individual feedback to help them develop their writing further.

We were genuinely delighted by the brilliance of the submissions made to the award. If anyone was ever concerned about new writing thriving in Scotland, they can put those thoughts to bed – we’re in safe hands.
Jemima Levick, Artistic Director

We are very excited to work with the three finalists on their incredible plays and look forward to unveiling the winner by the end of the year!

Goldilocks Goes To Greece by Andy McGregor

Goldie and her mum Pat are heading oot on holiday, and they’re aff to the glorious sunshine of Greece!

But on their way to the airport they are spotted by the ferociously jealous Daddy Bear, who still hasn’t forgiven Oor Goldie for her outrageous porridge-based misdemeanours.

Soon, a hilarious game of cat-and-mouse – or is that bear-and-mouse? – begins. There will be handsome princes, hysterical songs and maybe even the odd pun (or three) on the word ‘bear’… we can BEARLY contain our excitement!

All tickets for Panto are now available to purchase on TicketWeb (booking fee will apply)*

Performance Dates

Please note: Our Panto is aimed at an adult audience and does contain some strong language and adult themes. Recommended for 14+ years

Cinderella 2: I Married A Numpty by Morag Fullarton

Cast: George Drennan, Craig McLean, Hannah Howie, Kevin Lennon and Clare Waugh

Well, she married Prince Kelvie, a G-Twelvie, (aka Prince Charming) but what happened once the ball was over? Turns out Princes ain’t what they used to be and life at the Palace was pure murder.

With heart throb Buttheid in tow, Cinders makes her escape – much to the chagrin of oor dame,  Auntie Etta, who gets chucked out her grace and favour But ‘n’ Ben in Balloch.

Meanwhile Ugly Sister, Wan-Tooth Winnie, has had a makeover and plans her long awaited vengeance… but will she be a match for the new super-powered Cinders? And what fiendish scheme does long lost sister Lonesome Lettice have in store?

For an hour of sublime, seasonal silliness, pantomonium, sassy songs and badass buffoonery then BOOK NOW to see this magical update of 2017’s smash-hit Christmas Panto – before it’s sellt oot!

Ticket & Capacity Information

The Òran Mór Christmas Panto has a seated capacity of 250 when a performance is completely sold out.

All tickets for Panto are now available to purchase on TicketWeb (booking fee will apply)*

Performance Dates

Please note: Our Panto is aimed at an adult audience and does contain some strong language and adult themes. Recommended for 14+ years

An empty theatre, a script, eight characters in search of an audience… from the shadows a mysterious figure emerges and a magical adventure begins.

We are delighted to announce our first film Play On! will premiere on 5th May.

Devised by Morag Fullarton, Play On! is a theatrical adventure through the building of Òran Mór. Filmed under COVID-19 restrictions while the theatre and building are temporarily closed, the 30-minute film takes the viewer on a magical journey encountering eight characters, some familiar and some new.

Directed by Morag Fullarton and David Hayman, Play On! is a joyous celebration of the hit theatre pieces which have been born at A Play, a Pie and a Pint whilst looking forward to the future of theatre, inviting audiences to return when they can.

The film will be released on Wednesday 5th May and will be made available for free worldwide (for a year) on A Play, a Pie and a Pint’s YouTube channel.

Play On! has been made possible thanks to Creative Scotland’s Cultural Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund.

There may be no Pies and no Pints, but we’re excited to announce there will be Plays!

Òran Mór‘s A Play, A Pie and A Pint will stream a mini season of plays from our archives over the next few weeks.

Actors, writers, composers, directors and film makers have kindly given their permission for us to show their work for PPP online. All that we ask in return is that you make a donation to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, we’ve set up a JustGiving page here https://bit.ly/JustGiving-PPP-NHS

We kick off next week on Wednesday 6th May with Sunset Boulevard: The Lunchtime Cut

Watch this space for more titles.

We look forward to a time when we can all get together again to laugh, cry, create and debate.. in the meantime we hope you’ll enjoy the plays. So dim the lights, heat a pie, pour a glass… and remember to switch your phone off!

The following plays will be streamed on our YouTube channel, and will be available to view for 5 days (from 1pm Wed – 2pm Sun).

We’ll premiere each play at 1pm on Wednesdays but you can of course watch at any time of day, over the 5 days, at your leisure! (Each play will then expire at 2pm the following Sunday).

SUNSET BOULEVARD: THE LUNCHTIME CUT
by Morag Fullarton

Wed 6th – Sun 10th May

Featuring Juliet Cadzow, John Kielty, Mark McDonnell and Frances Thorburn

Directed by Morag Fullarton

A bitter comedy and a dark tragedy, the story centres on a wealthy, egotistical, faded star, Norma Desmond, desperate to ‘return to the millions of fans she deserted’, and young, down-on-his luck writer, Joe Gillis, who sees a opportunity to exploit the situation.

‘Juliet Cadzow is by turns toweringly grand or boa constrictor possessive before she sashays into tragedy’ ★★★★★

The Herald

‘A class act all round. Suddenly, other plays got small’. ★★★★★

Arts Blog

Sunset Boulevard: The Lunchtime Cut is both a savage indictment of the star system (and the monsters it creates) and a depiction of a writer’s impotence in Hollywood. Based on Billy Wilder’s classic film noir, Morag Fullarton’s adaption retains the dark comic heart of the original while turning it into a theatrical treat.

WEE FREE! THE MUSICAL
by Brooks & King

Wed 13th -Sun 17th May

Cast: Neshla Caplan, George Drennan, Chris Forbes and Pauline Knowles

Directed by Ken Alexander

1984. Morna escapes the city to teach music on the remote Isle of Munst. When she accidentally marries a pillar of the community, she finds herself at odds with the quirks of The Kirk and the strange ways of the locals. Can a New Romantic survive on an island ruled by The Old Testament?

Cleverly written… great songs… outstanding cast… crisp direction. ★★★★

The Herald

Delightful performances… fine songs of love and disappointment… has the audience rolling in the aisles. ★★★★

The Scotsman

PPP would like to thank the family of Pauline Knowles who have kindly given their blessing to streaming Wee Free. It is a chance for friends and colleagues to once more appreciate Pauline’s superb talent. She was a joy to work with!

SPUDS
by Andy McGregor

Wed 20th – Sun 24th May

Cast: Darren Brownlie, Richard Conlon & Dawn Sievewright

Directed by Andy McGregor

When David MacGonigle’s wife dies, his perfect middle-class life collapses around him. But a freak occurrence, involving mouldy chips and Iron Brew, leads to his discovery of a new designer drug, Spuds. Soon he has built the ultimate criminal empire, but at what cost? A new musical comedy about grief, greed and grease.

Andy McGregor is a director, composer and playwright. He trained at Glasgow University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Shows he has written, composed and directed include Crocodile Rock, The Rise and Inevitable Fall of Lucas Petit, Pure Freezin’, Love 2.0 and Vinyl Idol (with Debbie Hannan). He has also made various Christmas shows for wee ones at The Citizens Theatre. He has directed The Dolls Dragged Up (Scottish Tour), Disturbed (Play, Pie and a Pint), Godspell and Twelfth Night (RCS). He has composed for The Royal Court, The National Theatre of Scotland and the National Youth Theatre. He recently composed and sound-designed The Ugly One (Tron). His new play for young people, Influence, was performed last year in 6 theatres UK-wide, from Dundee Rep to Plymouth Royal.

Andy McGregor’s latest play 1 + 1 MAKES 3 was due to premiere at A Play, a Pie and a Pint this May – we hope to bring it to you soon!

BUTTERFLY KISS (Part 1)
by Dave Anderson

Wed 17th – Sun 21st June

Cast: Dave Anderson, Christina Strachan, Davey Anderson, Rebekah Lumsden, James Lowrie and Fraser Speirs

Directed by Stasi Schaeffer

An Old Guy visits a “Seaside Museum” on his bus pass, where he finds a Punch & Judy stall. When no-one is looking, he peeks in, and finds himself in the year 1960. He’s 15 years old, and holidaying on the coast of the West of Scotland.

It’s a world of rock’n’roll, “teenagers”, burgeoning consumerism, rampant hormones, lazy daytimes gazing into rock pools, love of all things American, and A Girl.

Not The Girl he’s left behind and whom he’s afraid of losing to an Older Man (17 years-old). No. An altogether more exotic creature. The one who introduces him to the Butterfly Kiss.

Dwight Eisenhower is President of the United States. Elvis releases “It’s Now or Never”

A message in a bottle is washed up on the beach. People have jobs, making things. There’s only one TV channel, to which only some people have access.

BUTTERFLY KISS (Part 2 including The Day I Found The Blues)
by Dave Anderson

Wed 24th – Sun 28th June

Cast: Dave Anderson, Christina Strachan, Davey Anderson, Rebekah Lumsden, James Lowrie and Fraser Speirs

Directed by Stasi Schaeffer

“The day I found the Blues
The sun was in the sky
The Lord was in His Heaven
No tear was in my eye
No holes was in the soles of my shoes
The day I found the Blues…”

It wasn’t the Cold War: at fifteen, he’d grown up with that, and it was just a fact of life…
It wasn’t the girl back home who’d chucked him: he’d found a holiday romance here on the West Coast in a sunny August, 1960…
It wasn’t the dismal “turns” at the local Miner’s Welfare: he was too young yet to be subjected to that…
It was a record – and then another record, and then another – it was the music…

Melania
by Brooks & King

Wed 1st – Sun 5th July

Cast: Kirsty Malone, Margaret Preece, Frances Thorburn

Directed by Ken Alexander

It’s a long way from the Eastern Bloc to the East Wing – and for one former glamour model turned FLOTUS it hasn’t been a happy journey.  Can the ghosts of Eleanor Roosevelt and Jackie Kennedy lift our heroine’s spirits and show her what it really means to be First Lady? A brand new musical comedy from the creators of Wee Free! The Musical.

The Beaches of St Valery
by Stuart Hepburn

Wed 22nd – Sun 26th July

Cast: Ron Donachie, James Rottger and Ashley Smith

Directed by Stuart Hepburn

In June 1940, Churchill hailed the “miracle of Dunkirk,” when all 350,000 men of the British Expeditionary Force were evacuated to safety.

But for the men of  51^st Highland Division, there was no miracle. Sacrificed in a secret  political deal, Churchill  ordered them to stay and fight to the last bullet.

Against overwhelming odds, 9,000 Scotsmen surrendered at St-Valery-en-Caux, and were marched to POW camps in Poland.

All of them were betrayed.

Some of them escaped.

One of them fell in love.

The Beaches Of St Valery is his story.

An outstanding production that’s acted out with integrity, humour and a lovely awareness of what these characters represent even now. 

The Herald

Applications for our January open auditions are now closed. Due to an overwhelming response we will only be able to contact successful applicants.

Thank you to everyone who applied!

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding open auditions to meet with professional actors working and living in Scotland.

We are keen to meet professional actors who we have not worked with before or who we haven’t worked with within the last five years. We are particularly interested in meeting professional actors who may not have had any formal training or who do not have professional representation. Priority will be given to those who we haven’t previously worked with and slots will be assigned on a first come first served basis.

We will be holding auditions at A Play, a Pie and a Pint’s rehearsal space in Glasgow on Wednesday 15^th January for the full day, beginning at 9.15am until 5pm, the morning of Friday 17^th January, 9.15am until 1pm and the afternoon of Wednesday 22^nd January, 1pm until 5pm.

To be considered for the auditions please email casting@oran-mor.co.uk with the following information:

Subject: Open Auditions 2020

Contact details/ full name

Where you are based

If you have an agent or not

Link to your spotlight (if applicable)

An indication to whether you have worked with us before

Any dates you cannot make for an audition?

 Slots will be 15 minutes and if given a slot, you’ll be asked to prepare the following:

Two contrasting monologues, both no longer than two minutes each OR

One monologue and one unaccompanied song

Please note, if you cannot attend any of our auditions dates but would still like to be considered, we will be holding similar auditions in the future.

DIXIE WHITTINGTON: THE HAMECOMING by Morag Fullarton

*The 2019 Christmas Panto has now Sold Out*

Dixie has discovered the streets of London are not paved with gold and is down to her last two bob when wicked landlord Skinflint chucks her & her cat, Fleabag, out of their ‘super cosy’ lodgings (under stair cupboard). Now penniless and homeless Dixie resolves to get hame to her Granny in Glasgow for Christmas. But how?

Dixie is sure something will turn up, and it does – when the legendary Bow Bells whisper “turn again Whittington” she does, but doing a turn in a lowly dive to a room full of drunken sailors was not quite the ‘turn’ she expected.

When silver tongued pirate Captain Cut-Thrapple offers her a passage north in return for ‘ratcatcher’ cat Fleabag and some ‘light duties’ can he be trusted? Is the ship’s cook Dame Dumplin’ as sweet as she seems? Will the pirate galleon ‘Partick’s Revenge’ really sail up the Clyde in time for Christmas? And surely that coastline looks more like Grenada than Greenock…

Enter hunky action hero Inverary Jones and magical mermaid Suzi-the Single-Fish, with their help Dixie might just make it back to her Glasgow Granny in time for the bells!

Directed by Morag Fullarton | Cast: Dave Anderson, John Kielty, Amy Scott & Clare Waugh

Please note: Our Panto is aimed at an adult audience and does contain some strong language and adult themes. Recommended for 14+ years

All tickets for Panto are now available to purchase on TicketWeb / 08444 771 000 (booking fee will apply)*

Ticket Information

*Please note if a performance has SOLD OUT on TicketWeb, there will be no tickets available at Òran Mór on the day of the performance.

We’re delighted to announce BBC Scotland’s presentation of six of our A Play, A Pie and A Pint productions to be broadcast on BBC Scotland.

“We’re really, really excited about it,” says April Chamberlain, who, alongside Morag Fullarton, has been co-artistic director of A Play, A Pie and A Pint since 2016.

“We’re hoping it will widen our audience to people who haven’t been able to come along to Oran Mor, as well as providing a chance for people who have seen the plays already to see them again onscreen.

We’re not changing anything in what we do, and the BBC Scotland series is a great snapshot of what our little lunchtime phenomenon is all about.”

Ahead of the series, the BBC will also be screening ‘A Play, A Pie and A Pint: Scotland’s Theatre Revolution‘, a documentary produced and directed by Elly Taylor – originally shown in 2014 to mark the tenth anniversary of PPP. Watch on BBC iPlayer.

BBC Scotland’s sextet of A Play, A Pie and A Pint productions includes:

You’ll have to provide your own pie and pint but we hope you’ll tune in from the comfort of your own home and enjoy PPP on your tv!

Please note broadcast dates are always subject to change.

Six of Òran Mór’s best ever A Play, A Pie and A Pint productions will be presented onto the small screen by BBC Scotland in a new six part series.

Beginning next month, the series kicks off with Chic Murray: A Funny Place For A Window, written by Stuart Hepburn and starring Dave Anderson, Maureen Carr and Brian James O’Sullivan. On what is his last day on this earth, Chic takes a musical look back at the ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies of his glittering, but tragically flawed career.

Other popular plays to be adapted by the BBC include:

Toy Plastic Chicken
Starring Neshla Caplan, David James Kirkwood and Anna Russell-Martin
In the play, a toy plastic chicken going through airport checks is suspected of being a bomb, leading to the interrogation and screening of its female owner for domestic radicalisation. Writer Uma Nada-Rajah based her blackly comedic exploration of degradation and revolt on a real experience. As well as her work as a playwright, she also works as a nurse. Based in Kirknewton, she trained with the acclaimed French theatre school, École Philippe Gaulier, is a graduate of the Young Writers’ Program at the Royal Court Theatre and a recipient of a New Playwrights’ Award from Playwrights’ Studio Scotland. Her other plays include The Constant K Determines the Ultimate Fate of the Universe and The Dubai Papers. Toy Plastic Chicken will be her first work to be showcased on television.

A Respectable Widow Takes To Vulgarity
Starring Anne Kidd and Craig McLean
This play depicts a recently widowed elderly lady, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young lad at her husband’s company, and goes on a mission to learn how to give verbal vent to her repressed emotions. It has been written by seasoned playwright Douglas Maxwell. His many plays include Yer Granny, Fever Dream: Southside, and Mancub and have been staged internationally from New York to South Korea, from New Zealand to Hong Kong. A Respectable Widow Takes To Vulgarity will be his first work in recent times to have been shown on television.

Meat Market
Starring Julie Duncanson, Robin Laing and Megan Shandley
A comic tale, fraught with duplicity and dodgy ethics, that sees three strangers meet in a 24 hour gym late at night to negotiate the sale of a human kidney. Meat Market (main image) was the first theatre play penned for writer Chris Grady, who cut his teeth writing for comedy sketches. He is the co-creator and co-writer of BBC Radio Scotland’s Saddled. Chris is also a story producer on Scot Squad and regularly writes for River City Other writing credits include projects with Greg McHugh – Gary; Tank Commander, the Election Special and Gary Goes to Hollywood.

Ring Road
Starring Anita Vettesse and Gavin Jon Wright
Ring Road is a play about forty year old Lisa, who in thrall to a mid-life crisis, makes an indecent proposal to her brother in-law, to father a baby for her and end her childlessness. Actress Anita Vettesse, who appeared in Bob Servant, has been forging a career as a noted writer in recent years, including work for River City as well as Falling for BBC Radio Drama, and an episode of The Break for BBC Three. Her other plays have included Happy Hour, From the Air, and Eddie and the Slumber Sisters and she has recently become writer in residence at the National Theatre in Scotland. Ring Road will be her first original work to be showcased on television.

Based at Òran Mór in the West End of Glasgow, A Play, a Pie and a Pint produces the most new-writing of any theatre in the UK.  Founded by Colin Beattie and the late David MacLennan in 2004, the theatre company now yields 35 new plays, running for 42 weeks of the year.

Òran Mór’s Colin Beattie said “When we created Òran Mór our main objective was to bring together the visual arts, theatre, literature and music, making them available to us, the ordinary guy. A Play, A Pie and A Pint cements our philosophy of ‘Arts for All – All Year Round.”

After running for 15 years, the founding principles of A Play, a Pie and a Pint remain steadfast – a new play at lunchtime every week that lasts no more than an hour, accompanied by a pie and a pint. As well as producing 33 new plays per year, Òran Mór also biannually hosts its much-adored adult pantomimes – both Summer and Winter – which have become a staple of the Glasgow theatrical calendar.

“MacLennan could hardly have imagined just how successful his initiative would be” (The Scotsman)

April Chamberlain, one of two artistic directors who took over after MacLennan, said: “There’s a freshness to PPP. We put on 35 new plays a year.

“Our audience comes really regularly. They see more theatre than any other audience in Scotland. There’s a real connection. They soon tell us if it’s not to their liking.”

“BBC to give ‘pie and a pint’ lunchtime plays wider airing” The Times

“Historic Glasgow venue’s famous A Play A Pie and A Pint shows to be turned into BBC dramas” The Daily Record

Please visit What’s On for upcoming shows and ticket information

Welcome to the Autumn season of A Play, a Pie and a Pint!

Artistic directors April Chamberlain and Morag Fullarton are delighted to present more favourite plays from PPP’s back catalogue as well as bringing you 5 thrilling world premieres.

The season launches with a sparkling new musical ‘Crocodile Rock’ from the writer of the superb ‘Spuds’ (***** – The Herald) followed by a wonderfully varied programme of dramas, true stories, musicals and black comedies from a truly fantastic line up of writers (including award winning, Broadway veterans Marie Jones and David Harrower).

The plays explore such varied topics as the sweet revenge of a woman scorned, a darkly comic tale of teenage angst, and the Tay Bridge disaster from the unique perspective of the signalman. We look at fascinating stories of real life figures: renowned psychiatrist RD Laing, Mary McGowan of the Clyde V Stompers and the epic rise and fall of a champion cyclist Marco Pantani.

We revisit two more 5 star musicals: a gloriously bawdy Carmen set in Glasgow’s east end, and take you backstage in 1920s Berlin as a world famous play begins to take shape.

As the Herald says… “What’s not to enjoy?”

And to fill those freezing December days with fun we end the season with the Òran Mór 2019 Christmas panto – ‘Dixie Whittington – the Hamecoming’.

Please visit our What’s On page for full programme details.

Tickets on sale now from TicketWeb

A massive thank you to every one of our customers who kindly donated to our chosen charities Downs Syndrome Scotland, Maryhill Integration Network and Spirit Aid and to the David MacLennan Award during Òran Mór’s 2019 Summer Panto Dracula ReVamped.

Together you raised a whopping £ 4258.40…

David MacLennan Award £898.55

Relaunching this Autumn, the David Maclennan Award supports first time writers to have their play produced at A Play, A Pie and A Pint

Downs Syndrome Scotland £1414.65

Down’s Syndrome Scotland is the only organisation in Scotland focussed solely on the needs of people with Down’s syndrome, their families and professionals. We provide an all-through-life support, information and services to people with Down’s syndrome, their families and professionals. Our Family Support Service provides home visits to families; training to teachers, coaches and medical professionals; and support and information via telephone, e-mail and social media. Our Down’s Syndrome Sports initiative provides dance, football, karate and swimming to children and adults with Down’s syndrome. We also provide a Parent Contact Service, which provides parent mentors to families. Scottish charity SC011012.

Maryhill Integration Network £990.30

MIN brings refugee, migrant and local communities together through, art, social, cultural and educational groups and projects, offering people a chance to learn new skills, meet new people, share experiences and take part in worthwhile activities to improve their lives and the life of their communities.

Maryhill Integration Network have been in touch to let us know the money raised will be used partly to go towards their youth project, their new outreach in schools and their welfare fund for destitute asylum seekers. Scottish charity SCO37300 . 

Spirit Aid £954.90

A Scottish humanitarian relief organisation dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children and young people whose lives have been affected by poverty, neglect, abuse, lack of opportunity, humanitarian crisis or even blighted by war.

We were founded in 2001 by our head of operations David Hayman and work across the world to reach children in need. We currently have operations running in Scotland, Palestine, Afghanistan and Malawi.
Scottish charity SC031962.

You really are a very generous audience, oh yes you are!

Customers attending our Friday afternoon performance of the Summer Panto Dracula ReVamped were in for a lovely surprise when audience member Joseph took to the stage to propose to girlfriend Denise!

Joseph and Denise are visiting Scotland from the Czech Republic and although Joseph had come across several beautiful locations in the Scottish Highlands which would have been perfect to pop the question, he wanted to go the extra mile and make his proposal unique. And so, flanked by Dracula and the Panto cast, Joseph got down on one knee…

Did she say yes? Oh yes she did!

Congratulations Joseph and Denise! What a lovely way to end our celebration season, we wish you all the very best for the future! Please do come in to say hello the next time you visit Scotland.

You voted it one of your favourite A Play, A Pie and A Pint plays and now ‘Tartuffe’ Liz Lochhead’s energetic Scots adaptation of Moliere’s classic is heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

Ed Littlewood Productions in Association with Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and The Stephen Dunn Theatre Fund present

Molière’s TARTUFFE

Scots adaptation by Liz Lochhead

Directed by Tony Cownie

Starring Andy Clark, Joyce Falconer, Nicola Roy and Grant O’Rourke

“The cast give it pure laldy” – **** The Herald

Lochhead’s un-pc, rude and rhyming take on this utterly hilarious great French classic here set in the 1940’s and relocated to a Scotch livingroom. But what it’s saying is as universal and as now as the Me Too campaign…

Con-man Tartuffe, having found his perfect mark in gullible paterfamilias Orgon, is set to ruin them all. Unless, together, trophy wife Elmire and cheeky maid Dorine can prevail? This play puts it on the table: Sex. Men and women using it against each other. You have to laugh!

“Molière himself might well have relished its pace, flair and earthy hilarity”

**** The Scotsman

Lochhead was the Makar, or National Poet of Scotland, from 2011 to 2016, was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry 2015, and was recently made Honorary President of the Scottish Society of Playwrights. 33 years after her 1986 full-length Scots adaptation in rhyming couplets of Molière’s Tartuffe for The Lyceum – a huge hit which became the oft-produced and revived go-to “McMoliere Tartuffe” for Scottish Theatre for a generation – she’s made this brand new, no-frills, full-tilt cut-to-the-chase, “let’s tell the whole story with only the four lead characters in just under an hour” version for her long-time collaborator, director Cownie and this stellar cast of Scotland’s finest.

This play was first presented as A Play, A Pie and A Pint production at Òran Mór, Glasgow

1^st – 25^th August, Assembly Rooms, George Street (Ballroom – venue #20)

assemblyfestival.com – 0131 623 3030 / edfringe.com – 0131 226 0000

Òran Mór’s A Play A Pie and A Pint receives the Special Contribution to Scottish Culture Award at the Herald Culture Awards 2019

The very best of the Scottish cultural scene gathered last night at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange to celebrate the wealth of the country’s talent.  The awards recognise all the achievements of Scottish Culture across all genres and celebrates all that’s best in our vibrant cultural scene.

On the night the judges presented the Special Contribution to Scottish Culture award to A Play, A Pie and A Pint, which tops off what is already a very special year with the momentous landmark of having produced 500 plays.

Based at Òran Mór in the West End of Glasgow, A Play, a Pie and a Pint produces the most new-writing of any theatre in the UK.  Founded by the late David MacLennan in 2004, the theatre company now yields 35 new plays, running for 42 weeks of the year. “MacLennan could hardly have imagined just how successful his initiative would be” (The Scotsman)

Òran Mór’s Colin Beattie said “it is important to me that we continue to support PPP and I am delighted to accept this award. When we created Òran Mór our main objective was to bring together the visual arts, theatre, literature and music, making them available to us, the ordinary guy. This award further cements our philosophy of ‘Arts for All – All Year Round.”

Last week marked the official 500th play produced at PPP and to celebrate reaching this momentous landmark A Play, A Pie and A Pint hosted a 500th Play Party in Òran Mór’s stunning Auditorium.

The celebration brought together actors, writers, directors, staff and audience members to raise a glass to 15 years, 30 seasons, 500 plays and countless pies!

To celebrate 500 plays produced across 30 seasons since the first PPP was premiered in 2004, our Spring/ Summer 2019 season ‘Celebration Season’ showcases the best of previous plays, and of course presents new plays, in keeping with its reputation as the Scottish hub of new writing.

This successful season has already featured revivals of much loved plays such as Chic Murray: A Funny Place for a Window by Stuart Hepburn and Spuds by Andy McGregor, as well as a new play about the life of Charles Rennie MackIntosh and the future of the Glasgow School of Art, The Mack by Rob Drummond.

We held an audience vote – for which we received 501 votes – to choose the most loved play to have come out of the lunchtime theatre phenomenon since its first piece of new writing premiered in 2004. Out of the illustrious catalogue, the winning play, which returned last week as the 500th play produced by PPP, was Casablanca (The Lunchtime Cut) written and directed by Morag Fullarton. This much-loved adaptation of Casablanca sees Gavin Mitchell and Clare Waugh revive their roles as Rick and Isla (amongst playing many of the other characters), as well as new cast member, Kevin Lennon donning multiple hats, coats and personalities to create a show that’s “fizzingly fun-tastic” (The Herald *****). if you missed your chance to see at Òran Mór, Casablanca continues at Traverse Theatre until Saturday 4th May.

Returning plays still to come include Jocky Wilson Said by Jane Livingstone and Jonathan Cairney, starring Grant O’Rourke (Outlander). The Òran Mór stage will also see the return of Elaine C. Smith in Ida Tamson by Denise Mina, Frances Thorburn as Dusty Springfield in Dusty Won’t Play by Annie Caulfield, and River City star Jordan Young in What The Animals Say. To view our full programme details, check dates or purchase tickets please visit ‘What’s On’

We’re delighted to announce that the Òran Mór Summer Panto 2019 is Dracula: Revamped by John & James Kielty…

DRACULA IS PAN-BREID! Or IS he?  For MINA is turning into a VAMPIRE and JONATHAN is worried.  Returning to Transylvania, they find DAME IGORETTE in a wretched state: with no VAMPIRE to terrorise the village, tourism has dwindled.  There’s only one thing for it: resurrect DRACULA… just long enough to break the spell over MINA and bring back the tourists.  But the Calculating Count has other ideas:  once re-incarnate, he kidnaps MINA and flees to Weegieland – where the sun never shines! JONATHAN and IGORETTE must unite and defeat DRACULA before MINA becomes his vampire bride forever…

Doors open at 11am for 12pm shows, at 12pm for 1pm shows and at 1.30pm for 2pm shows. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Please note that ALL tickets for this year’s panto will be available in advance from TicketWeb / 08444 771 000 (booking fee will apply)*

* If the tickets have SOLD OUT on TicketWeb, there will be NO tickets available at Òran Mór on the day of the performance. There will ONLY be tickets available on the door on the day if a show has NOT sold out in advance via TicketWeb.

Welcome to the Spring season of A Play, a Pie and a Pint!

2019 marks a very special year for PPP – we will reach the momentous landmark of having produced 500 plays since founder David MacLennan produced the first play back in 2004. David’s idea proved inspirational and it is a tribute to his passion that PPP has grown and flourished over the last 15 years.

To celebrate this achievement we are bringing back some of the most loved plays from our back catalogue as well as presenting exciting  new works from both established and emergent writers.. the resultant season will be a thrilling mix of comedy, drama and musicals.

The season explodes into life with ‘Tartuffe’  a rollicking version of Moliere’s classic translated into energetic Scots by the magnificent Liz Lochhead. “ Tartuffe.. A brilliant blend of traditional lowland Scots, contemporary Glasgow patter and lethally sophisticated female wit.’  The Guardian.  This will be followed by another 19 plays delving into such varied subjects as – farcical levels of airport security,  Charles Rennie Mackintosh, corrupt police and cool dads. In the week that marks the 500th play we present the play voted by our audience as the one they’d most like to see again – Casablanca, the Lunchtime Cut.

Come and join us to raise a pint (and pie) to 500 plays from 11th February!

Our artistic directors Morag Fullarton and April Chamberlain chatted to The Herald about the upcoming season.

Please visit our What’s On page for full programme details.

Announcing the winner of the People’s Choice award!

Gavin Mitchell in ‘Casablanca (The Lunchtime Cut)’ by Morag Fullarton, originally presented in Spring 2010.

15 years, 30 seasons, 500 plays

The Spring Season 2019 of A Play, a Pie and a Pint will mark the 500th new play produced at Òran Mór in the past fifteen years. Founded by the late David MacLennan in 2004, A Play, a Pie and a Pint has showcased the best of Scottish theatrical talent, staging works from both budding and established playwrights, becoming the producer of more new-writing than any other UK theatre and establishing itself as a lunchtime “phenomenon… which has changed the landscape of Scottish theatre” (The Guardian).

The upcoming season will celebrate the best of the old and look forward to the new. To celebrate reaching 500 plays, we decided to hold a vote in which our audience nominated the play from the PPP canon that they’d most like to see again. We received over 500 nominations, and are delighted to announce that the winner of the people’s choice award, which will return to the Òran Mór’s stage in the week of PPP’s anniversary in Spring 2019, is…

Casablanca (The Lunchtime Cut) by Morag Fullarton

Originating as part of the 2010 PPP Classic cuts season, writer Morag asked David MacLennan if she could take a film as her inspiration rather than a book or a play. On hearing the film was Casablanca, David responded with an enthusiastic “Write it!”. Gavin Mitchell will be returning to play Rick Blaine “Mitchell is simply outstanding as the heart broken American.. in a fabulously funny retelling of the Second World War thriller” (The Telegraph)

The play was so well-received that it has returned to Òran Mór (via Paris, London, Barbados) delighting audiences again: “Six years on from its premiere, this much-loved spoof still has its audiences cheering it to the rafters” (The Telegraph).

Casablanca will be just one of the much-loved plays that will be returning to the Òran Mór stage next season, watch out for further announcements, but here’s a small taster of what’s in store: revivals of the hugely popular Chic Murray: A Funny Place for a Window by Stuart Hepburn (***** The Herald, **** The Scotsman) and Andy McGregor’s hilarious musical, Spuds (***** The Herald).

Dave Anderson, Brian James O’Sullivan and Kate Donnelly in ‘Chic Murray: A Funny Place For A Window’ by Stuart Hepburn, originally presented in April, 2018.

Richard Conlon and Darren Brownlie in ‘Spuds’ by Andy McGregor, originally presented in June, 2017.

As well as selecting the best from our catalogue, we will also premiere some exciting works such as Rob Drummond’s new play about Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the threatened future of his renowned building, The Mack.

The complete season will be announced in January 2019, and will run from 11th February until 29th June 2019. Please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more information.

We look forward to celebrating 15 years, 30 seasons and 500 plays with you.
Here’s to the next 500!

Please note ALL shows have now SOLD OUT

(including the two additional performances on Monday 10th and Monday 17th December at 3pm)

Cast: Dave Anderson, Maureen Carr, Hannah Howie & John Kielty

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some are still poisoning door handles…”

Empress Evilyin has promised that the people of Escozia will live happily ever after, but no sooner is she elected than the sweet old dear turns into a power crazed despot, banning all manner of pleasures including, pies, tablet and, most fiendishly cruel of all… SINGING! And it’s the jile for anyone who disobeys, oh yes it is!

But the World is not Enough, she sets her sights on Handsome Jack, betrothed to Ravishing Rosie, and will stop at nothing till his pyjamas are next to her nightie. Enter Dame Beanie Bumpherton aka ‘the Human Jukebox’ and Zorra the Masked Singer: their mission – to discover Evilyins deep, dark secret (probably in her Wardrobe) and get her banished to Goolag Achiltibuie.

Please note: The Òran Mór Christmas Panto is aimed at an adult audience and does contain some strong language and adult themes. Recommended for 14+ years

TICKET INFORMATION

Please note that ALL tickets for the Panto will be available in advance from www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08444 771 000 (booking fee will apply)*

To celebrate reaching our 500th play next season, we’re asking you which play you’d like to see brought back to the A Play, A Pie and A Pint stage!

Fill out the form below to make your choice.

Please note voting has now ended. 

If you need to jog your memory, you can view all our past plays going back to 2004 in our Play Archive.

Oops! We could not locate your form.

Written by Morag Fullarton

Cast: Dave Anderson, Maureen Carr, Hannah Howie & John Kielty

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some are still poisoning door handles…”

Empress Evilyin has promised that the people of Escozia will live happily ever after, but no sooner is she elected than the sweet old dear turns into a power crazed despot, banning all manner of pleasures including, pies, tablet and, most fiendishly cruel of all… SINGING! And it’s the jile for anyone who disobeys, oh yes it is!

But the World is not Enough, she sets her sights on Handsome Jack, betrothed to Ravishing Rosie, and will stop at nothing till his pyjamas are next to her nightie. Enter Dame Beanie Bumpherton aka ‘the Human Jukebox’ and Zorra the Masked Singer: their mission – to discover Evilyins deep, dark secret (probably in her Wardrobe) and get her banished to Goolag Achiltibuie.

Please note: The Òran Mór Christmas Panto is aimed at an adult audience and does contain some strong language and adult themes. Recommended for 14+ years

TICKET INFORMATION

Please note that ALL tickets for the Panto will be available in advance from www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08444 771 000 (booking fee will apply)*

After The Cuts – which premiered here at PPP back in Autumn 2015 –  heads to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

Produced by Raw Material, in association with the Beacon Arts Centre, After the Cuts is a dark comedy by Gary McNair, directed by Beth Morton.

It’s the future; just like now, but a bit more… well, shitey. Jim and Agnes have worked hard their whole lives and now Agnes needs a life-saving operation. With the NHS as we know it a thing of the past, they must take matters into their own hands in this darkly comic tale showing the lengths people go to for life and love.

Starring original cast member George Docherty, joined by Pauline Knowles.

After The Cuts runs at Summerhall throughout the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

3rd- 26th August

For tickets & more info click here

Welcome to our Autumn 2018 season of A Play, A Pie and Pint at Òran Mór!

PPP’s Autumn season launches another 13 brand new plays from the best of Scotland’s writing talent, here’s just a hint of what’s to come…

Meet ‘The Heatherbelles’ as they hit dry land after 40 years on cruise ships, tip your hats to Flanders & Swann and  tap your toes along with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn. Uncover the gross miscarriage of justice of Oscar Slater, witness a young soldier’s return from the Somme and see how a lottery ticket changes an emigrés life. What happens when an agoraphobic  has a gun shoved through his letter box? Or when a WagonWheel is the only food left in a safe house? And join us to revisit a classic tale of an obnoxious patriarch who becomes intoxicated with power – in this day and age, who’d have thought it?

Aug 27^th – Sep 1^st

LOSING THE RAG

By Alan Muir

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Sep 3^rd – 8^th

OUTSIDE IN

by Chris Grady

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Sep 10^th – 15^th

TAP DANCING WITH JEAN-PAUL SARTRE

By James Runcie

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Sep 17^th – 22^nd

THE LOTTERY TICKET

By Donna Franceschild

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Sep 24^th – 29^th

TIPPING THE HAT

By John Bett

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Oct 1^st – 6^th

IT WISNAE ME

By Alan Bissett

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Oct 8^th – 13^th

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

By Morag Fullarton

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Oct 15^th – 20^th

A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT

By David Gerow

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Oct 22^nd – 27^th

KING KEICH

By Louise Welsh

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Oct 29^th – Nov 3^rd

THE BISCUIT

By Donald Mcleary

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Nov 5^th – 10^th

WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAMME

By the DM Collective

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Nov 12^th – 17^th

OSCAR SLATER – THE TRIAL THAT SHAMED A CITY

By Stuart Hepburn

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Nov 19^th – 24^th

TURNS OF THE TIDE

By Lynn Ferguson

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