The Clown and the Wolfman ride again! Restless Natives: The Musical hits the road in April 2025
- Lisa in the theatre
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
Updated: May 28
A new stage musical of Restless Natives has been produced and directed by the team behind the original cult classic Scottish film and Perth Theatre. It will feature music from rock legends Big Country as well as original songs written for the new show.
Restless Natives the musical
The show will run from Thursday 24 April until Saturday 10 May at Perth Theatre before touring to selected Scottish venues across Stirling, Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow
With music inspired by songs and themes from the legendary band Big Country
The new musical will delight original devotees and capture hearts of a new generation
A new stage musical of the iconic Scottish film Restless Natives will run at Perth Theatre from Thursday 24 April until Saturday 10 May before heading out on tour at selected Scottish venues including Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling; His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen; Eden Court Empire Theatre, Inverness; King’s Theatre, Glasgow. Tickets are on sale now.
Produced and directed by the same team who made the original 1985 film alongside co-producers Perth Theatre, Restless Natives: The Musical sees iconic characters the Clown and the Wolfman ride again in a new full stage musical continuing the enduring legacy of one of the films that paved the way for a boom of Scottish cinema.
What is Restless Natives about?
Intrepid underdogs Ronnie and Will become Highland Highwaymen, holding up buses and winning international renown, fleecing tourists with charm and panache. Tour guide Margot believes these Robin Hood heroes can restore national pride, but the police are closing in. Will this be the end of the story - or the beginning of a legend?
Writers Ninian Dunnett, Michael Hoffman and Andy Paterson, with composer Tim Sutton, deliver a not-to-be-missed production inspired by Big Country songs and themes, designed to delight devotees of the original - and capture the hearts of a new generation.
This major new musical was announced by Big Country at their Return to Steeltown 40th anniversary gig in Perth Concert Hall on Friday 22 November 2024 with a specially created segment featuring Restless Natives cast member Kirsty MacLaren and an ensemble of voices from UHI Perth’s Musical Theatre course.
Big Country's Bruce Watson said: "In 1984 we recorded our second album, Steeltown - and started work on Restless Natives. The film has always been a big part of our lives and we love this new stage musical version."
For Ninian Dunnett “Big Country were so much of the magic of the film from the start, and to be with them again, launching a fantastic new version of our story for the 21st century – that’s a dream come true.”
Perth Film Society will be showing a special screening of the original Restless Natives film in Perth Theatre’s Joan Knight Studio on Thursday 3 April 2025.
Restless Natives: The Musical - 2025 Tour dates
Perth Theatre, Sympathetic Ink and Wild Yak Productions present
Restless Natives: The Musical
Thu 24 Apr – Sat 10 May: Times vary
Wed 14 May – Sat 17 May: Times vary
Wed 21 May – Sat 24 May: Times vary
Thu 29 May – Sun 1 Jun: Times vary
Tue 24 Jun – Sat 28 Jun: Times vary
Original Music by Tim Sutton, Original Lyrics by Ninian Dunnett
Book by Ninian Dunnett, Michael Hoffman and Andy Paterson
Design by Becky Minto
Directed by Michael Hoffman
Featuring songs by Big Country
Based on the screenplay by Ninian Dunnett, And by special arrangement with STUDIOCANAL
Update 04 March 2025: Full Cast Announced for Restless Natives: The Musical
Leading the cast as Will and Ronnie, AKA The Clown and The Wolfman, will be young stars Kyle Gardiner and Finlay McKillop, with Olivier-nominated Kirsty MacLaren as Margot.
The multi-talented ensemble cast will feature some of Scotland’s most exciting stage talent, including Robin Campbell, Ailsa Davidson, Caroline Deyga, Stuart Edgar, Sarah Galbraith, Ava MacKinnon, Alan McHugh, and Harry Ward.
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