THERE’s a lot that has been written about the Loch Ness monster but who knew she could sing? Or that she prefers to be called Nessa? And definitely does not identify as a monster?
This secret side of the fabled inhabitant of the country’s second longest loch is about to be revealed in a new musical by the award-winning composer and musical director Shonagh Murray.
It’s the latest show in a recent explosion of musical theatre in Scotland which has seen Islander, created on the Isle of Mull, being staged off-Broadway.
Nessie is the third musical written by Murray, who believes there are more Scottish myths and stories that have the potential to be explored in a musical way.
“Musicals are associated with the US and there is an identity of English musical theatre but I think Scotland has huge potential for its own heritage and culture and how that can interweave with the musical theatre structure from the US,” she told the Sunday National.
“It really is brilliant to see what has been happening in the last five years or so. Scotland has a voice in this space and something new to say and there are so many talented new and established writers. It is worth celebrating.”
The idea of turning the story of the Loch Ness monster into a musical occurred to Murray in 2019 following a conversation with her father.
Having already written two musicals about the life and legacy of Robert Burns, she was casting around for new ideas when she thought of Nessie.
“We ended up joking about how a musical about the Loch Ness monster would go and on a dare I just decided to write an opening number,” said Murray.
“I wasn’t thinking it would go anywhere but the more I wrote, the more I enjoyed it and realised there was a story there.”
This coincided with the launch of a Musicals Commissioning Hub which aims to nurture Scottish talent and highlight Scottish stories.
The hub is a joint venture by Edinburgh’s Capital Theatres and Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Nessie is the first fully fledged production to emerge. The show has already begun rehearsals at Pitlochry where Alan Cumming is the new artistic director.
He said: “One of the things I want to do is celebrate and elevate great Scottish women, and who is more Scottish and iconic than Nessie? I look forward to finding out more about her life and loves, and especially to hearing her sing!”
Murray remains open-minded about whether a monster actually lurks in the waters of Loch Ness and is conscious of the fact that some people may believe there is something there.
“There are crazier things in the world than a larger water creature living in Loch Ness and I would never want to be so arrogant to think I know everything about the natural world,” she said.
“However, it was a tricky story to take on because so many people feel a connection to it in some way. That is the charm of the story but it can also can be a bit of a trap – how do you tell a story that everyone already knows and how can you find an angle that is going to teach new things or ask new questions of people? That has been a really challenging yet really rewarding process.”
The main themes of the show are about belonging, finding a voice and looking beyond first impressions.
“Also you can’t talk about the Loch Ness monster without bringing up environmental issues and thinking about the natural world,” said Murray.
Ostensibly for children, Murray has tried to make sure the show will appeal to all ages.
“I have always loved Disney and Pixar films which are technically for younger audiences but there are always strands of that which land with older audiences as well,” she said. “I try to aspire to that level of writing where we are writing for a younger audience but there is something for all ages in it.”
Nessie will premiere in at The Studio at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre from March 28-April 5 and will then transfer to Pitlochry Festival Theatre from July 9-August 16.
Murray is hoping it will tour after these performances, as she wants as many people as possible to see the colourful, intricate puppets created by Ella Mackay for Nessa and the other aquatic inhabitants of the loch.
“These puppets are the most magical, amazing things so fingers crossed they can visit even further afield,” said Murray.
Fiona Gibson, chief executive of Capital Theatres, said the objective of the commissioning hub was to help Scottish talent to “kick start” creative producing opportunities, following a “a very difficult period for the arts”.
“We are proud that this truly Scottish story with our magnificent cast and beautiful puppet beasties on stage with our brilliant creative team, is getting its chance to shine,” she added.
