ROB ROY is a new musical on a legendary Scottish hero from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The book, music, and lyrics are by David Warrack (www.david warrack.ca) who is one of Canada's most produced composers, having written dozens of musicals and revues for the professional stage, including some of the longest running shows in Canadian Theatrical History. ROB ROY premiered at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival to wonderful reviews. "Full of emotional resonance" (The Scotsman); "Even made an English girl like me feel the urge to stand up and pledge my allegiance to that blue and white flag!" (Three Weeks in Edinburgh). The musical stars George Masswohl as Rob Roy (Sweeney in the Toronto production of Sweeney Todd), Susan Gilmour as his wife Mary (Fantine in Les Miserable on Broadway), and David Dunbar as the Duke of Montrose (winner of Best Actor award in Chicago for his King Arthur in Camelot) as well as a stellar supporting cast of top professional actors and musicians. The story covers a dramatic period in Scottish history, shortly after the Act of Union, and begins with the Duke of Montrose declaring Rob a wanted man due to the disappearance of One Thousand English Pounds he had lent him to purchase cattle. For ten years, Rob was pursued, often captured, but always escaping, and in the process he became the stuff of legend and a rallying voice for the Jacobite cause. His love story with the exceptional Mary MacGregor sustains them through unbearable hardships. It is a story of love, honour, and loyalty entangled with the terrifying politics of lies, greed and treachery. High drama indeed, and opportunities for a soaring musical score. The musical is projected for a North American production in 2008.
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