Cowal’s Walking Theatre Company to feature in two of the four nationally promoted events in 2009 Highland Year of Homecoming

The Walking Theatre Company specialises in creating interactive plays inspired by community stories and historical events. This places the company squarely in the midst of the objectives of 2009 Highland Year of Homecoming.

The seven strong company is fresh from working with the Lismore Youth Theatre Company, writing and performing ‘Coming Home Again’, a play seen through the eyes of locals during the Armistice celebrations. Sadie Dixon-Spain, the co-founder of the group says: ‘The youth group become paid apprentices, and are very much part of the team.

There are four main 2009 Homecoming events that are being promoted nationally. The Walking Theatre Company is at the heart of two of these.

One sees the company working with the MacDougal Trust in Oban on a theatre event: ‘The Hidden Jewel’ about Robert the Bruce’s links with the MacDougal family and the mystery of the family legacy of the ‘Broach of Lorn’, considered one of our national treasures. A theatre walk will incorporate the old castle and Dunollie House. The event, as well as being exciting and informative, is designed to help raise the profile of the site and help the Trust’s aim to open is as a heritage site and visitor attraction.

The second big 2009 Homecoming event involving The Walking Theatre Company is the Spirit of the West Festival at Inveraray Castle in May. Audiences will be regaled with the story of whisky and the tax laws, a 150 year battle – even sometimes a bloody one – between Scotland and England after the Act of Union. It’s something of a tale of doughty highland smuggling. The performance should be an unusual digestif in what promises to be a large, innovative and pace-setting food and drink festival celebrating the west of Scotland – and Argyll.

This company works all over Scotland. On one occasion it recruited the First Minister to play Banquo. It has just come back from a nomination for a major award in Nairn where, although it didn’t win this year, it has left its calling card for next year. One to watch and a good one for Argyll.

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