Perth Theatre couple say ‘I Do! I Do!’ on Perth stage

Apr 29 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

LIFE has come full circle for husband and wife team Ian Grieve and Amanda Beveridge who are appearing together on the Perth stage where they first met 20 years ago!

The Perth couple are producing and appearing in the musical I Do! I Do! at Perth Theatre, presented in partnership with Horsecross Arts, from next Thursday to Saturday (May 5-7).

A huge success on Broadway when it opened there in 1966, I Do! I Do! has since played to audiences all over the world. The show tells the story of Michael and Agnes from their wedding day through the next 50 years of their married life.

“I Do! I Do! should appeal to just about everyone,” said Amanda Beveridge. “It is a very funny and, at times poignant look at the things most long-standing relationships enjoy and endure.”

Amanda and Ian, who are producing I Do! I Do! in preparation for a national tour, have been acting and directing in Scottish Theatre since the first professional engagement which brought them together in Judy at Perth Theatre in 1991.

They last appeared together on the Perth stage – once again as a married couple – in John Godber’s April in Paris in 1996.

“It’s been a long time, and this new project is both exciting and daunting,” continued Amanda. “Because Ian has worked mostly as a director for the last 15 years, it’s a real challenge to slip back into performing enormous roles such as these.

“Luckily we’ve been performing around Perthshire for the last two years as Maestro Cabaret so the transition has been made slightly easier.”

The couple have brought together a talented team to work on the show including director Rita Henderson. Rita’s work at Perth Theatre has included ‘Laurel & Hardy’, ‘Oliver’, ‘The Boyfriend’ and ‘HMS Pinafore’.

Joining Ian and Mandy on stage is Perth-born musical director Stuart Watson, whose recent work on top-drawer productions has included ‘Cinderella’, ‘Kiss Me Kate’ and ‘Whisky Galore’ at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Dundee Rep.

I Do! I Do! relies on strong visual imagery and clever staging as the whole show takes place in Michael and Agnes’s bedroom. So adding flair to the design of the show will be Perth-based designer, Becky Minto.

“It’s a big show for two people to undertake but we are excited to be performing together again,” concluded Amanda.

For tickets and information for I Do! I Do! contact the Horsecross Arts box office on 01738 621031, visit www.horsecross.co.uk, or call in to the Perth Theatre box office.