Submissions Wanted Emerging and established playwrights based in Scotland are invited to submit original 10-minute plays. Three plays will be shortlisted and performed (semi-staged) on Thursday 15th February, using professional actors Winter Words is the perfect way to enjoy the last days of under the direction of PFT’s Associate Director, Gemma Fairlie. winter (and celebrate the first signs of Spring) amidst the spectacular landscape of Highland Perthshire, in the company of some of the finest writers and minds in the UK. The winning play be performed during PFT’s 2018 “As a venue As always, there’s an engaging range of genres and themes in Summer Season. this festival celebration of the written and spoken word: expect tales of adventure and travel, together with plenty of Scottish The winning playwright will receive dramaturgical support and development of this for a book history, culture and a sprinkling of memoirs along the way. piece for a subsequent performance. Festival, few are This year make sure you take your chance to get together more inviting with The Flying Scotsman, cyclist Graeme Obree, legendary The 3 shortlisted plays will be selected by a panel of industry experts: man of the hills Cameron McNeish, crimewriter supreme Val than Pitlochry McDermid, popular broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson, Peter Arnott: author of over 40 produced Previously Creative Producer at the the marvellous chef Mary Contini and broadcaster Paul Murton, plays including The Monarch Of The Glen, Soho Theatre, London, specialising in Theatre, with it’s amongst many, many others. The Silver Darlings and Janis Joplin: Full Tilt. developing new plays, education and buzzing café and outreach projects. And after last year’s sell-out, Banff Mountain Film Festival Julie Ellen: Artistic Director of Macrobert Arts returns with two different adrenaline-packed film programmes. Centre and previously Creative Director at the Gemma Fairlie: PFT Associate Director. exquisite views.” There are two new writing competitions to get involved in: Playwrights’ studio. Previous directing credits include: the The Herald PFT’s Short Play Award and Fear 500, as well as the return of Royal Court, Royal Shakespeare Company Rebecca Gould: Head of Arts for the British the ever-popular Fearie Tales writing competition. and New Vic Theatre. Council Wales and freelance Director, For aspiring actors (over 18s), there’s an Improvisation & producer and arts practitioner. Dialogue Workshop with PFT Associate Director Gemma Fairlie and for little ones, a We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Movement Closing Date: January 31st, 5pm Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a Company Workshop. Not to mention Storytelling Sessions, a Comic Book Limited by Guarantee Registered in Art Workshop, a Playwriting Workshop, Literary Lunches, plus a Scotland Number SC029243 at the below address. Scottish Charity Number host of FREE events to enjoy… Shortlisted Plays Announced: Friday 9th February SC013055 Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Port-na-craig, Pitlochry, PH16 5DR | Administration: 01796 484600 | Box Now in its fourteenth year, Winter Words remains the place Shortlisted Plays Performed: Thursday 15th February, 7.30pm Office: 01796 484626 | Email: boxoffice@ “where Scotlands Literary year gets into gear” (The Scotsman). PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com | Website: www.PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com We hope to welcome you to the Festival in 2018. The Winning Play Announced: Thursday 1st March

Full details and how to enter can be found at PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com Scotland’s Most Welcoming Theatre, 2015, 2016 & 2017

01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 01 12.45pm - 2.15pm | £24.50 Friday 2nd Friday 16th LITERARY LUNCH 7.00pm - 8.00pm | £12.50 10.15am - 11.30am | £1.00 Alan Taylor Kirk Watson We’re Going On A Bear Hunt A Personal View Of Muriel Spark Living And Filming In Antarctica Movement Workshops with Alex Sanders 1.15pm - 2.00pm | Free Ways to Book! Frankenstein Poetry Please Phone: 01796 484626 10.00am - 11.00am | £8.50 Saturday 3rd 3.00pm - 5.00pm | £1.00 Online: www.PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com Robbie Nicol £15.00 (concessions available) Canoeing Around The Cairngorms Fear 500: A creative writing In Person: at the Theatre Box Office £25.00 for both screenings workshop for young people Email: [email protected] Banff Mountain 11.30am - 12.30am | £8.50 3.00pm - 4.00pm | £8.50 Film Festival World Tour Brian Johnstone Blue Screening | 2.00pm - 5.00pm Double Exposure Val McDermid Insidious Intent Red Screening | 7.00pm - 10.00pm 12.45pm - 2.15pm | £24.50 Book Fair! LITERARY LUNCH 4.30pm - 5.30pm | £8.50 From 10.00am - 6.00pm Jo Woolf Sally Magnusson Thursday to Sunday The Great Horizon: The Sealwoman’s Gift Wednesday 14th 50 Tales Of Exploration 6.00pm | FREE 10.00am - 4.30pm | £35.00 2.30pm - 4.30pm | £2.00 Fear 500: Winning Entries The Festival bookstall is organised Act 1, Scene 1 Concessions: The Art of Comic Books by Yeadon’s Booksellers, who will be Introduction to Playwriting 7.30pm - 9.15pm | £10.00 • Friends/Supporters selling signed books by guest authors A workshop with Lesley Wilson 2.30pm - 3.30pm | £8.50 Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers Cardholders | Groups (8+) : throughout the Festival. Yeadon’s have two shops in Elgin Stuart Kelly 10% off tickets and Banchory, both of which are beautifully decorated and The Minister And The Murderer Sunday 18th stocked with carefully chosen, eclectic selections of books. • Disabled Badge Holders: Thursday 15th 4.00pm - 5.00pm | £8.50 Well worth a visit (or three!), their staff are all professional 20% off tickets 10.00am - 11.00am | £8.50 Ian Sykes 10.00am - 11.00am | £8.50 booksellers, dedicated, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, who Kenneth Steven In The Shadow Of Ben Nevis Jim Crumley • Students | U18s | Winter Tales The Nature Of Winter will also be around throughout the day to help and advise. 6.30pm - 8.00pm | £10.00 Registered Unemployed : Order (or reserve) a book today! Improvisation and 50% off tickets 11.30am - 12.30pm | £8.50 10.15am - 12 noon | £1.00 Mona McLeod Dialogue Workshop Storytelling for Children and You can now order or reserve any book by a Winter Words Only Friends/Supporter Cardholders with Gemma Fairlie A Land Girl’s Tale Families with Lindsey Gibb author in advance of their event. Simply go to www.yeadons. concessions apply to Literary Lunches. 6.30pm - 7.30pm | £10.00 co.uk and complete an order/reservation form. You can also All ticket prices and concessions are 12.45pm - 2.15pm | £24.50 11.30am - 12.30pm | £8.50 subject to availability. LITERARY LUNCH Graeme Obree Angus Roxburgh make a dedication! The Obree Way Struan Stevenson Moscow Calling Books will be charged at full retail price plus postage and The Course Of History: Ten Meals That Changed The World 8.00pm - 9.15pm | £14.50 Please note: Event and ticketing 12.45am - 2.15pm | £24.50 packing (10% of retail price UK) and you won’t be charged until Cameron McNeish LITERARY LUNCH dispatch. You can also save on postage by picking up your information is correct at time of 3.00pm - 4.00pm | £8.50 There’s Always The Hills going to print. The programme Mary Contini book at our Bookstall which is open throughout the Festival. Alistair Moffat Dear Alfonso of events may alter, so please do The Hidden Ways 8.30pm - 9.30pm | Free check online or at the Box Office. Fearie Tales 3.00pm - 4.00pm | £8.50 We reserve the right to make 4.30pm - 5.30pm | £8.50 Who Built Scotland? changes to the programme, Adapting Novels Saturday 17th James Robertson ticket prices and seating plans. For The Theatre 10.00am - 11.00am | £8.50 and Jamie Crawford Pitlochry Station Bookshop with Peter Arnott The unique Pitlochry Station Bookshop will be running Transaction Fees: No booking Sandy Allan 4.30pm - 5.30pm | £8.50 fees apply for phone or face-to- In Some Lost Place a second-hand and new bookstall in the theatre foyer 7.30pm - 8.30pm | FREE Janet Morgan face sales. A handling fee of £1.75 throughout the Festival. The Station Bookshop sells a wide PFT Short Play Award 10.15am - 12 noon | £1.00 Agatha Christie applies to all online purchases. Performances range of donated books to raise money for many different Storytelling for Children and 7.30pm - 9.00pm | £14.50 charities. Bestsellers, children’s classics and interesting 7.30pm - 9.00pm | £12.50 Families with Lindsey Gibb Michael Marra: antiquary gems are waiting to be enjoyed - and not just by Paul Murton 11.30am - 12.30am | £8.50 Arrest This Moment The Hebrides with Alice Marra, Christopher train travellers! Zoe Strachan and Rosemary Marra and James Robertson Goring | chaired by Louise Welsh The Work Of Muriel Spark 02 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 03 Friday 2nd Saturday 3rd

Larry Shiu, Cascade Mountain, Banff National Park © John Price

7.00pm - 8.00pm 2.00pm - 5.00pm (Blue Screening) | 7.00pm - 10.00pm (Red Screening) Kirk Watson Living And Filming In Antarctica Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour £15.00, concessions available | £25.00, for both film programmes £12.50 £30.00, for both programmes and Kirk Watson’s talk. Kirk Watson is a versatile and accomplished film- maker based in Aviemore, whose TV credits include The spectacular Banff Mountain Film Festival Amongst the films due to be screened will programmes for channels such as the BBC, Sky returns for a fourth successive year with a be the captivating, The Frozen Road which News, ITV, Discovery Channel, BBC Alba, Channel 4 brand new selection of extraordinary short features adventurer Ben Page who embarked and National Geographic. He is also a CCA approved films from the world’s leading adventure film- on a solo bike-packing journey into the Drone Pilot with many years’ experience of aerial makers. Canadian artic, Into Twin Galaxies which filming. follows the incredible and extreme 1,000km The Festival incorporates two different journey made by a trio of top adventures screenings, with each one showing a different A qualified mountain instructor, Kirk lived and across the remote wilderness of Greenland programme of short films featuring incredible worked in Antarctica for 6 years as a Field Assistant, using white-water kayaks and kite skis as well adventurers, amazing adrenaline-packed guiding scientists safely across ice, glaciers and as Dreamwalkers, a film about the attempts action sports, stunning scenery and thought- mountains. During this time he honed his skills as of four Dutch friends to highline amongst the provoking pieces shot in the far-flung reaches a film-maker, recording exciting and challenging Adventure Ticket Offer: towering sea cliffs of the Faroe Islands. experiences at the coldest end of the globe. of the globe. Why not make it a weekend of Full programme details will be unveiled in early adventure? Book for Kirk’s talk and For double the adventure, come along to both This fascinating, illustrated talk will reveal the January. Visit our website for updates or go to both screenings of Banff Mountain Film the Blue Film Programme (2pm) and Red Film secrets of Kirk’s filming success as well as throwing Banff-uk.com. light on what it’s really like to live, survive and Festival on Sat 3rd February for only Programme (7pm) screenings! socialise in such an incredibly cold continent. £30.00 - save £12.50! Age Guidance: 12 (Under 12’s can attend if accompanied by an adult.)

04 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 05 Wednesday 14th Thursday 15th 11.30am - 12.30pm

10.00am - 4.30pm 10.00am - 11.00am Mona McLeod A LAND GIRL’S TALE Act 1, Scene 1 Kenneth Concentrating on Winning the War A Land Introduction to Playwriting Steven Girl’s Tale A workshop with Lesley Wilson Winter Tales £8.50 £35.00 £8.50 Mona McLeod worked in Do you have an idea for a play? A few lines, or a whole M o n a M c L e o d manuscript, tucked away that needs to be dusted off and given Kirkcudbright a second chance? Or just a healthy curiosity about what it takes during the Second World War, to get ideas from your head, to the page, to the stage? providing the skilled labour needed on farms before This one-day interactive workshop will give you the mechanisation. opportunity to begin to play with and develop those ideas in a safe space. Participants will explore setting, character and She will be talking about dramatic action through dialogue, and focus specifically on her illustrated memoir, A those first crucial minutes of a play when the curtains open and Land Girl’s Tale which, as she the audience waits eagerly to be drawn in. celebrates her 94th birthday, provides a valuable record This workshop is suitable for both beginners and those with of a time when women some experience of writing, in any genre. faced the rigorous physical Struan Stevenson challenges involved in Lesley Wilson is an award- winning the war at home. winning playwright who With his soft, lyrical voice, 12.45pm - 2.15pm has had several short plays Kenneth Steven takes us on Born in England, Mona never read and performed at a journey across the globe, went back after her five LITERARY LUNCH The Traverse and The Tron visiting Finland, Italy and years in the Land Army in Theatre. In 2017 she was Russia, before bringing us Scotland. A history graduate, Struan Stevenson Ten Meals That Changed the awarded a place on the back to the main stage of she taught in Edinburgh The Course of History: World Luminate and Magnetic Pitlochry. Kenneth will be schools before becoming a includes a two course lunch and a glass of wine North Emerging Older Artists examining the human spirit freelance lecturer on aspects £24.50 | of Scottish culture. Lab and her play, WIRED, – the dark and the light – We’re not promising that today’s literary lunch will change the through his latest short story Lesley Wilson received 5-star reviews at the world, but Struan Stevenson’s book shows how many decisions Edinburgh Fringe. Lesley was collection, Winter Tales. which have had enormous historical consequences, have been mentored by Playwrights’ Kenneth grew up and lived made over the dinner table, and have been accompanied (and Studio Scotland and has been shortlisted for The Kenneth near Pitlochry for many years perhaps influenced) by copious amounts of food and wine. Branagh Windsor Fringe New Writing Award, Scotland’s Short and his work is infused with Using ten examples from the eve of the Battle of Culloden Play Award and longlisted for Theatre 503’s Playwriting the land and the people. The to Hitler’s Berghof in the Bavarian Alps, he explores the Award. She is the writer in residence at Rivendell Care Home perfect event for anybody personalities, the issues and, of course, the food which helped and produced In Her Own Words, Rivendell Stories, a verbatim who is a fan of Kenneth’s shape the course of history. theatre piece at Birnam Arts in Oct 2017. novels and poetry, or for those who love the short Struan is a local politician and the author of four other books. story form. Turn to page 22 now to discover full mouth-watering menu details! Mona McLeod

06 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 07 Thursday 15th 4.30pm - 5.30pm Adapting Novels For The Theatre with Peter Arnott £8.50 Having just adapted The Monarch Of The Glen for PFT to huge, critical acclaim, Peter will reveal just how he ‘filleted’ this classic novel for the stage.

3.00pm - 4.00pm Peter is a well-known expert in adapting complicated novels for the stage and in this session, he will discuss some of his methods, the pitfalls and the joys of working with a well- Alistair known text, and balancing comedy with politics.

Moffat This event will be a question and answer session with The Hidden Ways playwright Peter Arnott, hosted by PFT Associate Director £8.50 Gemma Fairlie.

In The Hidden Ways, Alistair Peter is the author of over 40 produced plays, both original Moffat traverses the lost works and adaptations, beginning with White Rose for the 7.30pm - 8.30pm 7.30pm - 9.00pm paths of Scotland. Down Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in 1985 and continuing through Roman roads tramped by Muir and Losing Alec for The Tron, stage versions of Neil Gunn’s PFT Short Paul Murton armies, warpaths and pilgrim The Silver Darlings and Robin Jenkins’ The Cone Gatherers, a The Hebrides routes, drove roads and rail Play Award Fringe First Award for Why Do You Stand There In The Rain? in £12.50 roads, turnpikes and sea 2012 and in 2013 the wildly popular musical Janis Joplin: Full Tilt. roads, he traces the arteries Performances Paul Murton has spent half-a lifetime exploring some of the Peter has written for film and TV as well as A Free Event through which our nation’s in the Café Bar most beautiful islands in the world - the Hebrides. In this event, song lyrics and published his first lifeblood has flowed in a Paul will take us on a journey around this beautiful part of the novel Moon Country in 2015. Join us for semi-staged bid to understand how our world, visiting each of the islands in turn, introducing their performances of the three history has left its mark upon Gemma has directed throughout myths and legends, history, culture and extraordinary natural shortlisted plays in the our landscape. the UK including the Royal beauty. He’ll tell us about the people he has met and the stories inaugural PFT Short Play Shakespeare Company, the Royal they have told him - crofters, fishermen, tweed weavers, Gaelic Alistair’s travels along the Award, directed by PFT’s Court, the New Vic Theatre and singers, clan chiefs, artists, postmen and bus drivers. Join us for hidden ways reveal not only Associate Director Gemma the National Theatre. a truly vivid account of the Hebrides and Paul’s unique guide to the searing beauty and magic Fairlie. the less well known aspects of life among the islands. of the Scottish landscape, If you enjoyed The Monarch Of The winning play will be but open up a different sort The Glen, or have an interest in Paul grew up in Argyll, where he developed a passion for announced 1 March and of history, a new way of writing for stage, we think you’ll exploring, hitchhiking to Glen Coe and Skye to climb the peaks performed during the understanding our past by find this event fascinating. there. At the age of fourteen, he even managed to hitch a Summer Season 2018. walking in the footsteps of ride on the end of a climbing rope for an ascent of the Cuillin’s our ancestors. Further details and how famous Cioch. He was initially inspired to take to the hills by a Why not enjoy a pre- to enter can be found on book his father gave him: W.H. Murray’s classic Mountaineering In retracing the forgotten show dinner, served from PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com In Scotland. paths, he charts a powerful, 6.00pm in the Festival surprising and moving Restaurant? Call Box Office One of the best known TV presenters in Scotland, Paul’s history of Scotland through to reserve your seats on popular primetimes series include Scotland’s Clans, Grand Tours the unremembered lives of 01796 484626 or book online: Of Scotland, Grand Tours Of The Scottish Islands and Grand those who moved through it. PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com Tours Of Scotland’s Lochs.

08 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 09 Friday 16th 11.30am - 12.30am 2.30pm - 3.30pm Brian Stuart Kelly We’re Going Johnstone The Minister And The Creating Memories - Murderer On A Bear £8.50 Double Exposure Hunt £8.50 In 1969, James Nelson Movement Workshops confessed to murder, served with Alex Sanders Brian Johnstone grew up in a prison sentence, then a nuclear family - or so he £1.00 - whatever your age! applied to be ordained as thought until two revelations a minster in the Scottish Session 1: rocked his world. He’ll discuss Church (The Kirk). The case 10.15am - 10.45am, for the background to his new Jo Woolf split the church in two as the children aged 18 months - 3 memoir, Double Exposure, bible has a lot to say about years 10.00am - 11.00am and the circumstances 12.45pm - 2.15pm 2.30pm - 4.30pm murder, but not about this around his writing of the LITERARY LUNCH particular variety of murder! Session 2: Robbie Nicol book. Brian will also read The Art of 11am - 11.30am, for poems to illustrate his story. Literary critic and author children aged 3-5 years. Canoeing Around This is a touching tale of Jo Woolf Stuart Kelly has used the The Cairngorms The Great Horizon: 50 Comic Books Little adventurers can enjoy family secrets and long- £2.00 | for 11 - 18 year olds case of Nelson to write a £8.50 Tales Of Exploration particularly compelling half an hour of creative lost relatives from one of A practical workshop £24.50 | includes a two course history of the church movement and play based on Come and hear about Robbie Scotland’s favourite writers for young illustrators, lunch and a glass of wine in Scotland. It’s a book the wonderfully descriptive Nicol’s 700 kilometre, and poets. cartoonists and artists who adventure We’re Going On of soul-searching and thirty-day solo journey by Brian Johnstone was born in Jo Woolf has always had a want to learn more about A Bear Hunt, by Michael speculation, deep thinking, canoe and sea kayak around Edinburgh in 1950 and has lively fascination for history drawing characters and Rosen. It’s a half hour of riveting writing and a mind- the Cairngorm mountains. lived in Fife since 1972. A well- and the natural world. In 2014 understanding the creative story-themed activities with expanding investigation of Incredible scenery provides kent figure on the Scottish she began digging into the process and development of music and action songs, led truth and faith. the backdrop for what poetry scene with many archives of the Royal Scottish a cartoon from brainstorming by freelance dance artist Alex becomes a mental, as well as publications to his name, Geographical Society, in a to final draft. Stuart is one of the best Saunders from LIVEforDance. physical, adventure through Brian is also a well-seasoned mission to bring to light some known literary voices in storm-tossed seas and fierce half-forgotten figures in the In this workshop, participants Please note - scary bears are literary event organiser, a Scotland, reviewing and whitewater rapids. He digs field of exploration. will work towards creating not included! frequent collaborator with writing about books for the deep into his own experiences specific characters and visual artists and a live Join Jo for an illustrated talk Scotland On Sunday and and finds a growing feeling sketches that will be used to performer of his poems, both detailing stories of adventure The Guardian newspapers of respect, curiosity, wonder illustrate the winning stories as a solo reader and with and exploration from the past amongst many other and awe for the planet that of both Fearie Tales and various musical collaborators. two hundred years - from publications. sustains us. Fear 500 competitions, in a those who set out to conquer specially published e-book. Dr Robbie Nicol is a new territories to those who senior lecturer in outdoor claimed world records. environmental education Her talk will include unique at Moray House School of images and insights from the Education, the University of RSGS archives, along with Edinburgh, and holds a wide never-before seen material. range of national governing body awards in canoeing/ Turn to page 22 now to kayaking, mountaineering discover full mouth-watering and skiing. Brian Johnstone menu details! Stuart Kelly

10 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 11 6.30pm - 7.30pm In his book, Graeme reveals Friday 16th his own story, which includes Graeme battling with poverty and 4.00pm - 5.00pm depression, however this Obree event will be of special Ian Sykes The Obree Way interest to cyclists, as In The £10.00 Graeme will get to the heart of the ‘problem’ of how to Shadow Of Graeme Obree also known as improve as a racing cyclist Ben Nevis Gemma Fairlie ‘The Flying Scotsman’, broke and how to revolutionise your £8.50 convention and records during used to generate dialogue, cycling training. Invaluable In The Shadow his incredible career. He not create character, build insights and advice applicable Of Ben Nevis only built his own bike on worlds and inspire stories. to all cyclists, from the tells Ian ‘Spike’ Sykes’s story which he won many races and The emphasis will be on weekend warrior to the from growing up in Leeds in awards, he also challenged teamwork, imagination and serious competitor. the aftermath of the Second the thinking of the time. His playfulness. You do not need World War, through his time career was entirely self- This event swerves any prior experience, and this with the RAF during the funded and he competed both conventional wisdom and is not just about being funny. Cameron McNeish cold war and beyond as he as a professional and as an promises to strip cycling The techniques are used to became an active member amateur. - and life - back to its find imaginative ways into of the Lochaber Mountain essential elements. Thought- A prolific author, Cameron structuring story, creating Join us for a fascinating Rescue Team, as well as provoking and utterly has led treks in the Himalayas ‘jumping off’ points for insight and discussion as going on to open the first unmissable. and Syria, edited The Great narrative, and exploring how Graeme celebrates 25 years Nevisport shop, a retail entity Outdoors magazine, helping ‘stakes’ can affect scenes. since he broke the Hour that revolutionised outdoor to establish it as Britain’s Record on Old Faithful with 8.00pm - 9.15pm 8.30pm - 9.30pm outlets in the UK. In his If you are a budding writer, premier walking publication. the publication of a new, extraordinary life-to-date, Ian actor, director or you just He’s also created new long- updated edition of The Obree Cameron Fearie Tales has also played a key role in fancy learning the basics distance walks and made Way. Free Event the development of the Nevis of improvisation then this McNeish many television series, in the River Room Range ski area. is the workshop for you. There’s Always contributed a monthly Come in from the winter Based on the techniques of The Hills column in The Scots This book reveals his many, gloom and nestle down to improvisation legend Keith magazine, campaigned for lively tales of adventures £14.50 enjoy tales of supernatural Johnstone, this workshop is Scottish independence and and mishaps, laced with Ian’s spooks, shape shifting led by PFT Associate Director From his home in the raised a family with his wife, distinctive immediacy and demons, eerie sounds and Gemma Fairlie. Cairngorms of Scotland, Gina! charm. Cameron McNeish reflects unexplained apparitions in In this book, he candidly Gemma has directed the on a life dedicated to the lonely lochs, gloomy glens recalls the ups and downs of 6.30pm - 8.00pm highly successful Improverts outdoors. Following his and even, perhaps, theatre a life lived to the full. Don’t in Edinburgh, and has used career as an international spaces! miss this opportunity to improvisation techniques long jump athlete, he has for Improvisation be in the company of this Talented writers from far throughout her career, almost forty years, written legendary writer, broadcaster and wide have taken up and Dialogue working at the and talked about walking and walker for what promises the challenge to pen a Royal Shakespeare and climbing in Scotland, Workshop to be a memorable evening’s Fearie Tale: Original, spine- Company, the Royal meeting some of the sport’s with Gemma Fairlie entertainment. tingling and ever so slightly Court, the New Vic great characters such as Chris £10.00 unnerving… Theatre and the Brasher, Sir Chris Bonington, There will be a Q&A session A practical workshop that National Theatre. Tom Weir, Julie Tullis and as part of this event and Read by well-kent PFT actors, explores how the games and many more, along the of course, a book signing in the cosy atmosphere of rules of improvisation can be Graeme Obree way. afterwards. PFT’s River Room.

12 13 the legend, in a funny, 12.45pm - 2.15pm 3.00pm - 5.00pm Saturday 17th LITERARY LUNCH intimate and revealing event. 10.00am - 11.00am Turn to page 22 to discover Alan Taylor full mouth-watering menu Sandy Allan A Personal View Of details! A creative writing In Some Lost Place Muriel Spark workshop for young £8.50 £24.50 | includes a two course 1.15pm - 2.00pm people lunch and a glass of wine In the summer of 2012, a Sandy Allan £1.00 - whatever your age! team of six climbers set out Frankenstein Alan Taylor, writer-at-large For 9 - 12 year olds. to attempt the first ascent of of Storytellers since 2012, of fiction, criticism and of the Sunday Herald, was Poetry one of the great unclimbed she loves finding and telling literary biography, and was a close friend of Muriel If you’ve ever watched a lines of the Himalaya - the stories from her home area. at the top of her profession, Spark. Over many years, he Please scary film or heard a ghost Free Event in the Café Bar giant Mazeno Ridge on Nanga She recently co-authored a internationally, for more than charted their friendship in story and thought – I’d love Parbat. Eleven days later two book on Perthshire Folktales half a century. notebooks and through the In celebration of the to write something like that, of the team, Sandy Allan and which will be published in many, many letters that they 200th anniversary of Mary then this is the workshop for As part of a year of Rick Allen, both in their late early 2018. Her background exchanged. Now he’ll share Shelley’s Frankenstein, you! celebrations, Scottish fifties, reached the summit. is in the environmental the real story of the woman enjoy an esoteric selection publishing house Birlinn Using Mary Shelley’s Far from celebrating, they sector having worked as a who is recognised as one of of verse, recited with verve are reprinting her works Frankenstein novel as a had run out of food and water Countryside Ranger and in the most important writers and vigour by two actors in with forewords by some starting point, this workshop and were hallucinating wildly Environmental Education that Scotland ever produced, the cosy atmosphere of the of Scotland’s best known will help you write your own from the effects of altitude and Wildlife and Species discussing the person behind Theatre Foyer. writers. Zoe Strachan and monster story. and exhaustion… Protection. Her love of Rosemary Goring have Learn how to start a story, In Some Lost Place is Sandy history, nature and the both contributed to the how to write character and Allan’s epic account of an environment is reflected in project and will discuss their situation, and how to create incredible feat of endurance her storytelling. contributions with Scottish suspense. and commitment at the very Storytelling sessions will last author Louise Welsh, and limits of survival and the for 45 minutes and begin at reveal why they think Spark’s Then enter it (last minute!) first ascent of one of the last 10.15am and 11.15am. All ages work continues to inspire. into Fear 500 Writing challenges in the Himalaya. are welcome! Competition. See page 21 for Author Zoe Strachan is a full details of how to enter. 10.15am - 12 noon Creative Writing Tutor at the 11.30am - 12.30am University of Glasgow. She is 6.00pm Storytelling also on the Board of Directors Zoe Strachan of Glasgow Women’s Library, for Children & Rosemary a Patron of the Imprint Festival in East Ayrshire, and Presenting the and Families Goring a supporter of Scottish PEN. with Lindsey Gibb chaired by Louise Welsh winning entries £1.00 - whatever your age! The Work Of For many years Rosemary Free Event in the Foyer Goring was the Literary A chance to hear stories of The winning entries in the Muriel Spark Editor of The Herald and local myths and monsters scary short story competition £8.50 Sunday Herald. She’s also from Enchanted Forest for 9 to 16 year olds will be 2018 marks the centenary of the author of Scotland: storyteller Lindsey Gibb. read out by familiar faces the birth of the iconic writer The Autobiography, After from the PFT stage in this Lindsey is a Storyteller living Muriel Spark. Best-known Flodden and Dacre’s War. free event. Sit back and relax in Highland Perthshire, with as the author of The Prime with a drink or light snack, if over 10 years’ experience. Of Miss Jean Brodie, Dame Alan Taylor you dare… A member of the Directory Muriel was a poet, writer 14 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 15 Saturday 17th 4.30pm - 5.30pm 3.00pm - 4.00pm Sally Magnusson Val McDermid The Sealwoman’s Gift Insidious Intent £8.50 £8.50 In 1627 Barbary pirates raided the coast of Iceland and abducted Scotland’s Queen of crime some 400 of its people, including 250 from a tiny island off the fiction grew up in a mining mainland. Among the captives sold into slavery in Algiers were community in Fife before the island pastor, his wife and their three children. Although going on to read English the raid itself is well documented, little is known about what at Oxford and a career in happened to the women and children afterwards. journalism. She has just In this brilliant reimagining, popular author and broadcaster Mark Billingham Chris Brookmyre Stuart Neville celebrated thirty years as Sally Magnusson gives a voice to Ásta, the pastor’s wife. a published novelist and Steeped in the sagas and folk tales of her northern homeland, alongside her many best- the novel is about the eternal power of storytelling to help us sellers she is also known for survive. her feisty appearances on Question Time. Sally is a Scottish broadcaster and writer. She presents Reporting Scotland for BBC Scotland, as well as Radio 4’s She will be in conversation Tracing Your Roots and Songs Of Praise. As a writer, Sally has with her fellow crime-writer, been widely published, including The Life Of Pee, Dreaming Of Doug Johnstone about her Iceland and Horace The Haggis Hunter! latest novel, Insidious Intent, the tenth novel to feature Tony Hill and Carol Jordan in which a burning car on a deserted country road kicks Val McDermid Luca Veste Doug Johnstone off their latest investigation, as Hill and Jordan are drawn into a dark and twisted web of 7.30pm - 9.15pm fear and revenge that forces them to question their own Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers £10.00 ideas of justice. It started at The House of Blues in New You’re in for a real treat as songs by The Val also has taken to the Orleans, where Mark Billingham, Stuart Beatles, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, The stage recently (Edinburgh Neville and Doug Johnstone (fuelled with Clash and Scotland’s own The Proclaimers are International Book Festival, liquid inspiration) had a great idea… given the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers’ treatment. Bloody Scotland) as part of the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. Fast forward a year and they have teamed up This merry band of best-selling crime This merry band of crime with crime-writing pals Val McDermid, Luca writers from the four corners of the UK have writers (including Christopher Veste and Chris Brookmyre to form a band combined to create a first class evening’s Brookmyre, Mark Billingham - Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers - a full-on rock ‘n’ entertainment which will bring our Winter and Doug Johnstone amongst roll experience, featuring a set list of carefully Words Saturday to a satisfying conclusion! others) murder their favourite chosen cover versions that have a distinctly Buy tickets for this event and Val McDermid’s tunes. For full details see the criminal flavour. event (earlier in the day) and pay only £13.50 - opposite page. Sally Magnusson saving £5.00!

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Correspondent The Inspired by a long forgotten

Nature Gather On the magic of dormancy, chill £8.50 and winter’s regenerative secrets round for document from the 1920s, In winter nature stages some of its most enchantingly beautiful displays; yet it’s also a period for reflection, melancholy even, as the solstice marks the chill, dark of “A magical piglrimage.” days of dormancy. Miriam Darlington, Mary Contini relates in her Winter BBC Wildlife a truly In the course Taking in December to February, Jim Crumley tells the story of how unfolding winter affects the wildlife of his beloved land – from the windswept Western Isles and 10.15am - 12 noon the unforgiving Cairngorm plateau to the gentler, grace- The inimitable style, the story ful landscapes of Loch Lomond and Stirling. Along the lovely event of the past 45 way, Jim experiences the frigid snows of the uplands, the quiet solitude of nature’s rest period, and his own of love of nature; thus painting an intimate – and deeply Nature personal –portrait of a moody and majestic British of her Father-in-law’s life winter. Winter with the years, Angus £12.99 Storytelling wonderful Roxburgh from wartime Pozzuoli, near www.saraband.net Jim Crumley nature for Children & Families has met four Naples to Edinburgh, where writer Jim Crumley, who with Lindsey Gibb successive he arrived in 1952. Here his life was to change forever will take you on a journey £1.00 - whatever your age! Russian into the snow, to experience presidents, come under fire in when he met Olivia Crolla A chance to hear stories of James Robertson Jamie Crawford first-hand the chaos and the war zones and been arrested and married into her family local myths and monsters quiet solitude of nature’s by Chechen thugs! During the business, the delicatessen from Enchanted Forest rest period. He bears witness Cold War he was wooed by Valvona & Crolla. Heart- storyteller Lindsey Gibb. 3.00pm - 4.00pm to the lives of remarkable the KGB, who then decided he warming, moving and filled animals such as golden Lindsey is a Scottish would make a lousy spy and with laughter and love, Who Built Scotland? eagles, red deer and even Storyteller living in Highland expelled him from the country. Dear Alfonso is a wonderful James Robertson and Jamie Crawford whales, as they battle Perthshire, she has over In Moscow Calling he presents celebration of food, family £8.50 intemperate weather and the 10 years’ experience and his Russia - not the Russia of and friendship. has been a member of the news reports, but a quirky, Experience a new history of Scotland told through its places. turbulence of climate change. Mary is the bestselling author Directory of Storytellers crazy, exasperating, beautiful, Following in ancient of numerous books about James Robertson and James Crawford (along with Kathleen since 2012. She loves finding tumultuous world that in footsteps, Jim will share the Italian life and cooking, as Jamie, Alexander McCall Smith and Alistair Moffat), picked and telling stories from her four decades has changed discoveries that lead him well as the acclaimed Easy twenty-five buildings to tell the story of the nation.Who Built home area and in Scots. She completely, and yet more to reflect on the journey Peasy children’s cookery Scotland is a landmark exploration of Scotland’s social, political has recently co-authored a than ever, is of global political of his own nature-writing books with Pru Irvine. and cultural history. book on Perthshire Folktales significance. life - a journey that takes which will be published by Turn to page 22 to discover From Neolithic families, exiled hermits and ambitious royal in mountain legends, dear Over the course of his History Press in early 2018. full mouth-watering menu dynasties to highland shieling girls, peasant poets and departed friends and an remarkable career Angus has Her background is in the details! iconoclastic artists, in this enthralling event you’ll discover the enduring fascination and worked at the BBC Monitoring environmental sector having remarkable story how we have shaped our buildings and how deep love for nature. Simply, Service, the BBC Russian worked as a Countryside our buildings, in turn, have shaped us. he evokes winter in all its Service, The Guardian, Sunday Ranger and in Environmental drama, in all its pathos, in all Times and The Sunday James Robertson is the author of the acclaimed novels: The Education and Wildlife and its glory. Correspondent newspapers. He Fanatic, Joseph Knight, The Testament Of Gideon Mack, And Species Protection. Her love has presented and consulted The Land Lay Still and To Be Continued. Always a popular event, we of history, nature and the on a number of TV and Radio welcome Jim back to Winter environment is reflected in James Crawford is a former literary agent who has written a programmes and now works Words once again. her storytelling. number of books such as Fallen Glory: The Lives And Deaths as a freelance writer and Of Twenty Lost Buildings From The Tower Of Babel To The Storytelling sessions will last broadcaster. Twin Towers, Above Scotland: The National Collection Of Aerial for 45 minutes and begin at Join us for a fascinating mid- Mary Contini Photography’ and Scotland’s Landscapes. He has just finished 10.15am and 11.15am. All ages morning event. filming for a new TV series calledScotland From The Sky. are welcome!

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4.30pm - 5.30pm Janet Morgan Agatha Christie £8.50 Dr Janet Morgan was the first biographer of Agatha Christie to have had unrestricted access to her papers, photographs and relics and to whom her family, friends and advisers were encouraged to speak openly.

Janet will be discussing the process both of writing and then revisiting the life of Agatha Christie, including Writing A Short Story the background to her work Competition 2018 Competition as a writer, archaeological 7.30pm - 9.00pm exploration and travels in Calling All Budding Writers! for 9 - 16year olds Syria, Iraq and Iran, and Michael Marra: This unique competition receives more and Accept our writing challenge to scare our the challenges - personal more submissions every year, both from judges with your tales of terror using no more and financial - which she Arrest This Moment would-be authors and more established than 500 words. We’d like original stories, overcame. with Alice Marra, Christopher Marra writers. The format is simple. You write a based on the idea of myths and monsters. Janet is a writer and speaker and James Robertson Fearie Tale and send it to us. We then choose Interpret this as wildly and frighteningly as who has published widely £14.50 three or four entries to be read aloud in the possible! on politics and broadcasting. cosy atmosphere of the River Room on Friday Michael Marra was one of the best-loved singer-songwriters in 3 winners will be selected and their stories read Make sure you don’t miss this 16th evening during Winter Words. Scotland, as well as an artist and playwright. out by actors in our River Room on Saturday fascinating event. Every Fearie Tale must be an entirely new 17th February, at 6.00pm. Singing songs from Michael’s extensive backlist will be his story, written especially for Winter Words and The winning stories will also be published in daughter Alice Marra - a stunning singer, accompanied by not previously published in any form. her uncle Christopher Marra and James Robertson, Michael’s e-book format together with the winners of recent biographer, will be telling stories from their close Each entry should be a minimum of 2,250 our Fearie Stories competition. words up to a maximum length of 3,250 friendship and explaining how he came to write the recent Deadline for submission: Wednesday 14th words. acclaimed biography. February, unless you are attending the Fear Join his family and friends for this very special celebration of Entries must be received at Pitlochry Festival 500: A creative writing workshop for young his life, his words and his talent. Theatre by 12 noon on 31st January, 2018. people on Saturday 17th February, in which case you’ll have up to 5.00pm on this day to Full competition details are available on our get your entry in! website. For full details of how to enter please visit: Why not begin your evening earlier by joining us for a delicious PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com dinner, served at 6.00pm?

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Thursday 15th Feb Friday 16th Feb Saturday 17th Feb Sunday 18th Feb Struan Jo Woolf Alan Taylor Mary Contini Stevenson The Great Horizon: A Personal View Of Dear Alfonso The Course Of 50 Tales Of Muriel Spark History: Ten Meals Exploration Spectacular views combined with fresh local produce and That Changed The excellent service from our attentive staff ensures dining World Main here will always be a special experience.

Slowly Braised Neck Roasted Chicken Herb Crusted Loin of Seafood Linguine Evening Dinners of Scottish Venison Supreme North Sea Cod with tomato sauce Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd: 5.30pm. The Festival Restaurant and Café Bar is open with carrot fondants, with roasted with minted pea purée, and Parmesan Thurday 15th: 6.00pm all day, seven days a week and provides tasty, fresh and wholesome food and daily a cranberry potato potatoes, sautéed new potatoes, grilled shavings Friday 16th: 5.00pm and 6.30pm mash and rich red green beans and a vine tomatoes, Martini specials, all at reasonable prices. Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th: 6.00pm wine sauce chasseur sauce and lime cream

SAMPLE EVENING MENU Desserts STARTERS MAINS DESSERTS Stilton and Celery Soup Roasted Supreme Mango and Vanilla of Guinea Fowl Cheesecake Chocolate and Sticky Toffee Pudding Fresh Vanilla Pod Classic Tiramisu Chicken and Pistachio Terrine Orange Mousse with Stewart Tower Cheesecake with chocolate Pan Fried Pork T-Bone Steak Poached Pear Panko Breaded Scottish with nutty crumbs vanilla ice-cream and with spiced berry flakes with Pork and Ale Sausage Haddock Goujons Classic Cranachan butterscotch sauce compÔte Grilled Loin of North Sea Cod Flatcap Mushroom, Goat’s Trio of Cheeses and Cheese and Spinach Stack Fragrant Sweet Potato Kenmore Oatcakes and Red Lentil Curry Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea and Fudge and Fudge and Fudge and Fudge Two courses: £23.95 | Three courses: £26.95 A selection of apéritifs, digestifs and fine coffees/teas are available on purchase.

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PROGRAMMEEVENT at PITLOCHRY FESTIVAL THEATRE CIRCUS OF HORRORS SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: SKIPINNISH Fri 23 Feb Through The Years Fri 2 Mar Sat 24 Feb

MAGICAL MOZART OPERA HIGHLIGHTS NEW JERSEY BEAT by Candlelight Scottish Opera The Musical Story of Frankie BACK TO BACHARACH A TIGER’S TALE PASADENA ROOF Sat 3 Mar Thu 8 Mar Valli & The Four Seasons Sat 10 Mar Sat 17 Mar ORCHESTRA Fri 9 Mar Sat 17 Mar

RUMPELSTILTSKIN SKERRYVORE THE SPIRIT OF BAD ONE MAN SHOE THE POLICE STING SHOW CARMINA BURANA balletLORENT Fri 30 Mar COMPANY & FREE Sun 1 Apr Fri 6 April Pitlochry & District Choral Society Sat 24 Mar Sat 31 Mar Sat 7 Apr

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BookCHICAGO by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse Music by John Kander • Lyrics by Fred Ebb

byQUALITY J.M. Barrie STREET

byTRAVESTIES Tom Stoppard THE RISE AND FALL

byOF Jim Cartwright LITTLE VOICE

byBEFORE Rodney Ackland from the shortTHE story PARTY by W. Somerset Maugham

byTHE Rona Munro LAST WITCH