It's always remarkable that Pitlochry, a small and picturesque town, can support a large and popular theatre that packs them in through the summer months.
http://www.mark-fisher.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Companies/scottish-theatresP.html
and
http://www.mark-fisher.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Reviews/pitlochry-theatre.html
So it seems more remarkable still that the same town is now supporting Winter Words, a weekend literary festival in the same location in the midst of January. I was there on Saturday to chair a session with well known lord, Brian Rix, and well known dame, Elaine C Smith, and the theatre was buzzing with life.
Rix and Smith were in fine anecdotal form both on and off stage. Rix in particualar has changed career so many times in his 82 years - actor, miner, farceur, theatre manager, Mencap president, writer, arts council drama panel chair, house of lords, etc etc - that it was like interviewing several people at once. Smith with her acting, directing, writing and campaigning isn't far behind.
Some chairing sessions are about trying to get the speakers to talk - this one was about trying to get them to stop. I only just wrapped up the event in time.
Best conversation over dinner was about actors they'd worked with who'd been pissed on stage.
New on the website today is a link to an article in Scotland on Sunday about a new gallery in Leith called the Corn Exchange.
http://www.mark-fisher.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html
Mark
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