Drama in the library
Free seats for Radio 4 play
Innerpeffray Library, situated a few miles from Crieff in rural Strathearn
“I’m thrilled to see it on at my local library,” Linda told the PA.
She added: “I’m over the moon to have this play performed in my local library which supports me both as a writer and a reader, giving me access to books on everything from Islamic architecture to General Wade’s Roads to the latest Rose Tremain novel.
“[Breadalbane Library] is also a welcoming, light, airy space which helps build a sense of community. A performance of my play with historic foundations feels right in our new library.”
The Lamp – which stars locals Anna Hepburn and David Roy as well as Thulani Rachia as the Kenyan librarian – was enjoyed by listeners across the UK back in December 2011 when it was broadcast in the popular ‘Play of the Week’ slot on BBC Radio 4.
The actors came to record on location at Innerpeffray, Scotland’s oldest public lending library.
Lu Kemp, director of Perth Theatre, is directing the sell-out performance. A play by an Aberfeldy-based writer is being performed at Breadalbane Community Campus, the author’s home turf.
‘The Lamp’ is Linda Cracknell’s 2011 play commissioned by the BBC, set at the historic Library of Innerpeffray.
The production reflects on the heritage of the ancient public library near Crieff and Linda’s own travels in Africa.
The story sees how an overdue book brings together a visiting Kenyan librarian on a study visit and a widow from a nearby farm.
The engaging tale compares Innerpeffray’s foundation at a time of national conflict with tribal troubles and the need for books in present-day Kenya.
On Saturday this week, as part of the new county-wide Platform Festival, ‘The Lamp’ gets a script-in-hand reading in Aberfeldy’s Breadalbane Library at 7pm.