David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns via Getty ImagesFounding Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler is writing the music and lyrics for a new stage musical based on the award-winning 1983 film Local Hero. It’s scheduled to open at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, U.K., in the spring of 2019.
Knopfler also composed and produced the soundtrack to the movie, which was written and directed by Scottish filmmaker Bill Forsyth.
Local Hero tells the story of a young American oil-company rep who is sent to northern Scotland to negotiate the purchase of a small seaside town where his firm plans to build a refinery. Forsyth is co-writing the book for the stage production with David Greig, The Lyceum’s artistic director.
“Local Hero is one of those great Scottish stories that has captured the imaginations of people across the world, it has been one of my favorite films since I first saw it as a teenager,” says Grieg in a statement. “To have the chance to revisit these wonderful characters to help create a musical is an absolute delight, but to be working alongside Bill Forsyth and Mark Knopfler…is a dream come true.”
After its run at The Royal Lyceum Theatre, the Local Hero musical will move to London’s famed West End venue The Old Vic.
As previously reported, Knopfler will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Dire Straits on April 14 in Cleveland.
Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
