A stage show based on the experiences, stories and memories of generations of St Johnstone fans has been shortlisted for a top theatre award.
Oh When The Saints, which starred Colin McCredie and Tom McGovern in its run at Perth Theatre, is nominated for Community Project of the Year at The Stage Awards 2023.
It’s the second year that the theatre has been shortlisted, having been nominated for its mobile community stage Gig On A Truck in the same category in the 2022 Awards.
Perth Theatre and St Johnstone FC’s celebrated community show 'Oh When The Saints' has been shortlisted in the Community Project of the Year category at The Stage Awards 2023.
"The show captured the true spirit of what it is like to support Saints"
– Charlie Fraser
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— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) December 16, 2022
Perth Theatre is the only organisation north of the border to make the shortlist for the prestigious annual awards, which culminate in a ceremony in London at the end of January.
In its list of shortlisted organisations, The Stage said of Oh When The Saints: “Perth Theatre succeeded in bringing the fever of the football pitch and the magic of theatre together in a unique project in which one great Perth institution – its theatre – spoke to another: local Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone FC.
“The production, which was described by The Stage’s reviewer as a “an exemplary piece of community engagement”, involved its professional and community cast working together, with the show growing organically from two years of activities, workshops and discussions, which all fed into the final offering.
“Transforming the way the theatre engaged with its community and attracting a large number of people who had previously had no contact with Perth Theatre, it won the venue many new fans.”
Nick Williams, Chief Executive of Perth Theatre and Concert Hall said: “Oh When The Saints was a joyous celebration of club, community and theatre that captured hearts and minds across the city as we emerged from the pandemic years.
“I will never forget the buzz of opening night as Saints fans, footballers, celebrities and Perth Theatre regulars laughed, cried and cheered together at a show that was made by and for our local community – with 30 of them starring on stage alongside our all-Perth professional cast.
“The whole project absolutely epitomises what Perth Theatre is all about. Community is at the heart of what we do, and we are committed to making a real difference to people’s wellbeing through the experiences we create on our stages and through our outreach programmes.
“Much like a football club, everything we do is a real team effort, so every person across both Perth institutions should be proud of the part they played in this fantastic project.”
#TheStageAwards Community Project of the Year nominees, sponsored by @pantomimes:
Blackpool Grand, the Story-Led Resilience project / Derby CAN, Over to You / The Lowry, Show Selectors / Perth Theatre, Oh When the Saints / Protein Dance, There and Here / Turtle Key Arts, JOY pic.twitter.com/lfuANPMAMD
— The Stage (@TheStage) December 15, 2022
Charlie Fraser, Vice-Chairman of St Johnstone FC, said: “I was delighted to hear that the Perth Theatre production of Oh When The Saints has been nominated for a very prestigious Theatre Award.
“The production was an excellent example of how two Perth Institutions can collaborate to provide entertainment to fans and theatre patrons alike. The show captured the true spirit of what it is like to support Saints, and it would be only fitting, if the production went on to lift the Cup”
The winners of The Stage Awards 2023 will be announced at an awards ceremony on Monday January 30 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London.
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