Two Perth institutions, St. Johnstone FC and Perth Theatre are teaming up to create a new show about the club and the role it plays in the city.
This exciting new project will see key parts of the club's history acted out on stage in a future production.
Supporters will be at the heart of the story, so fans are being asked to share their experiences, memories and stories of the club.
From Ando’s opening goal to Macca’s clincher at Celtic Park – Perth Theatre wants to know what it was it like to be part of a crowd of die-hard fans when Saints won the Scottish Cup? Or how did it feel not to be part of a crowd when Rooney sealed the deal in 2021? Fans can tell stories from long ago or last season, or contribute what St. Johnstone means to them personally – is it a favourite manager, player, tea lady or other connection?
The stories, which should be true, short and sweet (Caroline) - no longer than 300 words or 3 minutes in length, can be written down or sent as a voice recording by phone or uploaded to the Theatre's DropBox on the Saintees on Stage page at www.horsecross.co.uk.
Lu Kemp, Artistic Director at Perth Theatre said:
“At Perth Theatre we want to tell great stories that speak to the very heart of our audience - and St. Johnstone strikes the heart of so many locally. We got so much out of building our show two years ago in conversation with local farmers – A Six Inch Layer of Topsoil and The Fact it Rains - that we want to make a bigger scale show in the same way, in conversation with St. Johnstone’s fans.
"We hope to tell a story which is familiar and surprising, recognisable and though-provoking, but most of all a story which is funny, packed with banter and song, and which makes fans want to get on their feet and cheer.”
St. Johnstone midfielder, Murray Davidson, who is the club's top-flight record appearance holder, added:
"It's really exciting news that the club will be the subject of a new play by Perth Theatre. We've been part of the Perth community for a long time and it's a great thing for us to be recognised in this way.
"Football is all about the supporters and it's only right that they will be at the heart of this production and will be able to share their stories on what the club means to them.
"I live in Perth and have played for the club for 11 years, so St. Johnstone means a lot to me. I have my own connection with the club and I'd encourage supporters to submit their own memories to the Theatre."
Perth Theatre will be also be running Team Talk, a series of online presentations and discussions where famous fans of the club share their own memories with fans. Famous Saintees who have already signed up for the talks include Stuart Cosgrove, Colin McCredie and Eve Muirhead. More information will follow as dates are confirmed.
Local groups will be able to get involved in a range of specifically designed activities on the theme of football memories as the project unfolds.
Perth Theatre would also like to hear from any local businesses who may be interested in supporting the project by sponsorship or other means, and invites anyone who would like to explore this option to contact the Development Team at development@horsecross.co.uk.
Send your audio to 07813 396 517 or upload it to https://bit.ly/saintfc or email your story here: saintsfc@horsecross.co.uk before the deadline of 10am on Monday 17 May 2021.
Friday 12 March 2021