Chicago Shakespeare bringing National Theatre of Scotland to Hideout

Duncan McLean, writer and performer of Long Gone Lonesome

Photo: Rebecca Marr

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which brought the National Theatre of Scotland's stunning Black Watch to the Broadway Armory, will present another of that theater's productions in February, on a much smaller scale and in another unexpected space: the Hideout. The homey music venue will play host to Long Gone Lonesome, a piece by Duncan McLean about Thomas Fraser, a Shetland fisherman with a passion for American country and blues music. Fraser made thousands of home recordings for friends and family, mastering the styles of such musicians as Hank Williams and Big Bill Broonzy; after his grandson discovered the tapes 25 years after Fraser's death, several volumes of his work have been released. In Lonesome, directed by Vicky Featherston, McLean and the Lone Star Swing Band tell his story; the show is followed by "a joyous post-performance dance party," which sounds pretty Hideout-y, all told. Long Gone Lonesome runs February 2–4; tickets are on sale now.