TRIBUTES have been paid to Scottish theatre actor and writer David MacLennan, who has died aged 65.
He helped to establish the influential 7:84 and Wildcat theatre companies, and more recently the popular A Play, A Pie and A Pint shows which started in Glasgow and have been reproduced internationally.
In interviews earlier this year Mr MacLennan revealed that he had been diagnosed with terminal motor neurone disease, which affects the nervous system.
His reputation meant he was able to attract actors such as Robbie Coltrane and Elaine C Smith to perform in the Play, A Pie and A Pint series at the small Oran Mor theatre in Glasgow's west end.
In an interview with from February, the 65-year-old said: "I've been remarkably lucky, I think one of the things about getting this wretched illness is it focuses the mind on how lucky I've been with my work, my family and my friends.
"Until I got this I wasn't quite as aware as I should have been.
"Then when you get what my neurologist called 'a catastrophic diagnoses' - he wasn't mincing his words - you've got to ask 'Will this define me?' At some point I guess it will, but for the moment I'm going to carry on."
Personalities from Scottish theatre have been paying tribute to him today.
Actor Tam Dean Burn wrote on Twitter: "Farewell David MacLennan a true gentleman, socialist and giant of the Scottish theatre scene. PlayPiePint is extraordinary monument to him."
Former Taggart actor Colin McCredie said he will always be grateful to Mr MacLennan.
"After getting boot fae Taggart, first person to offer me a job was David MacLennan and it was a joy to wear stockings & high heels for him!!" he wrote on Twitter.
Douglas Henshall added his condolences, saying that the writer "gave us much to be thankful for" with his productions.
Mr MacLennan's death was announced on the day that BBC Two Scotland is to broadcast a documentary titled "A Play, A Pie And A Pint: Scotland's Theatre Revolution" looking at the success of the event.
source:dailyrecord.co.uk
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