In an incredibly packed three weeks, professional director Symon Macintyre, together with Cromarty musicians, performers and writers, has taken over this historic town and is about to stage four unique performances.  Whispers, cries and rebels is a series of short vignettes that demonstrate the sparkling talents of primary kids to pensioners.

Symon Macintyre has been delighted by the strong local support that this project has generated. He says “This will be a great night out for all the family and a unique experience.”

The performance lasts 2 hours and is all indoors with a short walk between four venues. The community drama is part of the town’s Sea Cromarty Sparkle winter festival for the Year of Highland Culture and is funded by Awards for All and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Inverness & East Highland.

The plays themselves reflect different strands of Cromarty life from contemporary to historical, comedy to myth.  The ideas grew out of a community interest to revive drama and writing in Cromarty.

Beginning in February this year as part of Highland 2007, Cromarty Arts Trust appointed Joel Mason Houck as playwright in residence, with funding from the Scottish Arts Council’s pARTners programme.  A writers’ group was formed along with a team of budding actors.  The performances on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 November are the culmination of all the hard work of the writers and performers, Jenny Gunn, Joel and Symon.

‘The Mermaid and the Fisherman’ is a charming puppet play about the Cromarty lighthouse, involving mermaids and selkies, is performed by Cromarty P6/7s, with free popcorn on offer.

In an alternative look at the Hugh Miller story, the audience for ‘Harriet’ sits in the historic East Church to hear the story of Harriet Miller – seamstress and shroud maker to the Parish. A spine-tingler ...

‘Coming and Going’ is a contemporary play explores how living in the historic town of Cromarty can mean so many things to different people.

‘Come on Beth’ is a hilarious re-telling of Macbeth, as performed at lunchbreak speed by Cromarty schoolchildren in the 50s, completes the series.

Artistic Director:  Symon Macintyre from Nairn has over 25 years experience in running largescale site-specific events. His Big Shop concept has been revived in many guises and is regarded as a blueprint for good community theatre. Recently he has been in Japan and USA and is currently setting up links for a collaboration in Norway. He is also writer, performer and director in both theatre and television.

Tickets can be purchased from The Emporium, 11-13 High St, Cromarty or phone 01381 600551 or on vivienne@vgriffiths9.wanadoo.co.uk.

Full price £7, under 12s free, concessions available.

Rendezvous at The Royal Hotel, Cromarty at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.  Please be prompt – late-comers will be lost!  Come dressed for the weather.

For more information on the drama and all other Sea Cromarty Sparkle events, visit www.seacromartysparkle.co.uk

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Contact: Georgia Macleod - 07968 629612