Skip over navigation to main page content

: HOME
: WHO WE ARE
: WHAT'S ON
: NEWS
: OUTREACH & COMMUNITY
: EDUCATION
: WHAT PEOPLE SAID
: NEW WRITING
< : ARCHIVE
: LINKS
: Contact Us

Archive

Show	Director	Writer	Details	Dates
Our archive contains a full list of all 7:84's touring productions between 1973 and 2004. If you would like any further information please contact the National Libraries of Scotland where our archive is now housed. Please go to www.nls.uk or email Manuscripts@nls.uk
Boiling a Frog	Lorenzo Mele	Christopher Deans	A world premiere adapted from the novel by Christopher Brookmyre Boiling a Frog is a dark, satirical, edge-of-your seat political thriller that sweeps through the corridors of power, up to its knees in spin. Jack Parlabane, an investigative journalist not afraid to bend the law for the sake of a good story, follows his nose as it leads him into a world of sleaze, conspiracy and murder. Scathingly truthful and worryingly believable Boiling a Frog unravels the world of PR, ambitious MSPs, corruption and the Catholic Church.	3^rd Feb - 2^nd April 2005
godeatgod	Alvin Tan & Lorenzo Mele	Haresh Sharma	Uniting two political theatre companies from opposite sides of the world, Alvin Tan from the Necessary Stage and Lorenzo Mele from 7:84 Theatre Company directed a piece that demanded answers to global questions. Writing in response to 9/11, playwright Haresh Sharma explores the tragedies that surfaced - dishonesties, power struggles, corruption and egos - which have made the world a platform dominated by the powerful, asking the question 'where do we look to for a new moral order?' godeatgod is an intimate, personal and at times funny story about love and grief, censorship and trying lead a better life. (Scottish premiere)	Thurs 11^th - Sat 13^th Mar 2005 at the Tron Theatre as part of the Diaspora World Theatre Festival in conjunction with RSAMD, Tron Theatre and Cumbernauld Theatre.
Private Agenda	Lorenzo Mele		What is it really like on the frontline of Scotland's public services today? 7:84 Theatre Company have created an extraordinary new play inspired by ordinary people. Collected during extensive interviews in 2004, Private Agenda was entirely created using the real life stories of the teachers, pupils, midwives, doctors, porters, nurses, technicians, senior managers and campaigners working in Scotland's public services today. Private Agenda takes a forensic journey through the surreal, maddening and hilarious corridors and wards of privately financed hospitals and schools. This is a world where lucrative construction deals replace common sense and management targets take priority over maternity wards. Private Agenda is the voice of Scotland's public services; a voice that has been ignored. Until now. (world premiere)	2^nd September - 23^rd October 2004
The Trial - How New Labour Purged George Galloway	Lorenzo Mele		A dramatisation of the transcripts of George Galloway's expulsion from the Labour Party (world premiere)	2^nd April 2004
Reasons to be Cheerful	Stuart Davids	Martin McCardie	In 13 years we've seen Thatcher out, the Poll Tax binned, John Major 'romping' with Edwina Currie....two wars in Iraq, spin doctors and New Labour....a Prime Minister who plays air guitar, an American President that wasn't elected and a Scottish Parliament....sort of. Reasons to be Cheerful, inspired by political comedian Mark Steel's memoir, is a witty and wry travel guide for the political virgin and a bitter sweet trip down memory lane for all those that fought the good fight and survived to wonder if it was all worth it. This is an uplifting chronicle of three friends who all considered themselves Socialists at one time but now they can't even agree on what the term actually means. (world premiere)	19^th February - 10^th April 2004
Gilt	Zinnie Harris	Stephen Greenhorn, Rona Munro & Isabel Wright	7:84 united three of Scotland's best writers in the shape of Stephen Greenhorn Rona Munro and Isabel Wright to produce Gilt, a modern mosaic about money and love. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, each character shows the desperation and cynicism of modern living laced with the underlying conviction that there are two things that could change your life forever - money and love. (world premiere)	2^nd October - 9^th November 2003 Gilt opened in Paisley Arts Centre, toured throughout Scotland and culminated in a week at the Soho Theatre, London.
Can't Pay? Won't Pay!	Andy Arnold	Dario Fo	A riotous farce about food, social justice and just how far you would go for a decent meal!	6^th February - 22^nd March 2003
Factory Girls & Factory Grls revival	Guy Hollands	Frank McGuinnnes	Five women take on their boss, their union and each other in this funny and emotional tale of solidarity and strength.	3^rd October - 9^th November 2002 and then later revived for a short tour May 22^nd - June 6^th 2003
Cave Dwellers	Gordon Laird	Nicola McCartney	A thought provoking and powerful play about the situation facing asylum seekers and refugees. (world premiere)	14^th February - 23^rd March 2002
The News at When...?	Gordon Laird		A satirical cabaret reflecting on the news events of 2001. (world premiere)	23^rd November - 22^nd December 2001
Marching On	Gordon Laird	Gary Nitchell	A hard hitting play about a family torn apart by the troubles. (Scottish premiere)	29^th March - 12^th April 2001
A Little Rain	Gordon Laird	Peter Arnott	This black comedy is a compelling, hard-hitting and lyrical look at a new Scotland. (world premiere)	5^th October - 17^th November 2000
24 Hours	Iain Reekie	Frances Corr, Deirdre Heddon, Jess Kerr, Ernie Kyle, Frank Sheilds, Rhiannon Tise	A surreal, poignant and darkly comic look at Scottish society, 24 hour living and shopping.	16^th March - 22^nd April 2000
Caledonia Dreaming	Iain Reekie	David Greig	A moving, funny and fantastical look at politics and society at a turning point in history. (world premiere) "Slick, quick and very funny" The Scotsman	6^th June - 19^th July 1999 and later revived at the 1999 Edinburgh Festival
Dissent	Iain Reekie	Stephen Greenhorn	A dark, political thriller about ambition vs. personal principles. (world premiere)	5^th November - 6^th December 1998
Valley Song	Natalie Wilson	Athol Fugard	A poignant, poetic exploration of the new South Africa. (Scottish premiere)	19^th May - 14^th June 1998
Tongues	Andrew Dawson, John Heraghty, Natalie Wilson		An extraordinary performance piece by Sam Shephard and Joseph Chaikin and new writing inspired by it.	11 - 28^th February 1997
Angels in America	Iain Reekie	Tony Kushner	This highly acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winning play is a disturbing picture of the rise of the American Right and the immorality of power.	29^th March - May 1996
Born Guilty	Ian Reekie	Peter Sirchrovsky	A series of portraits that help us understand generational, ethnic and national guilt.	27^th April - 18^th June 1995
The Salt Wound	Jim Culleton	Stephen Greenhorn	A mythical and adventurous tale of a family torn apart by different attitudes to the sea.	21^st September - 5^th November 1994
The Grapes of Wrath	Iain Reekie	Frank Galati	John Steinbeck's powerful Pulitzer Prize winning story of the depression adapted for the stage.	25^th Feb - 1^st March 1994
Twilight Shift	Iain Reekie	Jackie Kay	An exploration of changing attitudes to sexuality, community and politics.	6^th October - 7^th November 1993
Phoenix	Iain Reekie	Roy MacGregor	An explosive examination of the fear and tension under the surface of a new Europe.	11^th May - 20^th June 1993
Sophocles Antigone	Iain Reekie	Dan Taylor	A modern and dynamic translation of the compelling world classic.	23^rd February - 27^th March 1993
The Lament for Arthur Cleary	Iain Reekie	Dermot Bolger	A powerful and moving tale, linking past and present.	14^th October - 21^st November 1992
Scotland Matters	Iain Reekie	John Binnie, Iain Heggie, Liz Lochead, Ann-Marie Di Mambro, Gurmeet Mattu, rona Munro and Jimmy Reid	An exploration of life in Scotland; class and culture, war and love, sex, politics and football.	12^th May - 6^th June 1992
Jump the Life to Come	Iain Reekie	Noel Greig	A powerful new play about a family trying to make sense of the world.	6^th February - 15^th March 1992
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui	Roanna Benn	Ralf Manheim	Bertol Brecht's wonderfully wicked, disturbingly relevant parable.	4^th October - 4^th November 1991
Revolting Peasants	Gerard Kelly	Patricia Prior	A cheerfully subversive look at the Poll Tax - putting the politics back into laughter.	May 14^th - 15^th June 1991
Bold Girls	Lynne Parker	Rona Munro	The humorous story of three strong but rarely heard women from west Belfast.	27^th September - 17^th November 1990
Govan Stories	Roanna Benn		Written collaboratively, this is a truthful look at Govan and it's people.	2^nd May - 25^th May 1990
When The Wind Blows	Gerard Kelly	Raymond Briggs	A stage version of the famous anti-nuclear parable.	25^th August - 7^th October 1989
Road	David Hayman	Jim Cartwright	A passionate, poetic and positive portrayal of working class life.	8^th May - 3^rd June 1989
The Sash	Gerard Kelly	Hector MacMillan	A bitterly funny black comedy about a city divided by religious loyalties.	24^th January - 25^th April 1989
Long Story Short	Finlay Welsh	A collaboration	Written by Donald Campbell, James Graham, Tom Leonard, Aonghas Macneacoil, Ann-Marie Di Mambro, Gureet Mattu, Rona Munro, Ricky Ross and Ann Samuel.	28^th February - 31^st March 1989
No Mean City	Alex Norton	David Hayman	The story of three young men and their fight for a better life.	24^th May - 16^th July 1988
Mairi Mhor - The Woman from Skye	John McGrath	John McGrath	Using Gaelic song, one woman's story of imprisonment in the nineteenth century unfolds.	2^nd September - 17^th October 1987
The Gorbals Story	David Hayman	Robert McLeish	A tribute to the strength, spirit and humanity of Glasgow and it's people.	6^th May - 20^th June 1987
There is a Happy Land	John McGrath	John McGrath	Dramatic episodes from highland history, told by the songs that came from the people.	25^th April - 7^th June 1986
Beneath One Banner	David Maclennan	Sean McCarthy	The story of the religious beliefs that have divided Scotland and who benefits from the divide.	13^th February - 5^th April 1986
The Incredible Brechin Beetle Bug	John Haswell	Matt McGinn	All the traditional ingredients of a panto, the 'Bug' was designed to please children of all ages.	3^rd December - 16^th January 1986
High Places	John Haswell	Ena Lamont Stewart	A compassionate tale of high rise living created by urban rebuilding.	13^th March - 16^th May 1985
The Albannach	Finlay Welsh	John McGrath	A play about the constraints of highland life and finding the joyful side of life in the face of controversy.	28^th February - 26^th April 1985
In Time of Strife	David Hayman	Joe Corrie	The play highlights the humour and resilience of the mining community at the end of a long and bitter strike.	7^th May - 15^th June 1984
The Baby and the Bathwater	John Haswell	John McGrath	A blistering satire about the widespread fear of communism.	19^th October - 8^th December 1984
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists	David Hayman	Archie Hind	Robert Tressell' classic novel about the labour movement filled with hope and humour transferred to the stage.	8^th May - 9^th June 1984
The Clydebuilt Season:				10^th February - 15^th May 1982
Gold in his Boots	John McGrath	George Munro	The story of the journey of a brilliant west of Scotland footballer.
Johnny Noble	David Scose	Ewan McColl	A story of a man returning from war, determined to seek out a better life.
Men Should Weep	Giles Havergal	Ena Lamont Stewart	The story of a Glasgow mother's struggle to keep her family intact during the depression of the thirties.
The Catch	John McGrath	John McGrath	A play examining local desires versus central government.	15^th August - 7^th November 1981
Blood Red Roses	John McGrath	John McGrath	All that glistens is not gold; questioning the truth behind improving standard of living for working class people.	18^th August - 8^th November 1980
Swings and Roundabouts	John McGrath	John McGrath	A rousing tale about how class affects us all.	26^th February - 22^nd March 1980
Joe's Drum	Campbell Morrison	John McGrath	A historical - political story told with punch and zest and most importantly the power of conviction.	21^st May- 22^nd June 1979
Thought for Today	David Maclennan		A collaborative company effort about resistance and struggle.	10^th February - 16^th March 1977
Honour Your Partners	David Maclennan	David Maclennan	A testament to American working people struggling to break the 'iron will of oppression'	27^th January - April 10^th 1976
Little Red Hen	John McGrath	John McGrath	What can we learn from the past that can help us build a better Scotland today?	16^th September - 13^th December 1975

The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil

The scope of The Cheviot is broad. It covers two hundred years of Scottish history from 'the Clearances' in the eighteenth century to the present day (1973). It tells its story broadly in three sections indicated by the title, the cheviot, the stag and the oil. The first recounts the eviction of highland crofters from the land to accommodate Cheviot sheep whose qualities of endurance and fine wool offered the prospects of lucrative incomes to landowners. As 'the highland exploitation chain-reacted around the world', many of the displaced highlanders found themselves as 'new world' settlers further serving colonialist interests.

Programme cover

Section two deals with a different invasion in the form of romantic tourism in which Queen Victoria and other 'Monarchs of the Glen' mythologised a wild nature in the Scottish landscape and culture, appropriating and re-shaping them for hunting, shooting and fishing. A coda to the second section updates cultural tourism to embrace 'The Crammem High Inn, High Rise Motorcroft', 'the "Frying Scotsman" All Night Chipperama' and 'with a wee ethnic bit - Fingal's Cafe'.

The third section brings the play to its 1973 present-day and the American invasion of the oil-fields discovered initially in the North Sea off Aberdeen with subsequent prospecting in the West.

7:84 revisited history neither dispassionately nor to lament failures, but to learn its lessons and to disseminate them. The play was conceived in the form of the traditional Highland ceilidh. To tell the story of the people of the Highlands to the people of the Highlands the play was both traditional and popular; combing theatre, music and song. Performed to unparalleled acclaim throughout Scotland and subsequently televised, The Cheviot marks not only a turning point in Scottish theatre but a lasting example of John McGrath's vision of a 'good night out'.

The Cheviot was first performed in March 1973 at a conference and developed into a tour from April to June 1973 with a cast including Elizabeth McLennan, Alex Norton, Bill Paterson and John Bett with a set designed by John Byrne.

The first tour visited Aberdeen, Stirling, Inverness, Fortrose, Lochinver, Achiltibuie, Ullapool, Dornie, Broadford, Portree Tarbert, Stornoway, Brora, Alness, Dingwall, Portgower, Stromness, Kirkwall, Thurso, Bonar Bridge, Oban, Irvine, Livingston and Cumbernauld.

The production hit the road again in the autumn of that year and then again in spring 1974.