Now Scottish actor Vincent Friell has bagged the leading role in a brand new play based on a historic Linwood factory.
Touring eight theatres in Scotland from October 3, Linwood No More will tell the story of the former Rootes car factory in Linwood which once employed more than 9,000 people.
Written by Paul Coulter, the play will see Vincent play a former factory worker who gets made redundant in 1981 at the factories closure after having worked at the plant since 1965 building the Hillman Imp, Hillman Hunter and Talbot Sunbeam over his career.
The Renfrewshire-based actor is also well known for playing the leading role of Wolfman in the 1985 Cult Scottish movie Restless Natives.
Other notable TV appearances include High Road and Taggart and most recently Vincent featured in the Scottish movie Angel’s Share, directed by Ken Loach.
The play opens in Greenock at the brand new multi-million pound Beacon Arts Centre and visits Eastwood Theatre in Giffnock, The Platform Easterhouse, Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline, East Kilbride Arts Centre, Bathgate Regal, Irvine’s Harbour Arts Centre and will culminate with a special performance held within the only remaining building of the former factory at Linwood on November 7. The factory closed after only 18 years and lay derelict for many years before being transformed into a retail park in the 1990s. Playwright Paul Coulter explained: “2013 is an important year for the Hillman Imp and for the village of Linwood.
“For many years the story of Linwood has been neglected and it is important that in the 50th anniversary of the factory opening we celebrate the success of the Hillman Imp motor car and the huge contribution the people of Linwood made to Scotland and the UK’s motoring heritage.
“The Hillman Imp was one of the first cars with a hatch back, automatic choke, aluminium engine, split folding rear seats and pneumatic throttle.
“The car was way ahead of it’s time at launch and it’s achievements need to be recognised.” The production is being directed by well known Scottish theatre director Liz Carruthers, known for directing many plays at the successful A Play, A Pie and a Pint series at Oran Mor in Glasgow.
Paul Coulter is also author of a book telling the Linwood story called Our Hillman Imp.
Tickets can be bought direct from the theatres with more information available at www.white-stag.co.uk.
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