A production revealing how Scotland’s first women’s rugby team was created and how Scotland became the unlikely saviours of the 1994 women’s World Cup – and more? – will premier at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre on Friday, 12 April.
Tickets are now on sale for “90 days” written by Scottish screenwriter Kim Millar and directed by Liz Carruthers. The curtain up coincides with the Scotland – England women’s match at the Hive Stadium, Murrayfield.
The tale is told through the eyes of the players as a lid is lifted on the huge challenges and prejudice the women’s game faced in the early years with the rescued tournament played at venues including Meggetland and Raeburn Place proving seminal to global development.
It also reveals for the first time events that led to the last minute cancellation of the Women’s Rugby World Cup which left Holland and New Zealand’s Black Ferns effectively banned from taking part.
Thirty years on 90 Days celebrates the positive changes in women’s rugby over the last 30 years.
Sandra Colomartino, Creative Director of 90 Days and ex-Scotland captain, says: “Having had the honour of being Scotland’s first women’s rugby captain, I felt it was time to give something back to the sport I love. The idea to make 90 Days a theatrical production came with wanting this story to appeal to all, not just the rugby community. We’re using music as well as comedy to bring this story to life. 90 Days is a story of self-belief, empowerment and sheer bloody mindedness.”
Sue Brodie, Chair of So Strong Productions added: “I can’t quite believe it’s 30 years since the 1994 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Scotland and I am proud to be a part of this amazing team which has brought 90 Days to the stage on its anniversary.
“This is a story of those who played, and those who were sanctioned not to attend – this is their story too. It is one of passion and determination, but most importantly the story shows that the collective effort was bigger than any one player, administrator or team and that the impact 30 years on, for international women’s rugby, was greater than anyone could have imagined.’
Kim Millar, screenwriter of 90 Days said: ‘’When I heard what had happened in 1994, I was immediately gripped by the unfairness of it. The amazing women who, through sheer resilience and determination, organised the Women’s World Cup in Scotland in such a tight time scale, are now rightly recognised and lauded by Scottish Rugby. What they did saved not just tournament, it saved the sport for a generation of women. To save the World Cup in 90 days is nothing short of miraculous. It’s a privilege to be able to dramatise the difficulties they encountered and their successful struggle to overcome them.’
Colin Rigby, President of Scottish Rugby said ‘‘In 1994 we helped the SWRU (Scottish Women’s Rugby Union) who were associate members of the SRU to save what was effectively the Women’s World Cup, after the scheduled hosts, Holland, could not proceed.
“It provided the foundations for growing the game both in Scotland and globally ever since. The matches held at clubs; Boroughmuir, Edinburgh Academicals, Gala, Kirkcaldy, Melrose, Stirling County and West of Scotland inspired Scottish women and girls to take up rugby. I am convinced that if the 1994 Women’s World Cup had not happened, then the legacy and momentum for women’s rugby would not have enjoyed the massive kick-start those determined pioneers bequeathed.
“Time now shows us how important 1994 was and I am very much looking forward to attending the show and hope that the Scottish
Rugby family fully supports this amazing achievement of telling the story from the players’ and organisers’ perspective. “
In the final England beat USA. Other participating teams were Scotland, Russia, Japan, Sweden, France, Ireland, Scottish Students, Wales, Canada and Kazakhstan.
Scottish law firm Levy & McRae are the first sponsor to support this project.
For more: https://www.90daysplay.co.uk/
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