The National Theatre of Scotland (NATS) is launching a nationwide search to find a piper for a touring production of the critically acclaimed production of Black Watch. Open auditions are being held in Glasgow on Friday 16th July 2010 at the The National Piping Centre from 12.30pm – 7.30pm.
The successful Scottish bagpiper will join the cast of Black Watch and tour the UK and the USA.
NATS is looking for a Scottish male, aged between 18-30, physically fit, able to play the bagpipes to a high standard and be available from 23rd August 2010 through to the middle of next year.
Candidates are asked to bring their bagpipes to the audition and be prepared to play The Black Bear. If successful they will progress to the next round and be asked to read a small section of script and sing a traditional folk song. The casting is being held by Anne Henderson, the Casting Director for the National Theatre of Scotland. All other roles have now been cast and this is an opportunity to play the part of Macca.
Black Watch is based on interviews conducted by Gregory Burke with former soldiers who served in Iraq. Viewed through the eyes of those on the ground, Black Watch reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment, what it means to be part of the war on terror and what it means to make the journey home again.
John Tiffany’s production makes powerful and inventive use of movement, music and song to create a visceral, complex and urgent piece of theatre.
EdinburghGuide.co reviewer gave Black Watch a top rating when it debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006.
"An explosive verbatim production, Black Watch takes us to the heart of what makes these soldiers tick. Set in a military drill hall, we are immediately immersed in the personalities of the squaddies who operate as a tight-knit team. We see their mechanisms for coping in conflict - the humour, the hyper nervous tension, the bravery, the comradeship. But most of all, the pride in being a part of this regiment," she wrote.
Black Watch has now played to over 113,000 people across three continents and has garnered 22 awards. Most recently the production won four Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Director, Best Theatre Choreography, Best Play and Best Sound Design and the company won its first US award with the New York Drama Circle naming Black Watch Best Foreign Play.
Further details of the job are available at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/jobs .