By Joy Watters, arts reporter

THE NATIONAL Theatre of Scotland, still in its infancy, has been dealt a considerable blow with the withdrawal of leading Scots actress Siobhan Redmond from its first major production.

Rehearsals begin next week for the revival of Chris Hannan’s Elizabeth Gordon Quinn in a 21st anniversary production. The NTS launched itself with 10 productions across the country three weeks ago.

Miss Redmond was to take the eponymous lead, widely considered to be one of the best women’s roles in Scottish theatre, a tragicomic heroine who can appeal and repel. Set in the Glasgow rent strike of 1915, Elizabeth Gordon Quinn is surrounded by filth and her dysfunctional family but she is only concerned with keeping her piano and her status.

However changes made by writer Chris Hannan to his contemporary classic, first performed at The Traverse in 1985, have not met with Miss Redmond’s approval and she has decided to take her leave.

Another actress is taking over the role for the play which opens at Dundee Rep on April 25 and is at Perth Theatre from May 9 to 13.

The NTS and Siobhan Redmond issued a joint statement saying that Miss Redmond would not now be appearing,

“NTS committed to a script process with the playwright, Chris Hannan, which has resulted in a wonderful, but different, play from the one that Siobhan Redmond agreed to appear in.

“After a very difficult decision, Siobhan decided not to appear in the play.”

Actress Cara Kelly will take over the role next week and the NTS say they are “delighted” with the replacement.

She has recently appeared in three acclaimed roles at The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, in Blood Wedding, Romeo and Juliet, and Molly Sweeney. She does not have the same public profile as Miss Redmond but is well-respected in the profession.

An NTS source said, “We very much look forward to Siobhan Redmond appearing the National Theatre of Scotland in the future and, in the meantime, look forward to a successful production.”