Arts Live, the region’s new year-round touring network, continues its 2017 programme of world-class performing arts events into the Autumn with two brilliant dramas and a few lively cèilidh dances.
Liverpool-based playwright and singer Tayo Aluko, delivers a powerful punch in Just an Ordinary Lawyer, coming to Dumfries and Galloway in September. This remarkable one-man show traces the struggles of Tunji Sowande who in 1968 became the first black head of a major barrister’s chambers in King’s Bench Walk. A lawyer, baritone singer, jazz drummer and saxophonist, with a passion for cricket, Sowande later went on to become Britain’s first black Queen’s Council and judge. The play begins its mini tour of the region on 22 September at Thomas Tosh, Thornhill, and moves to the Birchvale Theatre, Dalbeattie, on 23 September before finishing with two performances at Whithorn’s Swallow Theatre on 24 and 25 September.
The brilliant Paines Plough theatre company returns to the region to perform their award-winning production, Growth, the third play from critically-acclaimed playwright Luke Norris.
Described by critics as “achingly funny” and “heart-stoppingly human”, Growth ( Main Image) is a warm and humorous look at a young man dealing with an overwhelming problem and is one of the only plays handling the taboo subject of male health, in particular testicular cancer.
The show opened at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2016 and had the audience in fits of laughter from start to finish. The critical response to the play was overwhelming with Growth picking up plenty of stars and a prestigious Fringe First Award.
Performances take place in Glencairn Memorial Institute, Moniaive, on 26 September and the Theatre Royal Dumfries on 27 September.
Journeyman, Moishe’s Bagel and Bellevue Rendezvous musicians, Gavin Marwick (fiddle), Ruth Morris (fiddle and nyckelharpa) and Pete Garnett (accordion) begin a brand new journey with their three-piece cèilidh band Whirligig. Formerly known as Caper, Whirligig sets off on a whirl-wind cèilidh trail of the region, beginning in Eskdalemuir Community Hub on Friday, 8 September and coming to St Couan’s Hall, Kirkcowan, on 29 September.
Over the next few months, the band embark on a tour of rural locations in the region with a series of lively and fun cèilidh dance evenings, taking in venues in Eskdalemuir, Kirkcowan, Whithorn, Corsock and Gatehouse of Fleet. The evenings come complete with top quality music and a caller.
Those who did not manage to see Castle Douglas-based Fox and Hound Theatre Company present their critically-acclaimed Tennessee Williams’ double bill in Moffat in July, have a chance to see them at A’ the Airts in Sanquhar on 31 August.
They will perform an hour-long double bill of Tennessee Williams’ powerful shorts Ivan’s Widow and Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen and a third play, 1in2 Chance, written by the company’s Helen Fox.
Established two years ago, Fox and Hound Theatre Company are earning a reputation for excellence in delivering high quality performances to festivals and venues around the UK. Their production of Tennessee Williams’ 27 Wagons Full of Cotton premiered before a sell-out audience to high critical acclaim and this stunning double-bill of Ivan’s Widow and Talk to Me were hailed as “beautifully crafted performances” at this year’s Brighton Fringe.
Tickets to all shows from the Midsteeple Box Office on 01387 253383. For online tickets and a full programme visit www.dgartslive.org.uk.
Arts Live is a new project funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union LEADER 2014-20 Programme, Creative Scotland and DG Unlimited Regional Arts Fund.
Tickets to all shows from the Midsteeple Box Office on 01387 253383. For online tickets and a full programme visit www.dgartslive.org.uk.
