Inverclyde drama group stage ‘Men Should Weep’ at Beacon

Thistle Theatre Company’s adaptation of ‘Men Should Weep’ starts at the Beacon Arts Centre tomorrow night, taking audiences back to the 1930s.

A cast of 15 local actors and actresses star in the hard-hitting drama, including leading lady Fiona McLintock and Graham Currie, pictured, who are both from Greenock.

Thistle boss Lynsey Currie, who recently joined the Beacon board, is directing the show and also has an on stage part.

The play follows the lives of the Morrison family, who are struggling to make ends meet, and it explores poverty and the role of women in 1930s Glasgow.

Lynsey said: “There’s also quite an element of comedy to it and heart-warming moments, although the title sometimes makes people think differently.

“Sometimes people think it’s written as an anti-male piece but it highlights a range of things and tries to explain the mentality of men at that time.

“A lot of the themes are still quite relevant today with stereotyping and attitudes towards women.”

Siblings Lynsey and Graham are both secondary school teachers and are delighted to be involved in the show.

Lynsey said: “It’s been really good for us to work on the piece because it’s an iconic Scottish text and is also a choice for drama and English.

“As a drama teacher it’s a good one to use as a teaching tool and also as a director and actress because it gives you so much to work with and requires you to use different skills to portray the characters.”

Graham, who teaches at St Columba’s in Gourock, plays the role of head of the family John Morrison.

He said: “It’s an excellent part and something quite different for me because he’s a character I think I’m the total opposite of.

“You don’t want to be yourself on stage so it’s a nice challenge and it’s a lot of fun to be part of this play.”

Men Should Weep starts tomorrow at 7.30pm and is on again on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm.

For tickets visit beaconartscentre.co.uk or call 723723.