Over the past few months Moray Council’s Arts Development team has been working with the newly launched National Theatre of Scotland.

The culmination of this first stage of the partnership with NTS will be a co-production between NTS and TAG Theatre of Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’. NTS have been given special permission by the Royal Shakespeare Company to perform the play as RSC now own the rights. A unique feature of this production will be the involvement of local people. Since Christmas a community cast has been working with a local director, Chris Lee, and a number of those involved will appear on stage when the play is performed at the Universal Hall, Findorn from Thursday 27th – Saturday 29th April. Performances begin at 7.00 pm (with an additional show at 1.30 pm on Friday 28th) and tickets are available on 01309 690110 or online at www.thebooth.co.uk  

Under the banner of NTS, and with the support of the Arts Development Team, a local NTS Team has been working in schools and the wider community on a number of ‘companion pieces’ to complement the production. Chris Lee (Drama), Dave Martin (Music), Graeme Roger (Video) and Geoff Roberts (Sculpture) have been working in Forres, Elgin, Lossiemouth, Fochabers and Portessie to create multi-media responses to themes in the play. These companion pieces, which have drawn on local history and folklore, will be given presented in the locations listed below. In addition elements of all this work will be brought together to transform the foyer of the Universal Hall during the run of ‘The Crucible’.

Thursday 13th - 7 pm Forres High School
Tuesday 18th - 8.31 pm, dusk, outside Milnes Primary School, Fochabers
Wednesday 19th - 8.33 pm, dusk, outside Burghead Fort, Burghead
Saturday 22nd - 8.40 pm, dusk, outside Andersons Primary School, Forres

This promises to be a very exciting series of events, they are free and no booking is required, but be prepared for the unexpected!

Further information from Nick Fearne, Arts Development Officer, Moray Council, 01343 557148 nick.fearne@moray.gov.uk