Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour

The stage musical Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour is based on the 1998 novel The Sopranos by Alan Warner, beautifully adapted for theatre by Lee Hall of Billy Elliot fame. It premièred at Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre during the Fringe Festival in August 2015, co-produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Live Theatre, and it's transferring to the West End in May 2017. The music is played live by a three piece band, featuring a score covering everything from classical pieces by Mendelssohn and Bartok to vintage '70s chart tunes by the Electric Light Orchestra, all arranged to perfection by Tony Award winner Martin Lowe.

The production won a Scotsman Fringe First Award, a Herald Angel Award and a Stage Award for Acting Excellence during its opening run. So what's the quirky title all about? The action takes place over the course of just one day and follows a gang of six Catholic school girls from the imaginary Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour school. Together Orla, Chell, Kay, Manda, Kyla and Fionnula create a 'joyous, moving musical riot' on stage. They are members of the school choir, and they're in Edinburgh for a choral competition. But the girls have a different outing in mind, determined to get so drunk they're sent home in time for a big night out with a bunch of Navy submariners at the local Oban nightclub, The Mantrap. The result is a charming, fun, brilliantly foul mouthed and oddly touching theatrical romp that you won't forget in a hurry.