IT should be a new drama with some bite.
A new theatrical version of a bloody cult vampire film is to be unveiled today as one of the highlights of the new season of the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS).
In the final, and extensive, season of the NTS planned by outgoing artistic director Vicky Featherstone, the company will be staging Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindquist, which was turned into an acclaimed horror film in 2008 by Tomas Alfredson.
The story, which follows the both touching and horrific relationship between Oskar, a bullied 12-year-old, and Eli, an ancient vampire in a child's body, will be re-set in Dundee and premiered at the Dundee Rep Theatre next year.
Featherstone, who is leaving the NTS at Christmas to take the reins at the Royal Court in London after eight years in Scotland, said of the vampire story: "The story itself is an extraordinary one. It is a deeply felt love story and that sense of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the world of coldness seems just right for a Scottish audience.
"It will be a really thrilling production for us to get our teeth into, so to speak.
"It will premiere in Dundee, but if it delights the people of Dundee it would be nice to think it would have a future life in other places."
It will be directed by Black Watch's John Tiffany, below.
He will work with Steven Hoggett as associate director. The two previously worked together on Black Watch, The Bacchae and most recently on Once, the winner of eight Tony awards, which is playing on Broadway.
Other shows will include a new version of Ibsen's A Doll's House, a new take on Hogg's Confessions of a Justified Sinner and, directed by Graham McLaren, a reworking of Joe Corrie's classic tale of striking miners, In Time O'Strife, to tour Fife village halls.
Featherstone said of the latter: "A good test of a classic is whether it can survive a robust re-interpretation beyond its original production and Graham is sure it can."
The NTS will tour three established productions, and will take David Greig's Dunsinane to Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Black Watch to Seattle and San Francisco, and David Harrower's adaptation of Calum's Road throughout Scotland.
Featherstone said: "At a time when the arts are facing some of their greatest challenges for a while, it is wonderful to know that our theatre makers continue to energetically pursue thrilling ways to tell stories and connect with audiences.
"I feel very proud of the 2013 season. I wanted to leave the company with a new show every month, with a strong touring line up, with a strong organisation.
"I feel really sad, I have had an amazing job and it has changed my view of theatre, but it is right to leave before you get stale."
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