Preview: Alan Longmuir rolls back the years

The cast of Craft Theatre Company got a taste of Rollermania yesterday when legendary Bay City Roller Alan Longmuir took in the opening performance of And They Played Shang-A-Lang, at The Stand 3 on York Place.

Directed by Evening News entertainment editor Liam Rudden, the musical, which features hits of the 70s including the Rollers’ classic Shang-A-Lang, tells the story of a lad growing up in the Capital at a time when flares were in and Jimmy Savile ruled Top of the Pops.

Alan, 64, says: “I’m delighted to be supporting a local company telling the story of the 70s. It never ceases to surprise me that our music is still listened to and holds memories for so many people.

“We were just normal guys and didn’t realise how global we were.” Laughing, he adds: “Walking in Manhattan just this March I was astounded to be stopped for an autograph.”

Known as the “Tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh”, the Bay City Rollers were the UK’s original boyband and were championed as the “biggest thing since The Beatles”.

The show’s writer and producer, Derek Douglas, 49, who drew on his childhood 
memories for piece, says: “The Bay City Rollers were a huge part of our lives in the 70s, so to have Alan here is a huge coup for the company.

“It’s easy to forget just how influential the Bay City Rollers were on the world music scene.”

• And They Played Shang-A-Lang runs until August 26, daily at 12.50pm, £10, www.edfringe.com