EastEnders star turns literary legend in Lyth show

ONE of Scotland’s most ambitious touring companies will visit Lyth Arts Centre next week.

The Dogstar Theatre Company will bring The Baroness to the venue onThursday at 8pm.

The new play features the story of cult figure Karen Blixen, who came to the world’s attention with her memorable book Out of Africa.

She had already made a name for herself writing under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen, the ex-wife of a Swedish baron.

The play delves into a latter-day love affair with a much younger man and promises to add yet another layer of intrigue to this literary legend. In 1948, at the age of 62, Blixen met 29-year-old poet Thorkild Bjørnvig.

He was newly married and had recently made his successful publishing debut. The two shared a powerful, dangerous and intimate friendship, their pact, which lasted six years before falling apart.

The Baroness is Thor Bjorn Krebs’s provocative, free interpretation of the relationship between Blixen and Bjørnvig, a relationship which is both platonic and sexually charged, and which questions and challenges the role and nature of the artist. Full of tension and poetry, with three tremendous acting roles, the play is inspired by anecdotes, letters and books by and about both Blixen and Bjørnvig.

The central role is played by Roberta Taylor, one of Britain’s most talented and respected actresses.

A prominent member of the great Glasgow Citizens Theatre Company of the 1970s and ’80s, she became a household name as Irene Raymond in the BBC soap EastEnders and until recently starred as Gina Gold in ITV’s The Bill. She is also a successful author.

Her memoir, Too Many Mothers, was a best-seller and she is currently writing her third novel.

Director Matthew Zajac is joint artistic director of Dogstar and perhaps best known for his award-winning international hit The Tailor of Inverness, which has now toured to 10 countries.

Meanwhile, a one-day festival at Lyth on September 8 will bring together around 30 keen and talented musicians from London, Glasgow and Caithness.

The Jazz Exchange will feature shows at 3pm, 7.30pm and 11pm.

The afternoon show offers the opportunity to dance to Caithness Big Band in the theatre and enjoy Thurso’s Sunday Night Band performing in the garden gazebo (weather permitting). These bands play a mix of easily recognised classic swing numbers and some more up-to-date tunes with catchy rhythms.

The evening show presents a top-rate bill of the very best of jazz musicianship performed by seven highly-skilled musicians playing a mixture of great standards and new compositions. Pianist Barry Green is a favourite on the London jazz circuit and is currently on tour with bass stalwart Dave Green as they launch Turn Left At Monday, their new album.

Sharing the bill is Glasgow vocalist Cathie Rae and her band Cat’s Club. Cathie is a much-loved figure on the Scottish jazz scene and manages to combine the twin roles of jazz musician and arts administrator as, almost single-handed, she runs the Scottish Jazz Federation.

She is touring with Lyth favourites pianist Paul Harrison and bass player Mario Caribé along with popular UK guitarist Phil Robson and award-winning newcomer Corrie Dick on drums, the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year.

There is also a late show jam session which will no doubt include some of the above musicians playing informally for each other’s entertainment, having fun rather than giving rehearsed performances, possibly even trading places. They may be joined by local band The Lyth Trio if the "lads" can get it together in time.