Theatre group cast net for actors

May 21 2008 By Graham Fraser

A LANARKSHIRE theatre group who regularly perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are looking for male actors to join their ranks.

The Practical Magic Theatre Company, who rehearse in Uddingston, have been producing hit shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and across the theatre scene in Lanarkshire and Glasgow for the past eight years.

In recent years, Practical Magic’s Fringe productions have received critical acclaim, including a five-star review in The British Theatre Guide.

At the Edinburgh Fringe this year, the company will produce Dale Wasserman’s adaptation of Ken Kesey’s disturbing, witty, and electrifying comedy-drama One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest from August 2 until August 9.

The play, famously starring Jack Nicholson in the movie version, is set in an asylum.

The tragic satire involves the oppression of the human spirit and one man’s struggle as he leads his fellow inmates against the sinister Big Nurse. Practical Magic use a mixture of both professional and amateur actors in their shows.

In this production, Edinburgh actor Adam Tomkins takes the lead role of McMurphy, while Yvonne Waring from Hamilton will play the menacing Nurse Ratched .

The majority of the performers from Practical Magic are from South Lanarkshire.

The theatre company, who have an associated youth group who are also performing at the Festival Fringe, are now on the hunt for Lanarkshire men to join the cast.

Director Alan Bayley said: “We are well under way to finalising the supporting cast for the production, but we do still have a few roles left to be filled.

“This is truly a fantastic opportunity for talented Lanarkshire actors to get in on the act.

“Cuckoo’s Nest is a fabulously crafted piece and we are all looking forward to getting rehearsals under way. We have a great bunch of people in the cast and always have great fun at rehearsal, and this play will be a great challenge for all of our actors.”

Any interested male actor should telephone Alan on 0141 773 4377 or Shirley on 07974 252 307.