Glasgow's Citizens Theatre to reopen with moving show about 'love and friendships' forged in wake of Lockerbie bombing

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A historic Glasgow theatre will reopen with a new production about the bonds of friendship forged in the wake of the Lockerbie bombing.

Small Acts of Love will be the first production at the Citizens Theatre following a major redevelopment project which began in 2018.

Commissioned by the Citizens Theatre’s artistic director Dominic Hill, the new theatrical and musical collaboration between playwright Frances Poet and composer Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue will premiere in September 2025.

On December 21, 1988 Pan Am 103 exploded as it flew over Lockerbie on a flight from Heathrow to New York, killing 270 people – including 11 of the town’s residents.

Spanning 36 years, Small Acts of Love tells the story of how communities from Lockerbie and New York State were forced together in destruction – but through a series of small acts of kindness, found friendship and love.

The project has been painstakingly researched and contains representations of real people built from an extensive series of interviews with families and individuals who were directly affected by the Lockerbie bombing, both in Scotland and the USA.

Playwright Frances Poet said: “I don’t think I have written anything before where I have felt such a weight of responsibility to tell people’s stories with authenticity, sensitivity and care. The people of Lockerbie poured their trauma into acts of kindness, received with grace and courage by the relatives.

“This is not a piece about the horrific act of violence on that night in December 1988. It’s about the 36 years since. It’s about the generosity and resilience humans are capable of. I can’t wait to see these inspiring and profound stories brought to life on the Citizens Theatre stage next year.”

The Citizens began life as a working theatre in 1878 and the work which began six years was the first major redevelopment in its history.

While the work has been going on, the Citizens Theatre has performed productions across the country in venues, car parks and community spaces.

Its participation programme has also continued and includes an eight month residency in Gorbals primary schools.

With building work entering the final face, the company is preparing to return home with a full programme of shows to be announced early in 2025 as long as information about a reopening festival taking place in August.

Citizens Theatre artistic director, Dominic Hill, said: “This is a big, ambitious production about love and friendship in the face of the most extraordinary adversity. We think it is a story we know, but the play and songs reveal how the people of Lockerbie and the American relatives forged something beautiful from the tragedy of their ordeal.

“At the Citz, being part of a community is at the heart of what we do. So it feels right that our first production on stage should showcase that humanity and heart.

"It’s been wonderful to develop this commission into a full production and I can’t wait to see it on the main stage of the new Citizens Theatre when we reopen in 2025. This is a very exciting moment to be able to announce our first show and look forward to welcoming audiences back next year.”

Composer Ricky Ross added: “I have been passionate about this project from the moment Frances and I first sat down to talk about the idea over four years ago. It has been a fascinating and incredibly moving experience and I have loved composing the songs and music that interweave with the text.

"The Citz is my local theatre. I’m delighted to be part of its opening season, and to be able to tell this poignant and heartwarming story on that stage.”

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