The debut show from Freshly Squeezed Productions tours Scotland this spring, opening in the city of its inception, Aberdeen.
Velvet Evening Séance is a fascinating and chilling tale of a young man on trial for the murder of his brother. The show received its world premiere in Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree last year, before moving to Assembly Hall for the duration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it received glowing reviews.
Launched last year, Freshly Squeezed Productions (FSP), is Aberdeen Performing Arts’ new producing arm. Through FSP, Aberdeen Performing Arts champions, supports and produces new work, new voices and new talent across art forms and works with local and national actors and artists.
Velvet Evening Séance is a co-production between Freshly Squeezed Productions and Ross MacKay, a renowned Scottish director and artistic director of visual theatre company Tortoise in a Nutshell. It is written by multi award-winning playwright Suzie Miller.
Ross said: “In a world full of half-truths and fake news, Velvet Evening Séance feels more relevant than ever. It really puts the audience on the edge of their seats and asks them what do they really believe? I am delighted the show has been given the opportunity to be performed to audiences across the length and breadth of Scotland. It has been fantastic to work with a world-class, inspiring team and it is a real honour to be representing Freshly Squeezed Productions with this national production.”
Inspired by a true story and set in the Victorian era, Velvet Evening Séance recounts the story of young medium James McGregor who is on trial for the murder of Thomas – the defendant’s brother and partner in spiritualism. In an effort to clear his name, James uses a loophole in the Victorian court system which allows him to call on his brother to speak from beyond the grave as a witness in the murder case.
Combining storytelling, illusion, tricks and puppetry, Velvet Evening Séance winds around a compelling narrative, all set in the gothic surroundings of a candle-lit courtroom, with ingenious set design and a stunning, original score played live on stage.
Aberdeen Performing Arts chief executive Jane Spiers said: “We’re extremely proud to be launching the tour of our first Freshly Squeezed Production. The show is gripping, beguiling and beautifully performed by the very talented Scott Gilmour. It’s a period piece which in essence is about truth and trickery, and the audience will find themselves playing Jury as the story unfolds.”
Scottish tour dates include The Lemon Tree (February, 16,17,18), Paisley Arts Centre (February 21), The Eastgate, Peebles (February 22), Eden Court Theatre, Inverness (February 24), Macrobert Centre, Stirling (February 28), The Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock (March 1), Platform, Glasgow (March 2) and Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy (March 4).