The partner of late East Kilbride theatre director Michael Emans has said he would have been "delighted" to see their life's work continue.
As Rapture Theatre prepare to bring Tony award-winning play The Beauty Queen of Leenane to his hometown theatre, director Lyn McAndrew paid tribute to her beloved partner in life and art.
Lyn told Lanarkshire Live : "Michael and I ran Rapture Theatre together for 21 years so I'm continuing what we did together.
"Without Michael being here it's obviously a lot harder because we were always able to discuss everything and put ideas past each other. It's difficult now that he's not here, and very sad.
"But on the other hand Michael's whole adage was that 'the show must go on' and I know he would be delighted that we're keeping the theatre company going - because that was our life's work."
East Kilbride native Michael, who was a leading light in the country's theatre world, secretly battled cancer for some years, leaving behind an incredible repertoire of work.
Now his beloved theatre company are gaining rave reviews for black comedy thriller, The Beauty Queen of Leenane , that has been described as both hilarious and horrific.
The play combines thrilling elements of farce and melodrama with a searing critique on the Irish belief in the sanctity of the family.
In a lonely, run-down cottage in Connemara, Maureen Folan leads an isolated life with Mag, her demanding, manipulative mother. With the arrival of an unexpected admirer, Maureen finally sees the possibility of escaping her dismal life.
However, Mag has other ideas, and the two women are plunged into a desperate conflict which leads to a shocking conclusion.
The Beauty of Queen Leenane is one of playwright Martin McDonagh's ( Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; The Lieutenant of Inishmore ) finest achievements.
Winner of four Tony Awards on Broadway and nominated for an Olivier Award, the play starring Paul Carroll, Julie Hale, Ian O'Reilly and Nuala Walsh, conjures up the unbearable tension and loneliness of an isolated existence that surely speaks to all of us today.
Lyn commented: "The play came from rural Ireland in Galway and ended up in the West End in London and Broadway and won four Tony awards.
"The meteoric rise of the play was incredible, I was totally blown away by it when I saw it in Coventry in 1996. I've always wanted to do it so I'm delighted we're doing it now.
"It's a fantastic play and we have four brilliant Irish actors in it who all have Galway accents, which is great because they pick up all the nuances.
"We've been very lucky with these four actors. They have been in major international tours and were all very keen to do this play."
Theatre-goers are in for a surprise as the play has exciting twists and turns throughout.
Lyn added: "Martin McDonagh who wrote the play is from Galway but was brought up in London which is really important because what you see is someone who is part of the Irish culture but he's actually looking in from the outside as well.
"I think that gives the play a lot of its power - you're seeing it from the inside as well as the outside. It's about Irish life but it's a very modern play as well as being dark and very funny. It's a real rollercoaster for audiences, nothing is what you expect.
"I can't think of another play that better captures the nature of mother and daughter relationships. They fight and they bicker and they don't always get on and there's an element of game-playing and manipulation.
"You're always scared you're not going to do it justice but I think we have, we have a fantastic cast and a great set, it's a big show and I think East Kilbride audiences will really enjoy it."
The Beauty of Queen Leenane opened in Motherwell on September 1 and has toured up and down the country. It runs at East Kilbride Village Theatre on Tuesday, September 20.
Please note the production includes scenes of violence, cruelty and strong language.
Find more dates here.
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