Adapted and directed by the National Theatre of Scotland’s Artistic Director Laurie Sansom and designed by Spanish stage designer Ana Inés Jabares Pita (winner of the 2013 Linbury Prize for Stage Design), ‘The Driver’s Seat’ is the first theatrical presentation of Muriel Spark’s psychologically thrilling 1970 short novel which plays at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and tramway, Glasgow from 13 June 2015.
“You look like Red Riding Hood’s grandmother. Do you want to eat me up?”
Adapted and directed by the National Theatre of Scotland’s Artistic Director Laurie Sansom and designed by Spanish stage designer Ana Inés Jabares Pita (winner of the 2013 Linbury Prize for Stage Design), ‘The Driver’s Seat’ is the first theatrical presentation of Muriel Spark’s psychologically thrilling 1970 short novel which plays at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh and tramway, Glasgow from 13 June 2015.
In its first adaptation for the stage, Lise’s journey to an unnamed European city and the ever curious people she encounters, merge with the urgency of a police incident room on the hunt for a killer.
This is one of Spark’s most unique, gripping and disturbing books, telling the story of one woman’s mission to leave her mark on a world that is becoming increasingly alien to her, and asking whether we are ever in control of our lives. The Driver’s Seat is also a taut thriller and a darkly comic tale that displays Spark at the height of her powers.
The Driver’s Seat was nominated, posthumously, for a ‘Lost Man Booker Prize’ and was also adapted into 1974 film, Identikit, starring Elizabeth Taylor. Muriel Spark referred to it as her favourite novel.
The production is designed by Ana Inés Jabares Pita, overall winner of the 2013 Linbury Prize, the UK’s most prestigious award for stage design, offering graduating designers the unique opportunity to work with some of the country’s leading theatre, opera and dance companies. The Prize is sponsored by the Linbury Trust, one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.
Laurie Sansom adapts and directs. This is his first production for the National Theatre of Scotland after the success of his productions of Rona Munro’s epic historical trilogy, The James Plays in Edinburgh and London, in 2014. He previously directed an acclaimed production of Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2009.
Laurie Sansom, adapter and director says:
“I’m thrilled to be adapting the work of one of Scotland’s finest writers, and ‘The Driver’s Seat‘ is one of her most perfect and idiosyncratic books. It combines her razor sharp wit and crisp narrative voice with an enigmatic central figure that slips in and out of focus until its final, shocking conclusion. Capturing Spark’s voice on stage is always a challenge, but this has to be one of her most dramatic and mysterious stories, lending itself to theatrical reinvention. I’m proud that the National Theatre of Scotland can help to bring people’s attention back to her wonderful body of work and this book in particular.”
Morven Christie plays the central role of Lise. She is an acclaimed actress on stage and screen known for her roles in BBC’s TwentyTwelve, ITV’s Grantchester and the film Young Victoria. She previously appeared in Blabbermouth and Glasgow Scrapbook for the National Theatre of Scotland.
Muriel Spark, born in Edinburgh in 1918 was a prolific and highly successful novelist. She also wrote plays, biographies and poetry. As well as The Driver’s Seat (1970) and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961) her extensive body of work includes The Abbess of Crewe (1974), The Girls of Slender Means (1963), The Ballad of Peckham Rye (1960) and Memento Mori (1959). Her personal archive is held by the National Library of Scotland.
Laurie Sansom is the Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Theatre of Scotland. This is his first production for the National Theatre of Scotland after the success of his productions of Rona Munro’s epic historical trilogy, The James Plays in Edinburgh and London, in 2014. He directed an acclaimed production of Muriel Spark’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2009.
Ana Inés Jabares Pita Ana is a graduate from MA Scenography at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama 2012. She has trained as a Fine Artist in Seville and in the Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo. Her work includes an award-winning play Sappho… in 9 fragments (Best Design award –Ottawa Fringe Festival 2013). Recently she has been announced as Overall Winner 2013 of the prestigious Linbury Prize (for The Driver’s Seat) and as one of the Gate’s Jerwood Young Designers for 2014. Her last work, Idomeneus, has been selected by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to become part of their archive. Also she is a very close friend of Brit Es Magazine one of our best-loved collaborators. We are very proud of her and her goals!
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National Theatre of Scotland presentsThe Driver’s Seat, a novel by Muriel Spark. Adapted and directed by Laurie Sansom. Designed by Ana Inés Jabares Pita (winner of the 2013 Linbury Prize for Stage Design). Sound Designed and Composition by Philip Pinsky and Lighting Designed by Chris Davey. Cast: Ivan Castiglione, Morven Christie, Ryan Fletcher, Gabriel Quigley, Sheila Reid, Michael Thomson, and Andrea Volpetti.
Touring to The Lyceum, Edinburgh (13 to 27 June 2015) and Tramway, Glasgow (2 to 4 July 2015). Opening performance 18 June at 7.30pm at The Lyceum, Edinburgh
An Interview with Ana Inés Jabares Pita: www.britesmag.com/an-interview-with-ana-ines-jabares-pita
Galician Ana Inés Jabares Pita wins the 2013 Linbury Prize for Stage Design : http://www.britesmag.com/galician-ana-ines-jabares-pita-wins-the-2013-linbury-prize-for-stage-design
