New present about ‘Hercules the Bear’ to tour Scotland this Autumn

This autumn, Tenterhooks will carry the unimaginable true story of Hercules the Bear to the stage for the primary time, touring theatres and group venues throughout Scotland from twenty seventh September to twenty ninth October. Inspired by the unbelievable life story of the 10-foot grizzly bear raised in Stirlingshire by human dad and mom, Hercules the Bear goals to introduce Scotland’s world-famous furry large to a complete new era.

Don’t you like a tall story? Like the one concerning the Scottish couple who raised a 10-foot grizzly bear of their house? Sounds loopy, nevertheless it’s no joke. It occurred in Sheriffmuir within the Eighties!

Brought to Scottish phases by an excellent workforce of creatives led by artist, designer and Tenterhooks member Fergus Dunnet, Hercules the Bear tells the fully true story of the grizzly bear purchased by Andy and Maggie Robin for £50 from Kingussie’s Highland Wildlife Park, which they raised to turn out to be a recent Scottish people hero. First showing alongside Andy on the wrestling circuit, Hercules would go on to attain worldwide fame after his disappearance whereas filming a Kleenex advert on Benbecula led to a 24-day bear hunt like no different.

Chat present appearances, a documentary, and a co-starring position alongside James Bond would observe; and now, in the end, Hercules’ story will likely be instructed on stage for the primary time. Hercules the Bear stars Ben Winger and Diane Thornton as Hercules’ beloved dad and mom, trainers and bear fanatics Andy and Maggie Robin, with Suzie Ferguson as Hercules. While Andy sadly handed away in 2019, Maggie is carefully concerned with the manufacturing and can make a post-show look in Ayr on Saturday twenty seventh September to debate her ‘gentle giant’.

Maggie Robin, adopted mom of Hercules the Bear, commented: “I’m so excited that the story of Hercules – and Andy and I – will be told on stage for the first time. Our time with Hercules was so precious so it’s just a pleasure to get to relive it once again. The show Tenterhooks have created is such a great tribute to our special bear for so many reasons, but perhaps most notably because the Hercules puppets are so lifelike! I’m so thrilled to be involved with the tour and can’t wait for Hercules to meet audiences the length and breadth of Scotland once again.”

Presented by Tenterhooks – acclaimed Scottish producers of accessible and fascinating theatre for audiences of all ages – Hercules the Bear combines theatre, bodily comedy and puppetry to inform the wild, humorous and touching true story of how a really particular grizzly bear grew to become a people legend. Featuring unimaginable puppets made by Fergus Dunnet and Gretchen Maynard-Hahn, and expertly dropped at life by Suzie Ferguson, it is a fittingly extraordinary tribute to Scotland’s most well-known bear, to be loved by the entire household.

Tenterhooks (Diane Thornton, Suzie Ferguson and Fergus Dunnet) commented: “It’s such a joy to be bringing the story of Hercules, Andy, and Maggie to Scottish stages – and we’re so pleased to have Maggie’s blessing and for her to join us at various points throughout the tour. Hercules is truly a contemporary Scottish folk hero, so it’s a real honour to be able to introduce him to a whole new generation across the country – we can’t wait to get started!”

First premiered to sold-out audiences and rave reactions on North Uist final yr, Hercules the Bear now excursions because of the Creative Scotland Touring Fund. The tour begins in Ayr on twenty seventh September earlier than visiting Edinburgh, Dunkeld, Cumbernauld, Crieff, New Galloway, Stranraer, Paisley, Glasgow, North Uist, Stornoway, Inverness, Cromarty, Banchory, Dunblane, and concluding in Auchterarder with performances on twenty eighth and twenty ninth October.

Before the tour begins, Tenterhooks presents Gaggle, a theatre efficiency that includes bodily comedy, circus and reside music, made for audiences of younger folks with complicated extra help wants (ASN) and their households. A non-verbal, extremely sensory, and stimulating exploration of the lives of three lighthouse keepers, Gaggle premieres at Beacon Arts Centre on Friday 1st August and at Dunoon Burgh Hall on Saturday 2nd August.

Listings:
The Gaiety, Ayr – Saturday twenty seventh September, 6.30pm
The Studio at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh – Tuesday 30 September, 7pm
Birnam Arts Centre, Dunkeld – Thursday 2 October, 7pm
Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse – Friday 3 October, 7.30pm
Strathearn Arts, Crieff – Saturday 4 October, 6pm
CatStrand, New Galloway – Tuesday 7 October, 7.30pm
Millenium Centre, Stranraer – Wednesday 8 October, 7pm
Paisley Arts Centre – Thursday 9 October, 7pm
Platform, Glasgow – Saturday 11 October, 2pm
Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock – Sunday 12 October, 7pm
Carinish Hall, North Uist – Thursday 16 October, 7pm
An Lanntair, Stornoway, Lewis – Saturday 18 October, 7pm
Eden Court, Inverness – Tuesday 21 October, 7pm
Victoria Hall, Cromarty – Wednesday 22 October, 7pm
The Barn, Banchory – Friday 24 October, 6pm
Victoria Hall, Dunblane – Sunday 26 October, 7pm
Aytoun Hall, Auchterarder – Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October, 7pm

Run Time: 50 minutes

Age Restriction: 6+

Audience Guidance: Involves fairly a big, life like grizzly bear puppet