The Swallow Theatre near Whithorn is starting a programme of afternoon performances to enable more people to enjoy professional drama and music shows at Scotland’s smallest theatre.
Situated in the owners’ garden in the countryside 15 miles south of Newton Stewart, and 9 miles from the national book town of Wigtown, this unique and intimate performance space is in a converted byre, and has comfortable raked seating and a warm, cosy and welcoming atmosphere. It is one of the few independently owned private theatres in the UK and welcomes everyone who enjoys watching quality performances. The performers who visit often comment on the friendly, attentive audiences, the magical 1200ironment, and the surprise of finding a professional theatre in a very unexpected location.
“We are tucked away in a beautiful rural landscape, but we recognise that some people don’t like driving the narrow lanes in the dark” said the theatre owners. “By popular request we have scheduled some afternoon shows this autumn. We also hope this will give people from further afield the opportunity to have a day out in the beautiful Machars Peninsula, with its great cafes, restaurants, pubs, beaches, history and bookshops, and take in a show as part of a day out”.
The first matinee performance is on Tuesday 10 September at 2pm, and is a one-woman comedy drama telling the tales of four women with only a postcode in common. ‘Are There More of You’ is written and performed by Alison Skilbeck and directed by Jeremy Stockwell, and has garnered a multitude of five star reviews. Painful, scary, hilarious, and heart-warming, the stories chart each wildly different character’s search for love and happiness. The show sold out for its run at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe. Skilbeck’s television credits include Sherlock Holmes, Soldier Soldier and Call The Midwife among others.
Other afternoon shows at the theatre are The Budapest Café Orchestra on Sunday 15 September and A Christmas Carol on Tuesday 10 December.
