Swallow Theatre, Whithorn, Wigtownshire

Programme to October 2008

February 16 at 2.30 pm
February 17 at 2.30 pm
The Children’s Theatre presents
The Circus Comes to the Swallow –
What! Never! (Well maybe!)

March 30 at 7.30 pm
Icon Theatre Company in
‘Gradgrind’
A new adaptation of Hard Times by Charles Dickens
With buckets of energy, original new music, mime, movement and puppetry, Icon Theatre brings Dickens’ classic novel to life.

April 5 at 7.30 pm
Bryan Bowers
Bryan Bowers, autoharp master, singer/songwriter and storyteller, is a major artist on the traditional music circuit in the USA. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism.

April 18 at 7.30 pm
‘Oh Whistle’
Two of the eeriest and most entertaining supernatural tales by M R James, told by Robert M Lloyd Parry.

April 19 at 6 pm
Shona Reppe Puppets present
‘Olga Volt the Electric Fairy’
In the setting of a traditional circus sideshow Olga Volt prepares to dazzle yet another audience, but something is wrong. Olga is tired and her magic powers are fading. What will become of her? Does anyone have a torch?
Suitable for everyone over 6.

May 3 - time to be arranged
‘Beneath the Skin’
Four new plays by local writers: Security Alert by David Sumner, On Your Bike by Carolyn Yates, Something Bothering You by Vivien Jones, and Smokes by Mike Smith.

May 9 at 7.30 pm
Freehold Theatre Co in
‘Copenhagen’
by Michael Frayn
Michael Frayn’s play about the historic meeting between physicists Heisenberg and Bohr has become a classic of modern drama, a meditation on friendship and moral responsibility.

There will be a pre-performance talk about the play, at a time to be arranged.

A West Fest event.

May 18 at 7.30 pm
Len Graham and Mick Quinn
Songs and Stories from two experienced and much respected performers, grand traditional Ulster singing and tall tales.

May 30 at 7.30 pm
The MsFits present
‘Sex and Chocolate’
Fiona Knowles returns with one of her most popular shows.

June 14 at 7.30 pm
Charlie Soane, Brian and Siobhan Miller, Jeanna Leslie
Scots songs and ballads, with fiddle and guitar.

June 27 at 7.30 pm
(and possibly another performance on June 28)
Old Forge Productions present
the award-winning play by Willy Russell
‘Shirley Valentine’
with Michelle Hulme

July 8 at 5 pm in Glasserton Church
A concert of music by J S Bach
to include three sonatas for violin and harpsichord, preludes and fugues from the ‘Well-Tempered Klavier’, and the Partita No 2 for solo violin.
Lucy Russell (violin) and John Butt (harpsichord)
Tickets £8 Accompanied children free

July 18 at 7.30 pm
Adam McNaughtan
A real ‘one-off’ – probably the premier observer of Glasgow life. Songs from the city and beyond, traditional and his own, but more than that – a fine singer and plenty of wry humour.
All tickets £7

July 20 from 2 pm
in Woodfall Gardens
(next to Glasserton Church)
As part of the Charity Open Day in Woodfall Gardens, the Children’s Theatre will be performing three new plays by Pam Paterson –
‘A Day in the Life of a Garden’

July 27 from noon
in the Whithorn Dig Field
As part of the Whithorn Medieval Fair, there will be a performance of
‘The Play of St Ninian’
by Brian Hayward.

August 1 at 7.30 pm
Gordon Ferries
One of the leading exponents of the Baroque guitar plays 17th century Spanish music. The programme will also include readings from Spanish literature of the period.
All tickets £7

August 16 10 am – 4 pm
‘Shakespeare from Scratch’
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
For our annual ‘Shakespeare Day’ this year we read and act one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. All welcome – just bring a copy of the play and a packed lunch.

August 27 at 7.30 pm
Guizer presents
‘A Posy for Queen Marie’
Mary Queen of Scots – affectionately remembered in stirring song, vivid verse, pithy prose and dainty dance. Madelaine Taylor takes up guitar, laud and drum and raises her voice to share personal favourites from six centuries of music and poetry, written and inspired by Scotland’s most romanticized monarch.
All tickets £7

September 21 at 7.30 pm
Johnny Handle and Christine Hendry
Johnny is a veteran of the ‘Folk Revival’ and a fine performer of the songs, music and stories of Northumbria and his native Tyneside in particular. He has travelled the world with his band, the High Level Ranters. With him will be his wife Christine Hendry of St Andrews, an excellent Scots ballad singer in the auld style.
All tickets £7

September 26 to October 5
The Book Town Festival in Wigtown
Our Theatre programme is still being finalised, but we hope to include shows by
Last Word Productions and the Théâtre de Bécherel.
All details will be available in the Festival brochure to be published in August.

October 25 at 7.30 pm
‘Scribblers and Singers’
A harvest of poetry, prose and song celebrating landscape and changing seasons with the Wigtown Scribblers and the Lindsay Singers.


	Programme to October 2008 February 16 at 2.30 pm February 17 at 2.30 pm The Children’s Theatre presents The Circus Comes to the Swallow – What! Never! (Well maybe!) March 30 at 7.30 pm Icon Theatre Company in ‘Gradgrind’ A new adaptation of Hard Times by Charles Dickens With buckets of energy, original new music, mime, movement and puppetry, Icon Theatre brings Dickens’ classic novel to life. April 5 at 7.30 pm Bryan Bowers Bryan Bowers, autoharp master, singer/songwriter and storyteller, is a major artist on the traditional music circuit in the USA. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism. April 18 at 7.30 pm ‘Oh Whistle’ Two of the eeriest and most entertaining supernatural tales by M R James, told by Robert M Lloyd Parry. April 19 at 6 pm Shona Reppe Puppets present ‘Olga Volt the Electric Fairy’ In the setting of a traditional circus sideshow Olga Volt prepares to dazzle yet another audience, but something is wrong. Olga is tired and her magic powers are fading. What will become of her? Does anyone have a torch? Suitable for everyone over 6. May 3 - time to be arranged ‘Beneath the Skin’ Four new plays by local writers: Security Alert by David Sumner, On Your Bike by Carolyn Yates, Something Bothering You by Vivien Jones, and Smokes by Mike Smith. May 9 at 7.30 pm Freehold Theatre Co in ‘Copenhagen’ by Michael Frayn Michael Frayn’s play about the historic meeting between physicists Heisenberg and Bohr has become a classic of modern drama, a meditation on friendship and moral responsibility. There will be a pre-performance talk about the play, at a time to be arranged. A *West Fest* event. May 18 at 7.30 pm Len Graham and Mick Quinn Songs and Stories from two experienced and much respected performers, grand traditional Ulster singing and tall tales. May 30 at 7.30 pm The MsFits present ‘Sex and Chocolate’ Fiona Knowles returns with one of her most popular shows. June 14 at 7.30 pm Charlie Soane, Brian and Siobhan Miller, Jeanna Leslie Scots songs and ballads, with fiddle and guitar. June 27 at 7.30 pm (and possibly another performance on June 28) Old Forge Productions present the award-winning play by Willy Russell ‘Shirley Valentine’ with Michelle Hulme July 8 at 5 pm in Glasserton Church A concert of music by J S Bach to include three sonatas for violin and harpsichord, preludes and fugues from the ‘Well-Tempered Klavier’, and the Partita No 2 for solo violin. Lucy Russell (violin) and John Butt (harpsichord) Tickets £8 Accompanied children free July 18 at 7.30 pm Adam McNaughtan A real ‘one-off’ – probably the premier observer of Glasgow life. Songs from the city and beyond, traditional and his own, but more than that – a fine singer and plenty of wry humour. All tickets £7 July 20 from 2 pm in Woodfall Gardens (next to Glasserton Church) As part of the Charity Open Day in Woodfall Gardens, the Children’s Theatre will be performing three new plays by Pam Paterson – ‘A Day in the Life of a Garden’ July 27 from noon in the Whithorn Dig Field As part of the Whithorn Medieval Fair, there will be a performance of ‘The Play of St Ninian’ by Brian Hayward. August 1 at 7.30 pm Gordon Ferries One of the leading exponents of the Baroque guitar plays 17th century Spanish music. The programme will also include readings from Spanish literature of the period. All tickets £7 August 16 10 am – 4 pm ‘Shakespeare from Scratch’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream For our annual ‘Shakespeare Day’ this year we read and act one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. All welcome – just bring a copy of the play and a packed lunch. August 27 at 7.30 pm Guizer presents ‘A Posy for Queen Marie’ Mary Queen of Scots – affectionately remembered in stirring song, vivid verse, pithy prose and dainty dance. Madelaine Taylor takes up guitar, laud and drum and raises her voice to share personal favourites from six centuries of music and poetry, written and inspired by Scotland’s most romanticized monarch. All tickets £7 September 21 at 7.30 pm Johnny Handle and Christine Hendry Johnny is a veteran of the ‘Folk Revival’ and a fine performer of the songs, music and stories of Northumbria and his native Tyneside in particular. He has travelled the world with his band, the High Level Ranters. With him will be his wife Christine Hendry of St Andrews, an excellent Scots ballad singer in the auld style. All tickets £7 September 26 to October 5 The Book Town Festival in Wigtown Our Theatre programme is still being finalised, but we hope to include shows by Last Word Productions and the Théâtre de Bécherel. All details will be available in the Festival brochure to be published in August. October 25 at 7.30 pm ‘Scribblers and Singers’ A harvest of poetry, prose and song celebrating landscape and changing seasons with the Wigtown Scribblers and the Lindsay Singers.