Local Hero (musical)

The musical is based on the 1983 indie film Local Hero, written and directed by Bill Forsyth.^[1] The film was produced on a budget of just £3 million^[2] and won several awards including the 1984 BAFTA Award for Best Direction^[3] and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay.^[4]

The play received its world premiere at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in March 2019.^[5] A co-production with The Old Vic,^[6] the show has a book by the film's original screenwriter and director, Bill Forsyth, which has been adapted by Lyceum artistic director David Greig,^[7] with direction by John Crowley,^[8] movement direction by Lucy Hind,^[9] set and costume design by Scott Pask,^[8] lighting design by Paule Constable^[8] and video by Luke Halls.^[10] The musical features an original score and lyrics by Mark Knopfler,^[11] with sound design by Paul Arditti,^[8] musical supervision by Dave Milligan^[10] and music direction by Phil Bateman.^[10]

Local Hero began previews at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh on 14 March 2019,^[10] with an official opening night on 23 March, booking for a limited period until 20 April.^[12] Due to demand^[13] the world premiere run was extended until 4 May.^[14] Notable casting included Damian Humbley as Mac, Katrina Bryan as Stella, Matthew Pidgeon as Gordon, and Simon Rouse as Happer.^[15]

The production was due to transfer to The Old Vic, London^[16] where it was scheduled to begin previews 18 June 2020,^[17] with an official opening night on 1 July,^[17] booking for a limited period until 22 August.^[17] As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, however, The Old Vic announced in April 2020 that the production was being postponed, with no revised dates given at that time.^[18] The Old Vic have since announced that the production will not be going ahead due to the theatre's schedule. According the calls that ticket holders received to get their refunds, the Old Vic would like to have the production back in one or two years when the pandemic situation allow musicals at their stage.

A new production opened in the Minerva Theatre, Chichester as part of the Festival 2022 with previews beginning 8 October, with a press night on 17 October, running until 19 November 2022. It was directed by the former Artistic Director Daniel Evans, set designed by Frankie Bradshaw with lighting design by Paule Constable with Ryan Day, Projection design by Ash J Woodward, sound design by Paul Arditti, musical direction by Richard John and orchestrated and arranged by Dave Milligan. ^[19]

Local Hero tells the story of an American oil company representative who is sent to the fictional village of Ferness on the west coast of Scotland^[20] to purchase the town and surrounding property to build a new refinery.^[21]