Citizens Theatre to Stage Next Installment in John Byrne's SLAB BOYS TRILOGY in 2017

Following the highly successful new production by the Citizens Theatre of John Byrne's The Slab Boys in 2015, the boys are back with the second instalment in the trilogy, Cuttin' A Rug at the Citizens Theatre and King's Theatre, Edinburgh from 8 Feb - 12 Mar 2017.

Byrne's Slab Boys trilogy paints a vivid und unflinching depiction of the tough, rebellious, working class culture of 1950s Scotland. The first instalment, The Slab Boys introduces strutting adolescent double act Phil and Spanky in the confines of their work at the A. F. Stobo carpet factory. Cuttin' A Rug dives straight back in to the story, following the boys to the annual staff dance, still chasing the unobtainable Lucille and their dreams of life beyond the slab room.

Caroline Paterson, most well-known for her TV role as Mark Fowler's wife Ruth in EastEnders, directs the show. Paterson has previously appeared in The Slab Boys as Lucille in the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh's 1989 production, and in Dundee Rep's 1987 production which also starred Alan Cumming and Robert Carlyle. Having first been employed by the Citizens Theatre as a teenager as an usher, Paterson last appeared on the Citizens stage in the company's 2013 production of Takin' Over the Asylum, having appeared in the original BBC drama series.

Paterson has previously directed a radical reworking of the Slab Boys trilogy for Rain Dog, which starred David Hayman, the late Gerard Kelly, Andy Gray, Barbara Rafferty and Robert Carlyle. Talking about returning to the play with which she has such a long association, Paterson said:

"I was 17 when I was first introduced to the Slab Boys plays, the same age as the characters. It was the first time I had seen a play that represented me, and I completely identified with them and their sense of humour.

I'm delighted that the Citizens is giving a new generation the chance to see Cuttin' A Rug and feel extremely fortunate to be asked to direct. The plays are very close to my heart and inspired me to become an actor. They are Scotland's treasure and I look forward to seeing the next generation of teenagers enjoying these plays."

Kenny Miller will design the show.

Tickets for Citizens Theatre performances available now from: 0141 429 0022 / citz.co.uk and for King's Theatre Edinburgh performances from: 0131 529 6000 / edtheatres.com. Priority booking for Friends of Festival and King's Theatres. General sales open Monday 27 June

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