A new and ambitious theatre company is about to stage its debut production, a revival of Peter Arnott’s Shall Roger Casement Hang? Originally presented in 2016 at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow, the play has not been seen in Scotland since – until now. Union Theatre Company will perform the work at Hill Street Theatre in Edinburgh this June.
Two of the company’s founders, Hannah Bradley-Croall and Gregor McElvogue, took time out from rehearsals to explain their mission and why they’ve chosen the Arnott piece as their first offering to the public.
“Union has been founded in the wake of the closure of Arkle Theatre Company,” says Hannah, “but it’s an entirely new venture.”
She previously directed Gregor as Eisenhower in a superb Arkle production of Pressure, David Haig’s play about the run-up to D-Day, and the crucial advice given to the General by Scottish meteorologist James Stagg.
The new company’s name references the Union canal – its logo depicts a viaduct supported by five arches, representing the five founders – but also suggests “connection and a spirit of collaboration.”
“We want to make interesting theatre available that wouldn’t be seen otherwise,” says Gregor. “Like some of the good work you might see at the Fringe, but presented year-round. We’d love to help Edinburgh become a city where theatre gets developed and made, not just shown.”
For all the temporary theatre infrastructure that appears in August, he argues that Edinburgh lacks a 150-seat black box studio space that’s available to hire at a reasonable rate. Such a venue would alleviate the biggest challenge for independent producers of new drama and selected revivals – the need to provide lighting and sound.
The choice of Shall Roger Casement Hang? as the company’s inaugural show was guided by one consideration in particular.
“We’re looking for uncommonly good theatre that challenges in some ways,” says Gregor.
The play examines the life of Sir Roger Casement, a diplomat, human rights pioneer and Irish nationalist, who was executed for treason after seeking German support for the planned Easter Rising in Ireland. It was written for the centenary of the Rising.
“It’s a cracking script,” says Hannah, who is directing the play. “It’s a very engaging two-hander. Although the playwright has a point of view, the audience is encouraged to make its own mind up.”
“Even in his own time, Casement was a difficult character to assess,” adds Gregor.
The script has a fresh relevance, he says, given that the three devolved governments are all led by nationalists for the first time and, of course, there’s the ongoing debate over a possible second Scottish independence referendum.
Peter Arnott has given the Union production his approval. He will attend the opening night’s performance and take part in a Q&A after the show. It will be a great opportunity to hear directly from someone who has been described as ‘one of Scotland’s most beloved and prolific playwrights’.
Runs 15 to 19 June 2026 at Hill Street Theatre, Edinburgh
