All you need to know…

Leaving Edinburgh for an overnight stay in Pitlochry is always an activity full of excitement and joyful anticipation. The stationary traffic around Perth’s huge roundabouts throws a dash of cold water over that. We got through eventually and arrived at our B&B, the delightful Derrybeg – hosts Ryan and Bea – in time to change.

First up this time was dinner in the wonderful theatre restaurant. I love it. The food is imaginative, well cooked and nicely presented, but the real attraction is the fantastic outlook over the Tummel and the canopy where you can watch the gulls wheeling in and out. Not quite the toucans of Costa Rica, but possibly more skilled aeronautics.

TRAVESTIES by Tom Stoppard, directed by Richard Baron

Mark Elstob could also be seen from the restaurant going over some of his lines. No wonder as the play is hugely demanding of its main character, Henry Carr. I thought Elstob captured the aged Carr reminiscing and the man in his prime seduced by performance beautifully. It helps audience understanding to have some familiarity with The Importance of Being Earnest which Stoppard used as the framework, but the play exists in its own merit, too.

CHICAGO by Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse and John Kander, directed by Richard Baron

Who doesn’t think they know everything they need to know about Chicago, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly? There might be opportunity for you to reconsider. Baron’s fast-paced production, with the musicians on-stage throughout, is a searing indictment of how sensationalism skews justice, perception and truth. The theatre was sold out for the matinée and sitting with my book in the shade, I saw coaches leave for Dundee, Laurencekirk & Forfar.

QUALITY STREET by JM BARRIE, directed by Liz Carruthers

Anything by JM Barrie is close to my heart and Quality Street in particular as it’s the last play I ever appeared in. Following our wonderful production of Arms and the Man by Shaw, we in 6th year at West Calder High School were very keen to repeat the triumph. However, the poor head of English, the late Doctor Lillian MacQueen, was a lot less keen. Eventually, she agreed to a curtain raiser of the first scene of Quality Street. I played Miss Susan. I have no idea who else was in the cast, so if you know please leave a comment.

Pitlochry did not disappoint and it was the perfect farewell after the hectic Travesties and Chicago. The clever round set was a delight and the ladies used it well, entering and leaving with just the right amount of fluttering. As always, Barrie’s understanding of the vicissitudes of life as a woman are laid bare, but with humour and a wry glance at what might have been. His mastery does not pall.

All runs continue and you can buy your tickets here