Prime Productions

Prime Productions is a theatre company based in Currie, Midlothian, whose slogan is 'Taking theatre to audiences across Scotland'. The company is chaired by Edward Argent, former Director of the School of Drama at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. The Artistic Director is Martin Heller, an actor and director based in Scotland since 1952.

Company History

1985 The company was founded by Rose McBain, Thelma Rogers and Martin Heller specifically to mount a production of Ena Lamont Stewart's trilogy Will You Still Need Me. These three one act plays had not been performed professionally before and proved to be a great success with both critics and the public.

1986 Uncorking Old Sherry by John Cargill Thompson, directed by Sandy Neilson with Martin Heller as Sheridan. Presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

1990 Uncorking Old Sherry revived in a new production directed by Edward Argent. The production remains in the company's repertoire for several years and tours include Belfast and Holland.

1991 Herr Bach and Mr Handel by John Ringham, directed by John Carnegie, designed by Colin McNeil, with Martin Heller and John Shedden as Bach & Handel. Opened at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, toured throughout Scotland and England including.

1992 The Wilderness of Monkeys and Every Inch a King by John Cargill Thompson presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where the double bill won a Fringe First.

1993 Whisky Galore - the Radio Version adapted by Paul Godfrey and directed by Martin Heller presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and toured throughout Scotland.

1994 Shaw? Positive!, two one act plays by Bernard Shaw and additional material by Edward Argent, directed by Jeffrey Daunton, designed by Paul Ambrose Wright. Presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and toured throughout Scotland with Scottish Arts Council support.

1995/6 Splinters adapted by John Shedden from stories by Chekhov, directed by Martin Heller, opened at the Café Royal, Edinburgh and toured in Scotland and England before appearing on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1996.

1997 The Merchant of Venice using the First Folio text, directed by Edward Argent presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before a short Scottish tour.

1998 From Where I'm Standing by John Ringham, directed by Hamish Wilson with Eliza Langland and Finlay McLean. Presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before a Scottish and English tour in 1999.

1999 Search Through the Ashes by Djordje Lebovic, directed by Hamish Wilson with Edward Argent, James McLean, Alastair Ritchie and Gareth Gwilym Williams. Presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and toured to London, Holland and Leicester.

2001 Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon, adapted by Alastair Cording directed by Benjamin Twist. Toured Scotland. Hamlet, directed by Edward Argent, presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

FUTURE PLANS
2003 Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off by Liz Lochhead, directed by Benjamin Twist. Scottish tour March – May.