OVER 150 people saw short theatrical performances in unusual venues across Inverness-shire on Saturday 5 September as part of The Wee Theatre Festival which was organised by Play Pieces Arts.
The one-day festival, which raised over £2,000 in Crowdfunding in three weeks, saw new work written by Highland writers, specifically for spaces which were already part of Open Doors Day.
With performances popping up at Strathspey Railway, Abernathy Old Kirk, Castle Roy, Inverness Musuem and Art Gallery, Hugh Millers Cottage and Wardlaw Mausoleum in Kirkhill the exciting initiative really enhanced visitors experiences of the historical sites.
Explained artistic director, Lindsay Brown: “We wanted people to be able to find out something more about the places they were visiting as part of The Wee Theatre Festival as well as raise awareness about the fantastic theatre-making in the Highlands.
“We asked all the venues in the area if they wanted to take part and our hands were bitten off! We had to turn down quite a few exciting options.”
Performers and writers from the Highlands included Carrie Anne Wilde, Terry Langdale, Innes Anderson, Anne Kane Howie, Jennifer MacRae, Craig Manson, Jack Reid, Vicky MacRae, Denys McNair, David Newman, Jack Jenkins and The Beauly Theatre Club.
The Festival, which secured additional funding from Highland Council due to its innovative approach, has been a huge success, including a sell-out performance on Saturday evening in Velocity Cafe, Inverness, with all six performances being repeated to a new audience.
Added Lindsay: “It was mainly a new audience as the event sold out a week in advance; however, one German couple had seen the very first performance of the day and followed us round the sites and came to Velocity to see them again.
“They loved it and wanted to tell all their friends to come over to Scotland next year to see The Wee Theatre Festival.”
The Saturday night audience were also treated to a smorgasbord of Highland food from local food producers Great Glen Charcuterie, Walkers oatcakes, Juicy-Ness and Rose Cottage Country Kitchen.
There are already plans afoot for next year, taking The Wee Theatre Festival to other areas of the Highlands to work with more Highland writers and performances as well as finding new ways to present theatre to audiences.
All the performances from the Festival have been recorded and will be made available online through www.playpieces.co.uk.
Play Pieces Arts is currently waiting for news on their application to Creative Scotland for their lunchtime theatre season which they hope will return in 2016 as well.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Wee Theatre Festival was funded through Crowdfunding, Highland Council’s Events Innovation Challenge Fund.
For further information please contact Lindsay Brown 07909 525230 or director@playpieces.co.uk
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Play Pieces Arts contact details…
Contact: Lindsay Brown
Email: director@playpieces.co.uk
Website: http://www.playpieces.co.uk
