This, the first full musical ever to be stage at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, was a complete sell-out for it’s premiere production in 2009 and was revived for a second run at the ‘Theatre in the Hills’ in 2011. It was a brand new full length musical, commissioned by PFT, and the production was nominated for “Best Director’ and “Best Use of Music and Sound” in the Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland

It’s 1943 and the curse of rationing has visited the remote Hebridean islands of Little Todday and Great Todday, to the extent that the thirsty islanders have all but run out of uisge beatha – the water of life. Much to the chagrin of the locals, most of the golden nectar is being exported to America to help fund the ‘War Effort’. They are at their wits end until, one stormy night, a ship crashes onto the shore and its mysterious cargo turns out to be… Whisky! The joy of the discovery is short lived however as the islanders of Protestant Big Todday and the Catholic Little Todday enter a race to salvage the cargo for themselves and outwit the excise man. Based on a real life event, Compton Mackenzie’s lyrical and humorously satirical novel translates beautifully to the stage in this gem of a musical comedy.

Cast: Sandy Bachelor, Carol Ann Crawford, George Rae, Martyn James, Dougal Lee, Helen Logan, Robin Harvey Edwards, Gavin Jon Wright, Greg Powrie, Alan Steele, Shirley Darroch, Gillian Ford, Elizabeth Graham, Christopher Daley (2009) Sandy Bachelor, Carol Ann Crawford, George Rae, Michael Mackenzie, Dougal Lee, Helen Logan, Robin Harvey Edwards, Gavin Jon Wright, Greg Powrie, Alan Steele, James Mackenzie, Lilla Clements, Lindsay Ashworth (2011) Director: Ken Alexander

Designer: Ken Harrison

Musical Director/Arranger: Jon Beales

Choreographer: Rita Henderson

Lighting Designer: Wayne Dowdeswell

Production Photographer: Douglas McBride

“Sets the summer season off to such a rousing start… Ken Alexander’s ebullient production… Full of gusto and versatility this 14-strong ensemble deliver it with tremendous charm.” Mark Fisher, The Guardian

“What a debut!… Hats of to Director Ken Alexander and Choreographer Rita Henderson, whose talents combine to create a joyous and infectious musical theatre piece to be proud of… Ken Harrison’s excellent set design… A must see…There may be Whisky Galore but there’s an even bigger abundance of talent galore…” David Somerville WhatsOnStage

https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/ken-alexander-on-whisky-galore_7088/