A play that explores the story of Aberdeen’s own version of Oliver Twist will soon be opening its curtains to theatre-goers.
Lottie, presented by the Mitchell School of Drama and Garidge Theatre, chronicles the life of a young girl brought up in a north-east poorhouse.
Ten years ago, the show’s creators were inspired by the tale of Lottie Macdonald who, in a Twist-style story, was born in a poorhouse and later adopted by the wealthy governor and matron who ran the building.
In this year’s adaption, a cast of 29 young people from across the north-east will bring the story to life with Ruby Harrison, from Inverurie, playing the title role.
In the work, a mixture of songs, written entirely in Doric, and dance explore the lives of the historical characters and reflect an important part of the region’s history.
The play is part of the Aberdeen International Festival of Youth Arts (AIFYA) and will be a highlight of the festival, according to manager Amanda MacLeod.
She said: “Lottie was first performed at [the former] AIYF in 2008 and it seems apt that, 10 years on, Mitchell School of Drama, who have performed every year at the festival since 2006, have returned to perform this piece.
“Lottie is a play with music based on the lives of real young people created by real young people.
“More research has taken place and the play has been expanded through further research on the poorhouses of the region in the 19th and 20th century.
“I am very much looking forward to experiencing their performance of this tale… and it’s in Doric which I know our international visitors will love.”
Prior to 1895, poor relief in Aberdeen was divided between two parishes: St Nicholas, to the east of Den Burn, and Old Machar to the west.
And Buchan, in Aberdeenshire, had one of Scotland’s greatest concentrations of parochial poorhouses.
The updated version of Lottie has been directed and choreographed by Rhona Mitchell, with music by Ashley Forbes.
Ms Mitchell said: “We have a fantastic team behind us, I am very lucky.
“The kids have been great at learning Doric and the story is really a patchwork of all the research we have done into the history of poorhouses we have done over the years.”
The performance dates include The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on July 31 and August 1, Stewart’s Hall, Huntly on August 2 and Peterhead Community Theatre on August 3.