Wick date for spaceport play will be a ‘coming home’ for Gunn
Caithness writer George Gunn is promising an evening of “passionate, colourful and entertaining” live drama when his play inspired by the Sutherland Spaceport comes to Wick next month.
The Fallen Angels of the Moine, from Dogstar Theatre Company, is touring the Highlands and Islands from August 27. As previously reported, dates include Melness Community Centre on Friday, September 6, and Reay village hall on Saturday, September 7, and a Wick date has now been added – on Thursday, September 5, in Mackays Hotel.
The spaceport is in the early stages of construction on the Moine peninsula in north Sutherland.
Gunn said: “Dogstar’s production of The Fallen Angels of the Moine is advertised as ‘a Highland spaceport fantasy’ but my play is no fairy story. Although containing music, comedy, mythology and poetry, the play is rooted in reality – which is the planned creation of a spaceport on the Moine peninsula.
“I think it is an important play for Caithness and Sutherland because it discusses the appropriate use of land, which is both a valuable and untapped asset in Scottish terms, and how young people can hope to make a life in the often challenging climate and political environment of the far north. Indeed, humanity’s treatment of the natural world is a significant theme in the play.
“I am delighted that the production will be coming to Melness, where the play is set, to Reay, where the tour will end, and most especially to Mackays Hotel in Wick as my mother was born in Union Street, just a few doors down.
“I have a deep affection for Wick, her people, her history and future, so this seems to me to be a coming home both for this play and my work in general.
“Professional touring theatre is a rarity these days, so I hope that the people of Wick – and Caithness and Sutherland – will come and see something which is about their world, which is passionate, colourful and entertaining. I want the performance in Mackays Hotel to be a celebration of life.”
Ticket details are on www.dogstartheatre.co.uk
The Fallen Angels of the Moine will begin at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool on August 27 and will also go to An Lanntair, Stornoway (August 28), Talla na Mara, Isle of Harris (August 29), Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye (August 30), Astley Hall, Arisaig (August 31) and Rosehall village hall (September 4).
Cast members are Rebecca Wilkie, Tara McGirr and Matthew Zajac. It is directed by Matthew Zajac and designed by Ali Maclaurin, with music and sound by Brian McAlpine and Jonny Hardie.