The cast of the upcoming dance production of Lord of the Flies in Inverness were stunned yesterday when an actor from the original movie strolled in for a sneak preview.
Tom Gaman, 65, who played the character of Simon in the 1963 adaptation of William Golding’s classic book, happened to be touring the Highlands this week with his wife when he noticed an advert for the show in the street.
Even more incredibly, he revealed that he had come all the way from his home town of Inverness, California.
Yesterday he said he was “delighted” to get the chance to see their rehearsals before leaving early next week.
A group of schoolboys and young men picked from across the Highlands will star in the new dance adaptation, which runs from May 28 to 31 at Eden Court in Inverness.
The fledgling dancers, aged between 10 and 23, will be taking to the stage for the first time in the retelling of the classic novel, which is now 60 years old and remains a chilling tale of what happens when society breaks down.
The 17 young men involved have been training intensively during the past four weeks to learn their movements and get into character for this physically and mentally demanding production.
Mr Gaman, who was 11 years old when filming began for the movie in Peurto Rico in 1961, said: “This morning we came by after doing our laundry and we asked if the cast were here, and were invited to come back and watch the rehearsals this afternoon.
“I think it is a fantastic idea and I am really excited to get the opportunity to see it and hear it today. It is going to be marvellous and it sounds like there are a lot of new ideas for the plot, especially using the abandoned theatre as the desert island. The story is there but there is also a new twist on it.”
Mr Garman added that the best advice he could give his younger character counterpart, would be to “watch out for the spears if they come in your direction.”
Colin Marr, chief executive of Eden Court theatre and cinema, said: “It was just amazing when he walked in this morning. The show is one of the biggest things we have had here for years. We are absolutely delighted to have one of Matthew Bourne’s productions up here.”