WHEN PITLOCHRY Festival Theatre’s Lorna McDevitt took the old theatrical good luck message “break a leg” a bit too literally earlier this year it left staff searching for a replacement.

Although she bravely hobbled on for a while it quickly became clear she was fighting a losing battle.

In fact it has now been revealed Lorna had broken her ankle rather than her leg following the fall just outside her dressing room, but the upshot was the same —a talented actress was desperately required for the busy summer season.

Lorna was due to perform in three festival theatre plays this year, so staff needed a replacement.

Artistic director John Durnin said, “We had to find somebody fast and I am delighted to say we have come up with a spectacular replacement in the form of Deirdre Davis, who will be familiar to many as Eileen Donachie in BBC Scotland’s River City,” he said.

Despite the happy ending, John confirmed the situation had caused something of a headache.

“Lorna’s major role in the season was Agatha Posket, the female lead in The Magistrate, a high-energy period comedy,” he said.

“Due to the size and complexity of the role we did not feel it would be appropriate to ask one of the other members of the acting company to go on with the book in addition to their already heavy workloads, so we have had to look outside the company.

“I am delighted that Deirdre was willing to take on this challenge at such short notice and I am sure that the theatre’s audiences will be thrilled to know that an actress of her status is joining the company.”