Make It Happen | National Theatre of Scotland

Overview

Behold the rise, fall and fail of the biggest bank in the world – The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Helmed by Fred “The Shred” Goodwin, with his fervent belief in the wisdom of the ‘founder of modern capitalism’, Adam Smith, the once prudent RBS soars and then plummets, placing Scotland at the heart of the global financial crash of 2008.

Set in Edinburgh, Make It Happen sees legendary actor Brian Cox return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade as Adam Smith, the ghost of fiscal past. Written by James Graham (Sherwood, Dear England), hailed as one of the most influential and finger-on-the-pulse writers of our time, and directed by the award-winning Andrew Panton, this bitingly funny new satire delves into the unchecked growth, spiralling greed and nail-biting hubris that brought the world’s economy to its knees.

Written by James Graham

Directed by Andrew Panton

Co-produced by National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival
and Dundee Rep Theatre

In association with Playful Productions and Neal Street Productions

Supported by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown

This is a fictionalised satire, featuring a mixture of characters and incidents inspired by real-life events, with others entirely imagined.

5 Stars
a delicious form of revenge therapy
Scottish Daily Mail

5 Stars
Graham has done it again – turned complex history into theatrical gold.
The Telegraph

5 Stars
Andrew Panton directs a sharp-suited Greek chorus… to perfection
Fest Mag

4 Stars
Sandy Grierson ... plays Goodwin with beautiful malice
WhatsOnStage

4 Stars
big, spectacular and ambitious
The Scotsman

5 Stars
a hugely impressive achievement, a Scottish theatre company telling a Scottish story in a fresh and compelling way.
Across the Arts

5 Stars
enthralling script and an exhilarating, imaginative production
North West End

4 Stars
two towering central performances by Grierson and Cox
The Herald

5 Stars
The writing is world-class, the performances are top of their game and it’s a stunning show
Broadway Baby

4 Stars
preposterous and perfect
The List

4 Stars
Catastrophic economic meltdown shouldn’t be this fun.
Financial Times

4 Stars
a substantial evening full of entertainment
The Arts Desk

Cast

Team

Name
Phij Adams
Role
Music Technology
Name
Rachel Amey
Role
BSL Interpreter
Name
Clara Anderson
Role
Lighting Technician
Name
Karin Anderson
Role
Lighting Programmer
Name
Emily Jane Boyle
Role
Movement Director
Name
Stuart Burt CDG
Role
Casting Director
Name
Debbie Campbell
Role
Assistant Stage Manager (Rehearsal)
Name
Glenda Carson
Role
Captioner
Name
Hazel Ann Crawford
Role
Audio Describer
Name
Niall Casserly
Role
Musical Director
Name
Fee Dalgleish
Role
Lighting Supervisor
Name
Tingying Dong
Role
Sound Designer
Name
Helen Drew
Role
Stage Manager
Name
Sophie Ferguson
Role
Wardrobe Supervisor
Name
Chris Fisher
Role
Illusions
Name
Anna Fleischle
Role
Set Designer, Costume Co-Designer & Video Co-Designer
Name
MK Giannico
Role
Sound Technician
Name
James Graham
Role
Writer
Name
Lewis den Hertog
Role
Video Co-Designer & Animator
Name
Naomi Hoolahan
Role
Company Manager
Name
Alex Hopkins
Role
Production Electrician
Name
Will Houstoun
Role
Illusions
Name
Leila Kalbassi
Role
Head of Scenic Design
Name
Dave Lawson
Role
Flyman
Name
Martin Lowe
Role
Musical Supervisor & Arranger
Name
Gabriel Margolis
Role
Assistant MD
Name
Facundo Mato
Role
Head of Sound and Video
Name
Cleo McCabe
Role
Wardrobe Deputy
Name
Anne McCluskey
Role
Producer [Freelance]
Name
Will McLeod
Role
Automation Supervisor
Name
Ben Morgan
Role
Stage Supervisor
Name
Will Mortimer
Role
Dramaturg
Name
Emily Oulton
Role
Associate Director
Name
Andrew Panton
Role
Director
Name
Tom Penny
Role
Associate Sound Designer and Sound Supervisor
Name
Lizzie Powell
Role
Lighting Designer
Name
Andy Reid
Role
Video Supervisor
Name
Angelica Rush
Role
Associate Set Designer & Costume Co-Designer
Name
Jean Sangster
Role
Voice Consultant
Name
Emma Skaer
Role
Deputy Stage Manager
Name
Kris Smart
Role
Workshop Assistant
Name
Mikah Smillie
Role
Associate Movement Director
Name
Malcolm Stephen
Role
Technical Manager
Name
Gemma Swallow
Role
Production Manager
Name
Keiron Sweeney
Role
Head of Workshop
Name
Ola Szczygiel
Role
Wigs, Hair and Makeup Technician & Dresser
Name
Yvonne Waddell
Role
BSL Interpreter
Name
Lucy May Wilson
Role
Assistant Stage Manager
Name
Leo Wittwer
Role
Video Programmer

Explore

Videos

Make It Happen | Photoshoot BTS
Make It Happen | What have the cast learned?
Make It Happen | What will surprise audiences?
Make It Happen | Plot in 30 Seconds

Rehearsal Images

Production Images

Access

Make It Happen | Access