NTS Workshop and Burnt Goods presents "Venus As A Boy"

20th June 2007

Adapted by Tam Dean Burn from the novel by Luke Sutherland
Performed by Tam Dean Burn with live music by Luke Sutherland

SCOTTISH TOUR: 25 - 30 JUNE 2007

Adapted from Luke Sutherland's acclaimed novel and performed by
award-winning actor Tam Dean Burn with live music composed and performed by
Luke Sutherland, Venus as a Boy is an explosive and haunting story about the
miraculous power of sex.

In a room in Soho, a dying man is turning gold. He has a gift. With just one touch or kiss, he can reveal a glimpse of heaven in all its glory. Some call him Cupid. Or Venus as a Boy.

Journeying from his turbulent childhood in Orkney - haunted by the girl he betrayed and the lover he never escaped - and travelling south through the Highlands and Edinburgh, he finds himself in the seedy underbelly of Soho, where pimps and hormones and a transsexual called Wendy finally break him.

"True love was never going to be my reward…. My reward is the understanding that, for those I've touched, knowledge of me is knowledge of the divine."

Venus as a Boy will follow the journey of the novel, opening at the St Magnus Festival in Orkney, stopping off in Ullapool and later in the year reaching the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Soho Theatre, London.

Luke Sutherland is a writer and musician who grew up in the Orkneys. His first novel, Jelly Roll was shortlisted for the 1998 Whitbread First Novel Award and was followed in 2002 by the critically acclaimed Sweetmeat.

Venus as a Boy is his third and latest novel, and is currently being adapted for the screen in association with Film 4. Luke was a founder member of the band Long Fin Killie, with whom he released three albums. He has also played violin with Mogwai and his most recent music project is Music A.M.

"Sutherland has a way of diving into the heart of an individual that is enthralling" The Guardian

Tam Dean Burn is an acclaimed Scottish actor who was most recently seen on stage in The National Theatre of Scotland's production of Tutti Frutti. Recent television includes Wedding Belles, Holby City and Longford.

Tam Dean Burn has long been interested in adapting fiction for the stage. For the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre, he adapted The Cutting Room by Louise Welsh into a two hander play which he also performed in and co-directed. Most recently, he adapted the writings and songs of Harry Horse into a live radio play on the internet radio station, Resonancefm.com to commemorate Horse's work following his tragic death in January this year.

Venus as a Boy is co-directed by Tam Dean Burn and Christine Devaney, with Design by Pamela McBain and Lighting Design by Lizzie Powell.

For further information please contact Susan O'Neill: 0141 227 9003 or 07926 628978
email: susan.oneill[AT]nationaltheatrescotland.com

VENUS AS A BOY LISTINGS INFORMATION:
ST MAGNUS FESTIVAL, ORKNEY
Box Office: 1856 871445 www.stmagnusfestival.com
Gable End Theatre, Hoy 25 June at 8.00 pm Tickets: £5
Orkney Arts Theatre, Kirkwall 26 June at 6.00 pm Tickets: £5 - £9
Stromness Town Hall 27 June at 7.30 pm Tickets: £5 - £9
Ullapool Village Hall30 June at 8.00 pm Tickets: £5 - £7
Box Office: 1854 612103 www.theboothonline.co.uk

Further dates will be announced in due course
For further information and to watch an online interview with Tam and Luke please visit: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com