The View from Castle Rock

World Premiere Performance Announced for Edinburgh International Book Festival this August

Article Source: Edinburgh International Book Festival
Last Updated: 25 May 2016 15:53

THE VIEW FROM CASTLE ROCK

The Edinburgh International Book Festival today announced the world premiere of a specially commissioned theatrical adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro’s moving and enigmatic short stories. Taken from the Canadian author’s short story collection and adapted for the stage by multi award-winning playwright, Linda McLean, The View from Castle Rock imagines the extraordinary experiences of Munro’s Scottish ancestors who sailed from Leith Docks in 1818 in the hope of a better life in Canada and will form a centrepiece of the Book Festival this August.

The production is presented in collaboration with Stellar Quines, an award winning theatre company which celebrates the energy, experience and perspective of women. Acclaimed director Marilyn Imrie and playwright Linda McLean will create, in this word-for-word adaptation from Alice Munro’s text, a vibrant drama about the nineteenth century Scottish migrant experience.

Imrie and McLean will be working with a creative team including designer Claire Halleran, composer Pippa Murphy, and a cast that includes Simon Donaldson and Brian O’Sullivan.

The View from Castle Rock is supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund and this event is also part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Following daily performances during the Book Festival at artSpace@StMarks in Castle Terrace, The View from Castle Rock will tour to the Borders including the Ettrick Valley, home of Munro’s ancestors who were related to James Hogg. The tour will take in Peebles, Hawick, Ettrickbridge and Galashiels from 31 August to 3 September as part of Booked!; Edinburgh International Book Festival on the road and the Borders Live Touring scheme.

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “Alice Munro is celebrated across the globe as the greatest living short story writer. She is also fascinated by her heritage and her family’s voyage from Scotland to Canada in the early-19th century. Today, at a time when the refugee crisis is such a topical issue right across Europe, I am proud that the Book Festival and Stellar Quines will bring Munro’s story dramatically to life as the centrepiece of a thoughtful, far-reaching discussion about human migration."

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “Alice Munro’s work has been admired and celebrated by readers across the globe since she first put pen to paper in the 1950s. The View from Castle Rock, which tells the story of James Laidlaw and his family, is a powerful and moving depiction of life in Scotland during the 19th century and a subsequent journey and settlement in Canada. I’m confident audiences will engage with Linda McLean’s theatrical adaptation presented by Stellar Quines.

“The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a highlight in the Edinburgh Festivals’ calendar. The Scottish Government is proud to support the festival via the Expo Fund and has provided £85,000 this year to bring this innovative piece of work to life, which continues to raise Scotland’s cultural profile on the international stage.”

Linda McLean, Playwright, said “Alice Munro's writing is riddled with the kind of subtext I usually look for in theatre, where the unsaid is often more powerful than the words a character says out loud. She plants a seed of thought so stealthily that I often wonder if it was a figment of my imagination until two or three stories later she refers to it, almost accidentally, but with such emotional punch that I have to close the book and hug it to myself.”

Marilyn Imrie, Director, said “The deprivations and sorrows encountered by Munro’s migrant family are sadly familiar, two hundred years on. Playwright Linda McLean brings to the production her experience of a form of dramatic storytelling currently inspiring exciting new theatre in Canada, the US and Europe: word for word dramatisation – every word spoken is from the text as Munro wrote it. And the performances are staged in a 19th century church with a fine view of Castle Rock.”

The View from Castle Rock will be performed daily from Thursday 11 August (11 and 12 August Previews) to Monday 29 August (times vary) at artSpace@StMarks, 7 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh (Fringe Venue 125). Tickets can be booked through the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at www.edfringe.com from Thursday 26 May, or through the Edinburgh International Book Festival Box Office, www.edbookfest.co.uk from Tuesday 21 June. Full price £15.00, Concessions £12.00, Previews £10.00.
The full programme for the Edinburgh International Book Festival will be announced on Thursday 9 June 2016.

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Laser Fundraiser Marathon for Cash for Kids will benefit 412 Children

Laser Station in partnership with Cash For Kids, is thrilled to announce the success of its recent Laser Marathon fundraiser in Edinburgh, Hull & Braehead, raising a total of £2266.

Top Dogs at Loch Lomond Shores returns this Saturday

Top Dogs is back! Dog lovers invited to come and have a fun day out with their four-legged family members.

May happenings round up for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has a bumper series of events planned for May, including an unmissable Summer Gin Garden, live music each Thursday and a new Peruvian menu for the Commons Club Chef's Table.

Drink Beer, Win Cash!

Britain's biggest independent craft brewer, BrewDog is giving beer lovers a chance to 'Drink Beer, Win Cash' with the return of its Cash Cans scavenger hunt this Spring.

TikTok returns as Official Virtual Stage of the Fringe Festival 2024

We're thrilled to announce that, for the third year running, TikTok will be the Official Virtual Stage of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Aberg, Fleetwood and Hovland set to star in Genesis Scottish Open

European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland are set to reunite at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open.

Six Company announce further investment into Edinburgh restaurant scene

Six Company announces additional investment in the Edinburgh hospitality industry with the opening of Six by Nico Edinburgh West End and Somewhere by Nico Edinburgh.

Uber Releases Limited Edition Swiftie Inspired Friendship Bracelets

Uber releases Swiftie-inspired friendship bracelets, offering £20 credit ahead of the Era's Tour this June.

Fayre Play announces phenomenal ticket giveaway for Taylor Swift Eras Tour

Fayre Play, the ultimate adult funfair games experience in Glasgow & Edinburgh, have announced an exclusive ticket giveaway for Taylor Swift's highly anticipated show at Murrayfield on June 8th!

PURE Spa & Beauty partners with O2Worx to launch Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Edinburgh

PURE Spa & Beauty is proud to announce its partnership with 02Worx by launching Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in 16 of its spa locations across the United Kingdom including three in Edinburgh.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals Returns to the Edinburgh Playhouse May 2024

For the first time, audiences will be treated to a dazzling dozen amazing pro dancers from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, performing this spectacular show at Edinburgh Playhouse!

National Chef Gary Maclean hosts Oyster and Champagne Bar for Edinburgh Seafood Festival

Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean is hosting an exclusive Oyster and Champagne Bar as part of the Edinburgh Seafood Festival on Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th at Bonnie & Wild.

Edinburgh to host UK premiere of blockbuster floral show for second consecutive year

Fleurs de Villes, the world-renowned floral show has announced it will return to Edinburgh next month with its major new exhibition; ARTISTE.

Edinburgh Tradfest kicks off this Friday

A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest this weekend (3 May to 13 May).

Make Time for a Cuppa to help support families with dementia

Dementia specialist nursing charity, Dementia UK, is running its 14th annual 'Time for a Cuppa Fundraiser' to raise vital funds for the leading cause of death in the UK.

Discover the magic of trees with Dobbies

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting children aged four to 10 to a free workshop in May to learn more about trees and how to protect them.

Sign up for 2 free tickets to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show

It's just days until the opening of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which is back SEC, Glasgow on 11-12 May 2024.

More than 14,100 Kiltwalk heroes step up to achieve record breaking Glasgow event

Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.

RUSK & RUSK shares the Spanish Butcher menu ahead of opening in two weeks

RUSK & RUSK, the independent Scottish restaurant group, today shares details of the menu set to ignite tastebuds for The Spanish Butcher which officially opens in Edinburgh on Friday 10th May.

Johnnie Walker Princes Street seeks new talent to join award winning team

Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the award-winning global visitor experience in the heart of Edinburgh, has announced exciting opportunities for passionate individuals to join its renowned team.

All Aboard for Unmissable Tales of Adventure at the Port Edgar Open Weekend

THREE captivating and inspiring stories of adventure, near-death experiences and endurance are set to thrill the crowds at Port Edgar Marina’s 10th anniversary Open Weekend on 4th and 5th May!

Van Gogh experience announces Scottish premiere dates

A spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!

A Big Map for the Big Yin! Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly

National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.

Cast announced for Scottish tour of Hen Night Horror

Touring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!

The Best Home Bar competition from Aldi Scotland returns for 2024

Aldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!

Fingal sails to top of world best luxury hotels list

Edinburgh’s Fingal has sailed to the top of the world’s best hotels list in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards 2024.

UNIQLO will officially open the doors to its Princes Street store tomorrow

Edinburgh – Global apparel retailer UNIQLO, will welcome its first Scottish customers through the doors of its Edinburgh store on Thursday, 25th April.

CHICAGO Announced for the Edinburgh Playhouse

David Ian for Crossroads Live in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce further dates for the 2024/2025 UK and Ireland tour with dates at Edinburgh Playhouse in 2025.