BBC Still Game and Chewin’ the Fat actors Greg Hemphill and Paul Riley are to re-unite for the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of An Appointment with The Wicker Man in 2012. The production is co-written by Donald McLeary and Greg Hemphill, who is also appearing as Lord Summerisle, and opens at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen on 21^st February before touring Scotland.

Greg Hemphill and Paul Riley worked together on Chewin’ The Fat and the spin off Still Game in which Greg played Victor and Paul the part of Winston.  They will be joined on stage by Sean Biggerstaff who is known for playing Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter films and has won a Scottish BAFTA for the BBC4 film Consenting Adult.

Regularly popping up at the top of “Best Horror Film of all Time” lists, The Wicker Man is regarded as a cult film classic. An Appointment with The Wicker Man, directed by Vicky Featherstone, is an all-singing-and-dancing love letter to a unique and timeless cult masterpiece.

The full cast is Harry Potter actor Sean Biggerstaff, Jimmy Chisholm, Greg Hemphill, Johnny McKnight, Sally Reid, Paul Riley and Rosalind Sydney.

Jimmy Chisholm most recently appeared on stage in Para Handy. He has worked extensively in Scottish theatre and has appeared in a number of National Theatre of Scotland productions including The Miracle Man and Be Near Me. He is also known for his role in the film Braveheart.

Greg Hemphill is well known for playing Victor in BBC’s Still Game and for his roles in Chewin’ The Fat.

Johnny McKnight has previously worked with the National Theatre of Scotland having written, directed and appeared in Little Johnny’s Big Gay Wedding.

Sally Reid is currently appearing in Mr Merlin’s Pure Panto Magic at the Tron Theatre. Previously Sally has appeared in the National Theatre of Scotland productions of Miracle Man and Empty.

Paul Riley is best known for his role as Winston in the BBC’s Still Game. He also worked with Greg Hemphill on the sketch show Chewin’ the Fat.

Rosalind Sydney most recently worked with Visible Fictions appearing in their production of Shopping For Shoes. Other recent theatre work includes We Are Everywhere at Home for Cumbernauld/ Theatro Comedia, Bucharest and Subway for Vanishing Point.

An age guide of 16+ is suggested for this production.

An Appointment with The Wicker Man is supported by Bank of Scotland Pioneering Partnership.

Donald McLeary and Greg Hemphill have been collaborating together on various film and television projects since 2007. Their feature film project, The Sea Hag of the Western Isles, is currently in development; produced by Andrew Eaton, directed by Matt Lipsey with Robbie Coltrane and Peter Mullan attached to star. They are also developing a feature with Ecosse Films entitled Call Me Bill. Their BBC comedy Blue Haven is scheduled to shoot in April 2012 with Brown Eyed Boy/ Kudos, with Greg and Donald in central roles. Donald writes and performs in Radio 4 comedy Fags, Mags and Bags (Best Comedy – Writers Guild Award), currently in its fifth season.  He can also be seen every morning on CBeebies as Mickey John in Me Too!

Venues and Dates:

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen from 21 to 25 February 2012

Theatre Royal Glasgow from 28 February to 3 March 2012

Eden Court, Inverness from 6 to 10 March 2012

The Alhambra, Dunfermline from 21 to 24 March 2012

Source: National Theatre of Scotland