January 24th 2025.
Famous actor Brian Cox, known for his role in Succession, is making a highly-anticipated return to the Scottish stage after a decade. This time, he will be portraying renowned economist Adam Smith in a new production that centers around the 2008 financial crash.
The Edinburgh International Festival has just announced that it will open with a thought-provoking play titled Make It Happen. This co-production between the National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival, and Dundee Rep Theatre aims to shed light on the rise, fall, and failure of the world's biggest bank at the time - The Royal Bank of Scotland.
Under the leadership of Fred Goodwin, who strongly believed in the principles of Adam Smith, RBS went from being a financially responsible institution to a catastrophic downfall, ultimately causing Scotland to be at the epicenter of the global financial crisis. Set in Edinburgh, this satirical production humorously delves into the unchecked growth and greed that led to the collapse of the world economy.
The play, written by renowned playwright and screenwriter James Graham, who is known for his work on popular TV shows such as Sherwood and Dear England, will feature the talented Brian Cox as the pioneering Scottish economist, Adam Smith. Cox expressed his excitement to be working with Graham, a brilliant writer, and also mentioned his joy at returning to Scotland after a long hiatus.
The play's focus, Fred Goodwin, was born in Paisley and served as the Chief Executive Officer of RBS from 2001 to 2009. During his time at the helm, RBS became the world's largest company, only to suffer a rapid and devastating downfall in 2008. Make It Happen is the first major artistic piece that delves into RBS's role in the tumultuous period of the financial crash, making it a significant addition to recent history.
Graham, who started his writing career in Edinburgh, expressed his honor and thrill to be a part of the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival program this summer. He also mentioned his excitement to work with the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep, as well as with the talented Brian Cox, whom he has been eager to write for since the beginning of his career.
Graham further explained that the play not only aims to explore the 2008 financial crash, but also the lingering effects and divisions it has caused. However, he assures that the play will be an entertaining mix of music, storytelling, and larger-than-life characters, with a touch of cheeky humor and even some ghosts from Scotland's rich history.
Make It Happen will have a preview at Dundee Rep Theatre in late July, followed by its grand opening at the Edinburgh International Festival from 1-9 August. With such an impressive lineup and a thought-provoking theme, this play is definitely one to watch out for. To stay updated on the latest cultural events, don't forget to subscribe to Scottish Field.
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