Mary Queen of Scots play is Italian job

Published on Saturday 15 May 2004 01:00

A PLAY about Mary Queen of Scots written by an Edinburgh artist is to be performed in Italy.

Lucy Ross, a graduate of The Royal College of Art, has penned the script about the life of the queen, which will be staged in a castello near Milan in October.

The entire cast has been drawn from the local area for the play, which is being produced with the help of Edinburgh design and communications agency Design Links.

Ms Ross has also designed the costumes and painted the backdrops for the production in the 12th-century setting.

She said: "This is a writing ‘first’ for me but is, like my painting, all about trying to get beneath the surface of appearances trying to find something unusual.

"It is very much a personal interpretation of a complex subject who fascinates me. I am fortunate that my interest is shared by the local people, including the local priest. They’re all so enthusiastic which is great."

Mike Stevenson, director of Design Links, who sourced the music, said: "It’s good to be part of the cultural cross-fertilisation between Scotland and Italy, which goes back such a long way in the history of our two countries. I found it impossible to resist getting involved."