The Beanstalk is taking root
An all year round Tryst in Cumnock rather than quickie
The full cast and creative team of The Gaiety’s Pantomime ‘ Jack and the Beanstalk’ have assembled for the first full readthrough of the script.
Last week, the cast and creative team enjoyed being together for the nearly- finalised script, working on on their character development, musical plans, technical ideas and sowing the seeds for what they hope will prove to be a GIANT of a pantomime.
The Gaiety Theatre, in association with The Coo Shed have teamed up with brand new writing duo Ken Alexander and Fraser Boyle to create the first in- house pantomime since The Gaiety re- opened in 2012. Focusing on local traditions, places and names, The Gaiety are creating a truly Ayrshire pantomime that will give local people a show they can call their own;
Ken Alexander said: “We’re very keen that the panto is tailor- made for the theatre and the audience in Ayrshire as well.
“So it’s going to be set in Ayrshire, in a country village so there will be lots of local references – very topical, we hope.”
The cast is Chris Forbes ( Scot Squad), Karen Bartke ( Scot Squad), Gavin John Wright ( River City), Kirsty Malone ( Sunshine on Leith), David McGowan ( Trust Me) and Jillian Cunningham.
The full ensemble, will be performing ‘ Jack and the Beanstalk’ at The Gaiety from Friday, November 29 to Sunday January 5.
Tickets are available from The Gaiety Box Office on 01292 288235 or www. thegaiety. co. uk
Prices are from £ 14-£ 22 and a family ticket £ 72.
The Cumnock Tryst Music Club is resurrecting the former success of the much- loved Cumnock Music Club run by RD Hunter in years gone by.
This new project will bring fantastic, world- class musicians to East Ayrshire year- round, not just during the festival weekend which has just passed.
Starting on December 1, the Music Club will welcome the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Piano Quartet.
It will then bring the guitarists Knox and Ion Duo on January 18.
Scots folk duo Hannah Rarity and Luc McNally on February 21 and the Hebrides Ensemble with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Voices on March 28.
The final concert of the season will see a very special trio from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform on May 3.
They will perform in the splendor of Dumfries House, including their new Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev on piano.
Tickets for the Music Club go on sale this Monday October 14 at thecumnocktryst. com/ musicclub.
They will also be available to purchase in person from Words of Wisdom in Cumnock, and on the door at each concert from 30 minutes before the start.
Sir James MacMillan CBE, Founder and Artistic Director of the Cumnock Tryst, said: “I love planning these festivals, and I always try to make them different and let them evolve and develop from year to year.
The sixth festival had its own unique character and mood again, and the quality of our performers delighted our audiences.
“I’m also very excited about the launch of our first, allyear round Music Club programme.
“It shows that The Tryst is determined to spread our presence throughout the whole year.”