Right Lines Productions release lockdown-inspired online play 'Morrison's Van'

A LOCAL theatre company has released a new coronavirus lockdown-inspired episode of a series first released in 2011.

Alves-based Right Lines Productions premiered the stand-alone episode of online radio comedy 'Morrison’s Van' on Saturday, June 20 but all five programmes will be available to listeners until the end of July.

Co-writer Euan Martin confirmed the first four were re-released at the start of the lockdown in response to the need for online entertainment and the new stand-alone is bang up-to-date.

He said: "The original series was a comedy murder-mystery set in the world of mobile retail: Dod Morrison runs an old-fashioned mobile shop that tours round his local glen, offering an essential service to folk who perhaps don’t, or can’t get out to the shops in town. He also provides another essential service: gossip! Dod is joined by Katrina, a student on work experience. They form an unlikely partnership when an old customer is found dead in mysterious circumstances and over the four episodes, they solve the mystery.

"This new broadcast is a one-off episode of Morrison's Van set in current times. Dod is considering retirement, but Katrina - now in her final year at University - pays him a visit, explains that he is a keyworker and convinces him to get Morrison’s van back on the road!"

Actors Ron Emslie and Helen Mackay agreed to revisit the roles of Dod and Katrina once again, and 'Morrison’s Van - Lockdown' was recorded via Zoom with post-prodution undertaken by James Bryce, who also directed and edited the original series.

Euan said: "Ron lives in Herne Bay in Kent, Helen is in Glasgow, James lives in Gorebridge, Right Lines co-writer Dave Smith in Tain and I'm in Alves so it was a nationwide gathering to record the piece. It was all done very quickly, with a read-through/rehearsal one night and then a recording on another evening the following week. James added the sound effects in post-production and the finished episode was ready for uploading two days later."

Right Lines always planned to revisit the characters in Morrison's Van but could not find a way until now.

Euan said: "Given the crucial role van drivers have played during lockdown, we thought it would be fun to write a new episode set during the pandemic and, in a way, celebrate the work of these essential delivery services.

"As the characters already existed, it was a relatively quick and easy process to write up a piece placing them in a contemporary context. This was also our way of marking these extraordinary times and listeners will identify with the numerous lockdown references during the show."

The project has been self-funded by Right Lines but any contribution towards the costs of the production will be appreciated.

"As Morrison's Van was an existing show, we released it free of charge, but donations were welcome," explained Euan. "The new show was professionally produced and is also free to listen, but we encourage folk to pay what they can to contribute to the costs of the production."

Writing and producing Morrison’s Van - Lockdown was Euan and Dave's way of keeping Right Lines going during difficult times.

Euan said: "The lockdown has changed our approach to the way we present our work and we will be focusing on material that can be released in an online format for the next while at least. It is unlikely live theatre will be possible for some months yet, so we have to be resourceful and adapt. "Hopefully though, Right Lines will be back presenting our trademark comedy shows in a village hall near you in the not too distant future!"

To listen to Morrison's Van visit www.rightlines.net/rightlines/morrisons-van-lockdown