The writer behind the smash-hit Bay City Rollers musical has revealed the stage production is a tribute to his superfan late wife.
Award-winning TV, film and theatre screenwriter Danny McCahon has brought Rollermania back to life with Rollers Forever, which celebrates the music, memories and enduring fandom of Scotland’s most famous pop export.
Written by Danny and directed by Liz Carruthers, the musical premiered in August last year at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre, where it proved an instant hit with tartan-clad singalong audiences.
A personal tribute to Susan
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail, Danny said he was determined to get every minute detail right for Susan, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in April last year and got to see the production before passing away in June, aged 63.
Danny, 67, who was born in Greenock, said: “The cast are looking absolutely fantastic. The music is great, the choreography is brilliant, and I’m just dead proud that my name’s on it. The show was written for a specific audience, and that audience showed up.
“And when I say a specific audience, that includes my wife, who I lost just a few months ago. So, when I was writing this last year, she was an invaluable source for my research into Rollermania. I suppose it was sort of her I was writing it for, and women like her, who had lived through that in the 70s, and held on to their affection for the Bay City Rollers.”
Susan’s seal of approval
Danny added: “Last year, Susan was able to come along to the opening night with walking sticks and see the show. I was just really pleased that she got to see it but more importantly, I was pleased she liked it.
“And I also got a real seal of approval from her and her friends. Women, who had been her friends in their teenage years, have since been to see different performances and text me saying they loved reminising. Someone said to me that, ‘For two hours there, you let us relive our youth, and that’s a very, very good thing.’ To hear that, it’s just great.”
The Rollers began their climb to the top of the charts in the early 70s, but it was Shang-a-Lang that really kick-started Rollermania. At the height of Rollermania, the band enjoyed No1 singles including Give A Little Love, Saturday Night and Bye Bye Baby, sell-out tours and their own television show.
Returning to the stage
Following last year’s run of sold-out performances, the show is returning to the stage on October 14. Rather than offering a traditional biography of the band, Rollers Forever takes audiences on a nostalgic trip back to the height of Rollermania, telling the story of two lifelong fans as they look back on their teen obsession.
Liam Harkins and Fiona Wood play Alec and Jenny, while Clare Nolan and Rachel Campbell portray Cerys and Angel Girl. The show kicks off in Glasgow before heading to Aberdeen and finishing in Edinburgh – the home of the Bay City Rollers.
Danny, a dad of four and grandad of five, has contributed to many of the UK’s best loved series, including Taggart, Casualty and Waterloo Road.
He said: “Initially I was approached by the producers asking if I would be interested in writing something celebrating the Bay City Rollers. Immediately, I thought, well, if you’re celebrating the Bay City Rollers, what we’re celebrating is all those girls who lived around me in the 70s – that real affection they had for their band.
“It was a time, and I’m sure it still happens in generations, when people find their tribe. The Rollers fans were so visible and I felt I couldn’t let those girls down. They’re all grown women now but there’s a responsibility in properly reflecting these people.”
Donald MacLeod, an executive producer of the musical, said: “The Bay City Rollers were a big part of my childhood, people were dressing up and Shang-a-Langing, it was a fantastic time. Last year’s performances brought smiles to so many faces. It is a delight that the show is going to be touring again this year.”
