Always on
This project successfully funded on 31st October 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Starts with a Letter - World Premiere musical play
Greenock, Inverclyde, United Kingdom
Aim
Help fund our new musical play, Starts with a Letter, based on a true story, written by Ian McMillan with music and songs by Carol Laula.
The Project
We’re raising money to bring our theatre show to life—and we need your help.
Based on a true story, Starts with a Letter is a brand-new musical play written by acclaimed poet Ian McMillan, with original songs and music by award-winning singer-songwriter Carol Laula.
Olive is a WAAF from Wigan going AWOL for love. John is a sailor from the Royal Navy on a 48-hour pass. Together, they risk everything in a true wartime romance, forged through letters exchanged amidst the turmoil of World War II. It’s a touching, funny and deeply moving story where two young people connect through letters—and everything changes.
...because in a world of fire, love might be the greatest act of all...
Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, this powerful new stage play honours connection, hope, and resilience in a time of conflict.
Featuring original songs and live music by Carol Laula—hailed by The Herald as “Scotland’s leading singer-songwriter”—the story follows Olive and John on their journey from Plymouth to Peebles, where every moment together feels like stolen time.
Our new production will be staged in November 2025 at The Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock—a fantastic local venue that brings people together through the arts. And if we raise enough, we’ll take the show on the road to more theatres across Scotlan
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Creative Team
Playwright
Ian McMillan, poet, journalist, playwright, and broadcaster, is the son of John McMillan, a Scottish naval officer, and Olive Wood, a shop clerk. Their story is the inspiration behind Starts with a Letter. Known for his distinctive Yorkshire dialect and sharp wit, McMillan has published numerous poetry collections, often celebrated for their humour and insightful observations of everyday life. He has a strong presence on radio, having hosted several BBC programmes, including BBC Radio 3’s The Verb and BBC Radio 4’s Booked!. He was also a castaway on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, where his memorable music choices included John Cage’s 4′33″ and Andy Stewart’s Donald, Where’s Your Troosers?
Composer
Carol Laula is one of Scotland’s finest cultural exports. She rose to prominence in 1990 when her single Standing Proud was chosen to represent Glasgow as the European City of Culture. Since then, she has built a loyal international following, touring across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., including a performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Carol has collaborated with artists such as Stuart Adamson (Big Country), Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go’s), Ryan Hedgecock (Lone Justice), and Cheryl Beattie. Her career has included standout appearances at Glastonbury with Billy Bragg and tours throughout the UK, Ireland, and Iceland. With eight acclaimed albums—including Still, Precious Little Victories, Naked, and The Bones of It—she remains a vital voice in contemporary music. Starts With a Letter marks her debut theatrical score.
Director
Sean Kane is the founder of Theatre Enigma. A Scottish actor and director, born in Peebles, he trained in acting at Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh (now Queen Margaret University), graduating in 1996. Over the course of his career, he has worked with numerous theatre companies, including the Royal Lyceum, Perth Repertory Theatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, The Brunton, and The Byre. His stage work has taken him to prestigious venues such as the Sydney Opera House and the Scottish Parliament, and he was one of the first Scottish actors to perform at the Teatrul de Comedie in Bucharest, Romania.
Music / vocal arrangers
Emma Jane – multi-award-winning Americana singer/songwriter Emma Jane burst onto the Glasgow music scene in December 2005 and has captivated audiences at iconic venues, including the Bluebird Café in Nashville, the C2C Festival at the O2 London, and the legendary 100 Club. Emma Jane’s unique blend of country, soul, and blues, combined with her distinctive vocals, has earned her awards for her songwriting talents both locally and nationally. Emma has self-released nine titles, with her most recent release winning the 2024 BCMA (British Country Music Awards) UK Album of the Year.
Lindsay Johnstone – Scots and Gaelic-speaking writer and singer based in Glasgow. She is one quarter of the harmony-infused alt pop band Wallsunsun and – in a former life – sang with Finniston, Captain and the Kings and The White Band. She has performed at Celtic Connections, Connect, and the Belladrum festival, among others. Her vocals feature on Frightened Rabbit's 2008 single, ‘It's Christmas So We'll Stop’, and she is an occasional contributor on Radio Scotland's Mornings with... show, talking about education, parenting, and midlife.Theatre Enigma
(Registered SC309669)
Founded in Edinburgh in 2002, the critically acclaimed Scottish theatre company has produced the sell-out Scottish premieres of Our Boys by Jonathan Lewis and Four Nights in Knaresborough by Paul Webb, which opened at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. Theatre Enigma has also produced the UK premiere of Battle in the Hills / The Storm Watchers by George Mackay Brown, as well as a double bill—Nancy Sleekit by Donald Campbell and The Herd of Standlan by John Buchan—which toured the Scottish Borders and enjoyed a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Theatre Enigma is returning after an extended pause, during which founder and director Sean Kane focused on a career in the early years sector and family commitments. Now based in Greenock, the company is making its comeback with Starts with a Letter—a brand-new world premiere for 2025.
www.theatreenigma.co.uk
Reviews across our productions
"…confidence and class…impressive production…powerful and promising…”
Joyce McMillan THE SCOTSMAN ★★★★
"It’s a rare treat to witness this double bill of one-act miniatures by Sean Kane’s Theatre Enigma…Victoria Balnaves’s vocal settings of Mackay Brown’s words becomes even more lyrical, its incantatory chorale swelling to become a heartbreaking lament…theatrical nuggets…a pair of iridescent and beautiful unsung curios."
Neil Cooper THE HERALD ★★★★
"…An intense drama full of dark humour… Malcolm Hamilton was completely inspired as Brito – edgy and dangerous one moment, comical the next. The sight of him beating a defenceless loaf of bread to death with an axe was worth the ticket price alone… Four Nights in Knaresborough is likely to become a minor classic."
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS ★★★★
"Theatre Enigma return to the Netherbow with their simple but powerful staging of this much praised 1986 play by former squaddie Jonathan Lewis…Keith Hutcheon’s intense production draws a memorable ensemble performance…fine cast of Scottish based actors without a single weak link."
Joyce McMillan THE SCOTSMAN ★★★★
The Campaign
Every donation, large or small, helps us cover essential costs—from travel and rehearsal space to lighting, sound, set, and artists’ fees.
We believe in the power of live theatre to inspire, connect, and commemorate.
Here are four great reasons why we're asking for your support:
We're creating a brand-new musical play based on a true story with original songs and music. An unforgettable experience—made from scratch by a talented creative team.
We're commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and honouring those affected by war. Our show opens in November, just before Remembrance Day. We hope to reflect on the past and inspire future conversations that matter. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and remember—and your contribution can help make that moment possible.
We want local communities to enjoy quality theatre right in their hometowns. We believe local communities deserve access to high-quality theatre right on their doorstep. As a locally rooted company, we're passionate about bringing inspiring stories and live performances to the places we call home — not just major cities, but the towns and communities where people live, work, and connect.
We're giving actors, musicians and technical crew more chances to shine. We’re committed to giving actors, musicians, and technical crew meaningful opportunities to shine. Our aim is to create real, paid opportunities for local performers and creatives to develop their craft, gain experience, and share their talents with live audiences in a supportive, professional setting.
Please support Starts With a Letter and help us share this beautiful true story with audiences across Scotland.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made