Siobhan Redmond, Jimmy Chisholm to Star in THON MAN MOLIERE at Royal Lyceum Theatre
By: Tyler Peterson Apr. 18, 2016
This tragi-comedy, set in the 17th century imagined world of famous French comic playwright and actor, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin de Moliere, features a strong array of acting talent including well known Scottish stage and screen actors, Siobhan Redmond and Jimmy Chisholm. Both Siobhan and Jimmy have longstanding working relationships with Liz Lochhead and Tony Cownie and have performed at The Lyceum throughout their careers.
Siobhan won critical acclaim for her lead performance in Liz's hit play Perfect Days (it was a huge success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 1998; enjoyed a sell out UK tour and a run in London's West End).
Jimmy has worked closely with Tony on many of his productions at The Lyceum including The Taming of the Shrew (2002), A Comedy of Errors (2001) and Liz Lochhead's Miseryguts (2002).
They will be joined by recent BAFTA Scotland New Talent award winner Sarah Miele (for her performance in short film Grimm Street). Scottish actor, playwright, TV presenter and comedian, Steve McNicoll, best known for his work in TV comedy such as playing the young Rab C Nesbitt, in the popular TV series. Scottish stage actor and former Lyceum Youth theatre member, Nicola Roy (whose recent Lyceum credits include Private Lives, 2014). Stage and screen actor, James Anthony Pearson, whose film credits include, New Town Killers a British crime drama with Dougray Scott, Control a biographical film about the life of Ian Curtis and Kidnapped, a BBC adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale. Actor, Ann Scott-Jones completes the cast. She is best known for her film work on God Help the Girl (2014) written and directed by Stuart Murdoch of the Scottish indie band Belle and Sebastian and the classic Scottish film Local Hero directed by Bill Forsyth (1983).
"...A comedy, A tragi- comedy. Like life."
Welcome to Paris at the time of Louis XIV. Come backstage and meet the King's theatre company - a troupe of, grande dames, old hams, ingénue's and of course, their leading man. Right at the centre, author of their dramas and cause of all their troubles - Thon Man Molière. In constant threat of debtor's prison, in big bother with church and state and - worst of all - disastrously in love with the wrong wife, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin de Molière writes brilliant comedies inspired by a desperate life. But telling the truth is a dangerous business and getting his latest drama on stage could be the death of him!
Thon Man Molière is a brand new original play about the great theatrical comedian Molière; his scandalous marriage, his scurrilous plays and the irresistible creation of his infamous and celebrated satire Tartuffe.
Multi award-winning Scottish poet and playwright Liz Lochhead has had a lifelong love for the work of Molière. She has adapted three of his masterpieces into Scots which have all been presented at The Lyceum, Educating Agnes/L'ecole des Femmes (2011); Miseryguts/The Misanthrope (2002) and Tartuffe (1986).
Other acclaimed theatre credits include Perfect Days (2000) and Mary Queen of Scots got her Head Chopped Off (1987). She has also written celebrated Scots versions of Greek classics Medea, Oedipus and Antigone.
Liz was appointed Scots Makar (National Poet for Scotland) from 2011 until 2016.
Tony Cownie is an established Scottish actor and director. He has previously directed Liz Lochhead's Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off (2011) and Educating Agnes (2011). Other recent credits at The Lyceum include The Venetian Twins (2015), Long Day's Journey Into Night (2014) and A Taste of Honey (2013).Tony is currently an Associate Artist at The Lyceum (since 2007) and was an Associate Artist under Kenny Ireland's tenure (2000-2003).
Designer Neil Murray and Lighting Designer Chris Davey complete the creative team. Both have recently worked with Tony on The Venetian Twins (2015). Neil also worked with Tony and Liz on Mary Queen of Scots Got her Head Chopped Off (2011).
Siobhan Redmond (MBE) is a much loved Scottish actor after starring in popular Scottish TV comedies (such as Forbes Masson and Alan Cumming's The High Life. 1994-95). She has had an illustrious career both on stage and screen and is currently an Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Siobhan last performed at The Lyceum as Lady Macbeth in David Greig's sequel to Macbeth, Dunsinane (2011). Other recent theatre credits include Doctor Faustus (2013) with Citizens Theatre and the Chinese, Russian (2014) and USA tours of Dunsinane (National Theatre of Scotland and Royal Shakespeare Company, 2015).
Jimmy Chisholm is a well-known Scottish stage and screen actor. He has appeared in numerous famous films such as Mel Gibson's Braveheart (1995), Ken Loach's The Angels' Share (2012) and Mrs Brown (1997) alongside Dame Judi Dench and Billy Connolly.
Jimmy most recently appeared in the lead role of BBC One's new sitcom Mountain Goats (2015). Other popular TV credits over the years include Taggart; Rab C Nesbitt and Take The High Road.
Recent theatre credits include Gypsy (Chichester Festival Theatre,2014); Uncle Varick (Rapture Theatre Company, 2014) and An Appointment with the Wicker Man (National Theatre of Scotland, 2012).
Director Tony Cownie says:
"It's great to be directing the final show of the 50th Anniversary Season with two of my favourite writers, Liz Lochhead and Jean-Baptiste Poquelin de Moliere, and with such a terrific cast. It's going to be a real laugh to make and a lot of fun on stage!"
Writer Liz Lochhead says:
"I am absolutely delighted that, exactly thirty years after The Lyceum first put on my very Scottish version of Molière's great French comedy in rhyming couplets, Tartuffe, my new play all about its author and his monstrous and irresistible creation, which really landed him in it, will premiere as part of this theatre's 50th Anniversary Season. Coming home..."
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