Stage set for unusual Perthshire theatre tour

The stage is set for an unusual theatre tour throughout Perth and Kinross.

Pubs, hotels and village halls will provide venues for performances over the next few weeks.

As the 14.5 million refurbishment of Perth Theatre continues, two intimate shows will travel to several communities.

Newly-commissioned productions Face, by Peter Arnott, and Jacquoranda, by Alan Bissett, will tour from Kinross to Blair Atholl as part of the Out and About series.

One of the first venues has been unveiled as McKays Bar and Restaurant in Pitlochry.

Owner and former thespian Richard Drummond was only too happy to transform the back of his pub into a makeshift theatre after being approached by Horsecross Arts. He attended Sheffield University drama school in his 30s before auditioning with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and spending time working on stage and radio in London.

At one point he was even a warm-up act for rock legends Status Quo.

Richard hopes the venture will get more locals interested in arts and drama.

“As someone who trained as an actor, I think it is great that people who would not normally go to a theatre can see great plays,” he said.

“I am really pleased, therefore, that we are having theatre in McKays.

“We host live comedy and have live music four nights per week already, so this adds something new for our customers.”

McKays will host a performance of Face tomorrow, while Jacquoranda will make its way to Pitlochry a week later.

Richard praised the innovative project, saying: “Having theatre in unusual venues has worked very well in other places.

“The A Play, A Pie and A Pint concept, for example, has been hugely successful at Oran Mor in Glasgow.

“This is a rare opportunity for people to see great shows while effectively having a drink in their local.”