What's On
The Testament of Gideon Mack
by James Robertson, adapted for the stage by Matthew Zajac
The Testament of Gideon Mack toured across Scotland during February and March to full houses and great acclaim.
Director Meghan de Chastelain
Designer Kenneth Macleod
Music and Sound Aidan O’Rourke
Lighting Kate Bonney
Movement Sasha Harrington
PRESS
“Robertson’s gripping and deeply humorous tale has been transformed by Matthew Zajac and his Dogstar Theatre company into a richly entertaining and satisfying full-length play…”
Joyce McMillan SCOTSMAN ****
“an epic excavation of the heart and soul of Scotland’s possibly lapsed spiritual psyche.” Neil Cooper THE HERALD ****
“…fine performances throughout…this production succeeds in bringing Robertson’s novel to life in ways that are engaging, thought-provoking and emotive.” Mark Brown THE NATIONAL
“Dogstar Theatre’s compelling adaptation…A profound piece on grief and the loss of faith…” THE LIST ****
“The 20-year wait has been worth it…the ensemble is a roll-call of great Scottish actors…director Meghan de Chastelain and adapting writer Zajac bring Robertson’s themes together perfectly.” THE COURIER
“The cast is very strong… They truly make it feel a process of ensemble throughout… Dogstar Theatre Company has demonstrated once again just exactly why it is key to our renaissance…” BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
“Matthew Zajac’s stage adaptation is enthralling: a captivating piece of theatre… Dogstar Theatre Company has served up a barnstorming theatrical treat. Catch it if you can!” ****Tom Scott NORTH WEST END
AUDIENCE
“That production was inspiring and frankly one of the best plays I have seen.”
Peter McCalister
“Utterly brilliant.” Fiona-Jane Brown
“Wonderful cast and top notch acting, script and stagecraft.” Kevin Macleod
“Magnificent production – very glad I managed to get a ticket!” Olga Wojtas
“Breathtakingly good.” Dave Moir
“Best 72nd birthday I’ve ever had. The production was superb.” Dave Barnett
“Dogstar has consistently brought audiences really stimulating, pertinent, relevant drama of the highest quality.” Mark Wringe
“We were absolutely blown away by the performance. We loved everything about it…- you made us proud!” Mike and Meryl Mair
“The production of Gideon Mack was original, gripping and infused with atmospheric energy, performed by a tight group of highly talented actors, all backed up by a brilliant team of unseen heroes.” Marion & Stuart Robertson
TOUR VENUES
Eden Court Theatre Inverness
An Lanntair Stornoway
MacRobert AC Stirling
Theatre Royal Dumfries
Eastwood Park Theatre Giffnock
Byre Theatre St. Andrews
Adam Smith Theatre Kirkcaldy
Beacon AC Greenock
Traverse Theatre Edinburgh
Gaiety Theatre Ayr
Dundee Rep Theatre
About us
Dogstar is a European touring theatre company based in the Scottish Highlands around Inverness, one of Europe’s fastest-growing small cities. We commission, produce, and tour new plays by writers from the north of Scotland and elsewhere.
From its early Highland tours, the company has extended its reach, now touring across the UK and internationally to a wide variety of venues. These include work presented at Copenhagen Stage Festival Denmark, Leeuwarden 2018 European Capital of Culture Netherlands, Umea 2014 European Capital of Culture Sweden, Konfrontacje Teatralne Lublin Poland, Ivan Franko National Theatre Kyiv Ukraine, Les Kurbas Theatre Lviv Ukraine, Malmo Stadsteater Sweden, Brits Off Broadway New York USA, Adelaide Fringe Festival Australia, Societaetstheater Dresden Germany, English Theatre Berlin Germany, Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoighaire Ireland, Clwyd Teatr Cymru Wales, Birmingham Rep England, and Mungo Park AC Denmark. Dogstar continues to tour village halls in the Scottish Highlands and Islands as well as to city centre theatres.
Much of our work springs directly from the Highlands’ defining characteristics: a stunningly beautiful and harsh natural landscape, a tumultuous and marginalised history, a shifting and changing population, and a vibrant oral and musical tradition. Our productions speak to our audiences using some of Scotland’s best actors, musicians, writers, directors and designers, collaborating with international artists and partners.
For us, theatre is a place for debate and celebration, for ideas and entertainment, for a few laughs, a few tears, a challenge to the mind and a memorable night out. At its heart, it’s about communication between the actor and the audience. It can’t exist without you.