David MacLennan (theatre practitioner)

David MacLennan (19 June 1948 - 13 June 2014), was a Scottish actor, writer and producer.

Early life

MacLennan's father, Sir Hector MacLennan, was a renowned gynaecologist and obstetrician. His mother, Isobel Adam, was also a doctor and public health activist. He was the youngest of four children, including his brother Robert Maclennan, Baron Maclennan of Rogart, a Liberal Democrat life peer, and sister Elizabeth MacLennan, an actor with whom he would work throughout his life. Growing up, Jimmy Logan was a neighbour and influence. MacLennan went to Drumtochty Preparatory School, and Fettes College in Edinburgh, before attending Edinburgh University without taking a degree.[1] His first marriage, to Ferelith Lean, was later dissolved. In 1988 he married again, to the actress Juliet Cadzow. They had one son, Shane.

Career

Main article: 7:84

MacLennan co-founded the Scottish left-wing agitprop theatre group 7:84 in 1971, with his sister Elizabeth and her husband John McGrath. In 1978 he created the influential Wildcat Stage Productions and worked with these two companies for most of his life.[2]

In 2004, MacLennan created "A Play, A Pie And A Pint" at the Òran Mór in Glasgow; a lunchtime theatre concept which has since been implemented around the world. A Documentary about this work by BBC 2 Scotland (titled "A Play, A Pie And A Pint: Scotland's Theatre Revolution") was announced on the day of MacLennan's death.[3]

Death

In 2013 Maclennan was diagnosed with Motor neurone disease, dying in hospital in Glasgow the next year, aged 65.[4]

References

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