As part of Ayr Gaiety Lockdown season, a film, created online under lockdown, and with the rather wonderful and intriguing title of The Rise and Fall of the Miraculous Vespas will be available to view.
Written by Glasgow born David F Ross, and based on his internationally successful novel The Last Days of Disco, the 50 minute production has been created as a response to these strange times we are all living in at present. Withsome very strong language, it stars leading Scottish actors from stage and screen, Tam Dean Burn, Sarah McCardie and Colin McCredie.
David says, “My initial idea for how this would work has been completely surpassed. The cast have brought amazing talent to the piece. Overall it’s so much more than I hoped for. The creative experience has been really special, and a lot of fun.”
The story is about when a young Ayrshire band miraculously hits the big time with the smash hit record of 1984 and international stardom beckons despite having a delusional teenage manager propelled by a dark, malign voice in his head …Can Max Mojo’s band of talented social misfits repeat the success and pay back the mounting debts accrued from an increasingly agitated cartel of local gangsters? Or will they have to kidnap Boy George …?
The script was developed by David F Ross along with actor, director and playwright Stuart Hepburn who was behind the whole rehearsal and filming process who says, “To begin with I was still thinking in terms of theatre but I soon realised I needed to bring all my filmmaking experience to bear. It’s become something quite special and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do.”
Production Designer of Into Creative and third member of the creative team Stephen Cameron has risen to the challenges of creating a film with the cast being at home. He says, “…It’s been a real pleasure as well as a lot of hard work.”
The Rise and Fall of the Miraculous Vespas and live Q&A will be shown as part of the Gaiety Lockdown season at 7.00pm on 30th and 31st July.
Full listing information is available on the Gaiety’s Lockdown website.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 