Theatre company creates ‘Clanagrams’

THE Walking Theatre Company (TWTC), a social enterprise based in Argyll, is spreading cheer around the globe with innovative video messages from Scotland’s past. Sadie Dixon-Spain, TWTC’s creative director, has invented the “Clanagram“, a personalised video greeting. TWTC’s team of professional actors brings to life a selection of Scotland’s great names – recipients can become…

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Theatres to commission new musicals

SINGERS Barbara Dickson and Ricky Ross have joined a selection panel to find the next great Scottish musicals. Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Edinburgh’s Capital Theatres – which runs the Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre, and The Studio – have created a musical commissioning hub, which will bring new shows to stages around Scotland. The submissions…

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Scottish Ballet unveils first feature film

SCOTTISH BALLET has revealed its winter programme, including the company’s first feature film. The Secret Theatre will have its online premiere on 21 December at 6pm. “Seen through the eyes of a young boy as he stumbles into an empty theatre, this Christmas special will feature characters, choreography and music from Scottish Ballet’s popular festive…

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Winners of writing awards unveiled

A POET based in Newcastle was last night named as the winner of the £1,500 Wigtown Prize. Anna Woodford, whose work was entitled Portrait of My Grandparents as Souvenirs, said: “My poem is concerned with my family history, specifically my grandfather’s experiences of having to flee wartime Poland to make a new life in Nottingham,…

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Book festival hails global audience

THOUSANDS of viewers from throughout the world have tuned in to watch live sessions from the Edinburgh International Book Festival online. People have watched the performances from as far away as Algeria, Brazil and Nigeria. Highlights from the first few days of the virtual festival have included Ian Rankin, Julia Donaldson, Hilary Mantel, and Bumi…

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Scottish dancer returns with solo triple bill

AFTER five years behind the scenes, award-winning Scottish choreographer Rosie Kay will return to the stage this autumn with a triple bill of solo works. Edinburgh-born Kay expects to perform her Absolute Solo II show – which will consist of Artemis Clown, Patisserie and a new work, as yet untitled – in her current home…

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Leith Theatre stays shut to secure longer-term future

LEITH Theatre has announced it will stay shut until the spring in order to secure its finances – but will use the time to plan for the longer term. Managers have spent weeks planning scenarios and calculating financial risks and have concluded that they need to remain closed so the theatre can remain viable. Most…

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Leith Theatre gets £11,000 grant and support package

WORK to reopen Leith Theatre is taking a further step forward after the category B-listed building was awarded a grant from Theatres Trust. The theatre, which lay empty between 1988 and 2016, has been awarded £11,000 to support Leith Theatre Trust with business planning, leadership training and a package of consultancy work to strengthen its…

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Hill House beats leading tourist spots to award

The shop at National Trust for Scotland’s Hill House in Helensburgh today (Friday) has been announced as the best in the country by the Association for Cultural Enterprises, beating London’s Science Museum and The Globe Theatre. Created as part of the pioneering conservation project undertaken by the Trust to protect Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic masterpiece…

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Fund launched to support arts performers

The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival has been cancelled this year – and now they’ve launched an appeal to support talented performers. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, organisers have taken the difficult decision not to proceed with the 2020 event, which was due to be held from 20-31 May this year. Advice from the government, theatre…

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