Wick community drama teams set for Caithness one-act festival
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Community drama fans are being urged to book their tickets for the 2024 Caithness district one-act festival – which this year is an all-Wick affair.
With no representation from Thurso, there will be just two entries from the county in the long-running Scottish Community Drama Association competition.
Senior and junior teams from Wick Players will take to the stage at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday, February 24, with curtain up at 7pm.
The senior team, competing in the open section, will present After the Flags and Bands, written by Allan Williams and directed by Jayden Alexander.
This one-act drama follows the experiences of four women during World War I and is described as a story of sadness, loss, love and friendship. Cast members are Clare Sturrock-Center, Gina Alexander, Kirstin Gunn and Carys Miller.
The juniors, taking part in the youth section, will perform A Dog’s Life, written by Pam Valentine and directed by Frances Yellop. It is described as a compassionate drama brought to life through the talents of a new generation of Players.
Four dogs lie in cages in an animal shelter and the play depicts how a woman has to choose between them – a life-or-death decision. Cast members are Lucy Thain, Anya Hetherington, Frankie Thurling, Jasmine Dunnett, Olivia Sutherland and Lily Sutherland.
Jenny Szyfelbain, chairperson of Wick Players, said: "Considering the support we got at Christmas for the pantomime it would would be lovely if the same kind of folk would turn out and support the stuff that's not a pantomime, the stuff that's drama – because we are a drama club.
"That's what we're about, and you've got to cover all genres to make it work for what people like in theatre.
"Caithness likes pantomime and comedies, but we've done some deep drama and got to British finals with it. And it's good for a cast to do something that is dramatically different – it challenges their acting skills.
"After the Flags and Bands is a gutsy play because it's set in the First World War. It's four women and their parts are all very challenging.
"A Dog's Life is a challenging play too."
Jenny has been impressed with the commitment shown by the younger performers.
"They've gone straight from panto back into rehearsals, so good on them," she said.
Due to the low number of entries this year, both Wick teams will automatically progress to the next rounds:
The seniors will compete at the Highland divisional final in Plockton High School on March 22/23, with Wick performing on the Saturday. The winners will qualify for the Scottish final in Greenock at the end of April.
The juniors will compete at the Highland youth final in the Spectrum Centre, Inverness, on March 16. The winners of this round will go on to the Scottish youth final in Bathgate.
Tickets for the Caithness district festival are available from the Flower Patch in Wick and McBeath's jewellers in Thurso. They cost £8 and are non-refundable.
Jenny added: "It would be good to think that Thurso will be back on form and participating again next year."
