Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour

Production history

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour has been adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, based on the 1998 novel The Sopranos by Alan Warner. Set over the course of a single day the book follows a group of catholic school girls. On 15 May 2015, it was announced the play would receive its world premiere the same year at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The play reunited the National Theatre of Scotland with former artistic and founding director Vicky Featherstone, who left the company in 2012. Featherstone wished to stage the play whilst still with the National Theatre of Scotland, but due to issues with the novels rights was unable to. Hall, having read the book when it was first published, also felt he wished to adapt it. Featherstone and Hall met at the Evening Standard Awards around eight years prior to the play's official announcement and the idea was reignited.

Prior to opening, the play received a preview performance at the Platform, Glasgow on 15 August 2015, before transferring to the Traverse for one final preview on 18 August, receiving its world premiere performance on 19 August. The play is directed by Featherstone with choreography by Imogen Knight, design by Chloe Lamford, lighting design by Lizzie Powell, musical arrangement by Martin Lowe and sound by Mike Walker. Following its premiere run, the play embarked on a UK tour in September and October 2015, visiting the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh and Live Theatre, Newcastle, with whom the play is a co-production.

The script of Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour was published by Faber and Faber on 3 September 2015.

Music

The play features live music from a three piece band and features a score of thirteen songs. The musical score was arranged by Tony Award winner Martin Lowe and features a range of music from classical to 1970's pop rock. On the show's music David Pollock, writing for The Independent, said that: "Martin Lowe’s musical choices are sublime, amplifying a heart that’s already there in abundance in the material" and that "the ensemble version of Shine a Little Love in a deserted nightclub is an air-punching moment."

Critical reception

The play has received generally positive reviews from critics.

The production won a Scotsman Fringe First Award, a Herald Angel Award and a Stage Award for Acting Excellence during its opening run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.