Varied Programme At The Mill Theatre In September 2006

30th August 2006

The Mill theatre in Thurso has a packed programme in September for anyone who enjoys live events.

Macbeth 30 August -
Macbeth is presently underway and there are only a few tickets left for tonight 31 August. Demand has been high for seats and the show is sell out for Friday 1st and Saturday 2 September

Professional Programme
Sex and Lies and DIY
Following hot on the heels of Macbeth they have the return of Fiona Knowles in Rona Munro's Sex and Lies and DIY. The show is at 8.00pm on Friday 8th September and the ticket prices are £7.00 & £5.00. This is sure to be a hilarious show and one you cannot afford to miss. Ken has put a brief synopsis of the show on our website so pop along to www.thursoplayers.org.uk and see what's on offer for yourselves.

Music at the Mill
On Saturday 23rd September they have 'Music at the Mill' with the return of the ever popular duo, 'Sutherland & Son'. Johnny and Isaac have had a very busy year between performing at their own venue with such luminaries as 'Duck' Baker and Davey Graham and writing material for their latest CD. Much of this new material will be previewed, at the Mill performance, along with some old and not so old favourites. Again the ticket prices are £7.00 & £5.00 and can be booked by calling me on 01847-896956.

National Theatre Of Scotland
It doesn't all end there. After a great deal of cajoling in certain quarters by John Glen and Neil MacDonald the group have secured a visit, over two nights, from the National Theatre of Scotland with their ensemble tour. Because of the size of the show, the venue will be Thurso High School, and audience numbers will be limited to 70 for each performance. The first performance, on Wednesday 27th September, will be Vanishing Point's 'Mancub' by Douglas Maxwell. The show starts at 7.30pm and will be followed by a brief reception at the Mill to allow audience members to meet the cast and crew.

"Julie" by Zinnie Harris
On Thursday 28th September there will be a performance of 'Julie' by Zinnie Harris. Again the show will start at 7.30pm and ticket prices for both are £9.00 and £6.00 (Concessions). To book for either of these shows just give a call on 01847-896956.
JulieWritten by Zinnie Harris
A new version of August Strinberg's "Miss Julie" from a literal translation by Hanna Slattne.
Directed by Zinnie Harris.
Designed by Lizzie Clachan
Lighting designed by Kai Fischer
Music composed by John Harris In the oppressive heat of Midsummer's Eve, Julie, daughter of the Lord, is drawn into a dangerous tryst with her father's butler, John. As the night wears on, the couple, from opposite ends of the social spectrum, dance, flirt and fight towards an explosive conclusion that will shake the existing order to its core.

Miss Julie is Swedish playwright, novelist and painter, August Strindberg's masterpiece, written at the height of his powers as a dramatist in the late nineteenth century. Zinnie Harris's new version heightens the social and sexual tension, relocating the play to the central Scotland between the wars. A rare chance to see this touchstone of European theatre adapted and directed by an outstanding Scottish talent.

Zinnie Harris writes and directs for theatre and television. Her plays include Further than the Furthest Thing (Tron / National Theatre), and the acclaimed Midwinter and Solstice for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Zinnie also writes Spooks for BBC1.

National Theatre of Scotland in Thurso
Mancub
27 September
Thurso Players are playing host to NTS with performances of Mancub (Wed) in Thurso High School. Book seats (only 70 per night) via Neil Macdonald 01847 896956 See details at www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
MancubWritten by Douglas Maxwell
Adapted from the book The Flight of the Cassowary by John LeVert
directed by Matthew Lenton
a co-production with Vanishing Point
Designed by Kai Fischer
Lighting designed by Kai Fischer "I look up. The moon is looking at us. A great white eye. I can feel the pressure in its light. Actually I feel like barking. But I don't."

Paul is trying to grow up. Trying to get his dad off his back and his mum out of his face. Trying to work out what girls are all about. Trying to catch up on the work he hasn't done. Trying to stay out of trouble. But strange things keep happening. And they are getting stranger. Reality seems to be shifting. People are looking at him in a different way. Does Paul really turn into animals, or does he only think he does?

"Maxwell's pacy, salty, densely incisive text, deftly interweaving dialogue and internal monologue, is a delight from start to finish." Metro * * * *

*"Terrific tenderness and with a series of beautifully observed performances... blazing with star quality... a combination of flawless technical presentation and sheer emotional intensity that is genuinely memorable." The Scotsman

For audiences of 14 years old and above.
Notes : Douglas Maxwell is one of Scotland's most exciting and original playwrights. Other work includes Decky Does A Bronco (Grid Iron), Helmet (Paines Plough, Traverse), Our Bad Magnet (Tron Theatre) and If Destroyed True (Paines Plough). Matthew Lenton is artistic director of Vanishing Point Theatre Company and recently directed Home:Caithness, part of the launch of NTS.

Vanishing Point's original production of MANCUB toured extensively in Scotland and England, culminating in a three week run at the Soho Theatre in 2005.

For more about the Mill theatre and Thurso Players go to www.thursoplayers.ukf.net/