GREY COAST THEATRE COMPANY

Traill House
Olrig Street
Thurso
Caithness
KW14 7BJ

Telephone – 01847 890840
Fax – 01847 890840
E-mail – info@greycoast.org.uk
Website – www.greycoast.org.uk
Artistic Director – George Gunn
Formed - 1992

Background/Aims
Grey Coast Theatre Company was formed as a Scottish charity in Helmsdale, Sutherland in 1992, to contribute to the growing theatre culture in the Highlands & Islands. The company's work is based on the history, traditions and contemporary life of the area, and strives to address local issues in a way that is particularly accessible to and representative of the local communities. The result is a body of work that is uniquely regional, attracting a strong local following and bringing a fresh perspective to the Scottish stage outside the area. In 1997-98 the company shifted from being a part-time organisation producing one project every two years, to become a full-time company with professional tours supporting a vital local programme of arts development work.

Grey Coast's work is based on three inter-related strands: schools programmes, community drama and professional tours. Each of these is an essential element in our work, and most projects incorporate all three strands to some degree. The company's overriding aim is to bring a means of cultural expression (through theatre, but also music, drama and visual arts) to the communities of the North, and we believe that this can only be done through this pyramid approach, whereby people of all ages and in all segments of the community have the opportunity to be involved, actively or passively.

Forthcoming Projects
Houses of the Sea by George Gunn Available Autumn 2003
A powerful and moving story of one man's obsession and a displaced people's determination to exist on their own terms - another epic journey from the ancient Gaelic heartland of Scotland to Nova Scotia and the modern world.

Remembering Magnus by George Gunn
An international collaboration on a new version of an ancient Orkney myth.

Recent Productions
2002
51 Pegasus by Ian McDonough     Autumn 2002
John James and Billy McPhee meet outside a Highland dance hall on a summer’s night. The stars are in the sky.  As “Granny’s Heilan Hame” drifts across the Kyle the physics student and the lobster fisherman spar and tease, drink vodka and re-kindle their life-long friendship.
Ever had that feeling of just wanting to get away?  Is the village too small or the Universe too big?  Or is it the other way round?
51 Pegasus explores the concept of scale and the distances between people and between planetary bodies in our Universe.
The play examines the tensions faced in a small village by young and old alike when faced with the dilemma of leaving to study and work or staying put and facing the monotony of everyday life.  An emotionally gripping journey from the north coast of Sutherland to the farthest star.
Ian McDonough is the second playwright to emerge from Grey Coast’s “Playharvest” scheme, which was set up to encourage new playwrights from the Highlands. 
The theme and basis of the workshop is taken from the play’s focus on the “tinker”.  The other important element is the mapping of the skies. 
51 Pegasus will be directed by Tom McGill and designed by Moley Campbell.  Music composed by Andy Thorburn of Blazing Fiddles.
An exciting young cast has been assembled for the play. 
These are; Jodie Campbell from Skye
Dan Oliveira from Elgin
Floss Ross from Brora
Martin Docherty and PJ Farrell from Glasgow

Scottish Youth Theatre Foundation Course
2-week drama course for 12 - 15 year olds which took place in Thurso from 15-27 July 2002

Farm Land
Farm Land is a passionate and lyrical look at the plight of a generation of farm workers from Easter Ross. As oil came to the Highlands the nature of agriculture changed.

Farms became agri-units and the men that worked the land, and the families who depended on them, had to come to terms with a way of life becoming an industry. Prize-winning writer Bess Ross’s new play weaves its way back and forth in time to paint a moving and memorable picture of two generations locked in a struggle for dignity, for the very Farm Land itself.

1999
Atomic City     Scottish Tour
Atomic City, by George Gunn, charts the survival of the communities of the North Coast across fifty years of living with nuclear industry – from advent to epiphany.

1998
Egil, Son of the Night Wolf
The Orkneyinga Saga
Camster

1996
Flags
The Niss

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