Whit’s on this weekend?

Visiting Plays

This weekend will see Fintry Amateur Dramatic Society (FADS) pay a visit to Birsay Drama Club, bringing the Stirling, Strarthendrick and the Strathkelvin Young Farmers’ Club (SSSYFC) with them to introduce their latest productions to local Orcadian audiences.

Following hugely enjoyable trips in 2014, 2015 and 2017, FADS was delighted to be able to return the favour last July, when the Birsay thespians spent a couple of days in Fintry and treated local audiences to their productions of Henry the Tudor Dude and The Passing Place (written by their own Issy Grieve). It was a wonderful weekend, with old friendships reignited, new ones formed and the bond between two drama clubs — over 300 miles apart — undeniably strengthened.

Margaret Irvine, of Birsay DC, said at the time: “We’ve all thoroughly enjoyed this venture and can’t wait to do it again, so I think it’s a certain return visit for you next year.”

And it’s happening! On Friday, May 17, at Birsay Community Hall and Saturday, May 18, at the Orkney Theatre, Kirkwall, FADS will be presenting Mrs G. by Mike Tibbetts, an absorbing drama that explores a dark theme through a brief encounter between a male ex-prisoner and a diligent cleaning lady. The as-yet unpublished play won the Scott Salver Playwriting Competition Award 2019 in this year’s SCDA one-act festival, notching up a record-equalling fifth win for Mike.

Then the Young Farmers will lighten the mood with a lively performance of David Tristram’s comedy, Little Grimley Presents Strictly Sex Factor (on Ice), an entertaining romp about a struggling amateur dramatic club looking to put bums on seats.

At the helm of both teams is producer and director Ian Turner, with Denver Chalmers and Sarah Walker treading the boards for FADS, and Stuart Rankin, Laura Paterson, Scott Rankin and Amanda Stewart flying the Young Farmers’ flag. Both plays made it through to the SCDA Eastern Division Final, which was held in Edinburgh at the start of April, where Mrs G. won the award for Best Stage Presentation. Meanwhile, SSSYFC not only took first place in the annual Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ drama festival in February but also won Best Stage Presentation, Best Actor (Stuart Rankin), Most Promising Actress (Laura Paterson) and Most Promising Actor (Scott Rankin).

“I think we can pretty much say that a drama trip to Orkney is now in the FADS annual planner”, said Ian Turner.

“Those of us who have been before know what wonderful hospitality is waiting for us and we’re really pleased to be bringing some club members who haven’t visited Orkney before — as well as two award-winning plays.”

Tickets will be available at the door, priced £5. Doors open at 6.30pm, curtains up 7pm.

Orkney Camerata’s concert in St Magnus Cathedral this Sunday, May 19, will feature a new piece specially written for the group by New Zealand composer Andra Patterson.

Camerata chairwoman Glenys Hughes explained that support from Orkney Islands Council’s Culture Fund occasionally enables Camerata to join forces with professional musicians living outwith Orkney, and previous collaborations have included concerts with Russian violinist Rafal Zambryski-Payne and harpist Esther Swift. This year’s collaboration has seen the commissioning of a new piece of music specially tailored to Camerata’s resources.

Camerata first performed Andra’s music as part of a St Magnus Festival concert in June 2016; then in December 2017, as part of a Winter Choir concert, an ensemble of Camerata players performed her Magnushymnen, inspired by the medieval Hymn to St Magnus.

The new piece, entitled Home from the Sea, links both Orkney and New Zealand. Andra writes that the piece is inspired by the story of Private James Cooper of Kirkwall. After serving in the Royal Navy, Cooper travelled to New Zealand where he enlisted in the Auckland Infantry. He fought and was wounded at Gallipoli in 1915 and he died two months later. His body was returned to Orkney and was buried in St Magnus Churchyard, alongside his father, sister and infant brother. Home from the sea is scored for strings, flute, clarinet and bassoon, with a solo voice added in the closing section. Andra plans to be in Orkney for the final rehearsals and performance.

Completing the programme, Gemma McGregor, David Griffith and Michael Butler will take centre stage as concerto soloists in Vivaldi’s Goldfinch Concerto and Telemann’s Concerto for two chalumeaux, and an ensemble of Camerata players will perform an arrangement by composer Thomas Adès of the harpsichord piece Les Baricades mistérieuses by the French baroque composer Francois Couperin. Camerata strings, led by Elizabeth Sullivan, will bring the concert to a close with Portraits of country fiddlers, a set of spirited arrangements of Finnish fiddle tunes by Petr Henrik Nordgren.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and admission costs £10 for adults, with school pupils admitted free of charge.

The Big Sing

May 18, 2019 7:00 pm

This Saturday, May 18 will see the East Church, Kirkwall, play host to a gathering of Iona-style singing for everyone.

The Big Sing 2019, organised by KGS biology teacher Paul Heppleston, will present an evening of songs — of unity and diversity; hope and freedom; songs known and unknown; songs of joy and yearning; songs for singers and those who think they can’t; songs for people of faith and no faith.

“Orcadians know full well of the power of singing together and the benefits of doing so for body, mind and spirit,” said Paul.

“So come along (for a cuppa, if not for the singing) to the East Church, Kirkwall at 7pm on Saturday, May 18.

Paul has led many similar singing events, in Orkney and elsewhere, and now acts as a relief musician in Iona Abbey from time to time. His current church “doon sooth” has the tag-line “doing church differently”, so come prepared for the usual and the unusual.

If you’re interested in taking part in The Big Sing, Paul advises you to “just turn up” on the night.

Gin Night

May 18, 2019 7:00 pm

A Gin Night, in aid of the Archie Foundation, will be held at the Masonic, Kirkwall, this Saturday evening.

The event, which will offer folk a taste of six 35ml beverages will begin at 7pm.

Tickets priced £25, to book call Alana Docherty on 07990761881.

OTN Coffee Morning

May 18, 2019 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Orkney Talking Newspaper will be hosting a coffee morning at the King Street halls, Kirkwall, this Saturday.

There will be raffles, bottle stalls, baking, books and plants from 10.30am until 12pm.

RNLI Plant Sale

May 18, 2019

There will be a weekend of fundraising in aid of RNLI at the Harray Community Centre.

This Saturday, the hall will play host to a plant sale from 2pm until 4pm. On Sunday, there will be a car boot sale from 1pm.

Stromness Museum Open Day

May 18, 2019

Stromness Museum will be hosting an Open Day, this Saturday, with free entry to see their fascinating exhibitions.

From 1.30-3.30pm there will also be a marine-themed crafts drop-in and from 3.30pm there will be a talk from Martin Gray on 5,000 years of Orkney Beachcombing.