McLellan Festival – a big week

Arran’s arts festival is moving into top gear this week. It has already featured Joni Keen in concert, a poetry evening with the competition results and a poetry workshop the next day – not to mention the famous Corrie ceilidh, with Tim Pomeroy’s marvellous songs and a stomping performance from the Jazz Café Band – but there is more to come.

Tuesday 3rd September sees a showing of Ken Loach’s film, The Angel’s Share, about whisky and much else, and on Thursday 5th there is Arran on Film, with fascinating footage of a past time. Both of these are in Corrie Hall, details in the programme above.

On Friday 6th, students from the Royal Northern College of Music stage their now famous Opera Gala in the Community Theatre. These young stars of the future, many of whom have already been head-hunted by leading international companies, will entertain you with well-loved arias from the classic operas and with great numbers from the musical shows. Not to be missed.

Finally, there is a performance of Mendelssohn’s passionate and exciting oratorio, Elijah, also in the Community Theatre, with talented students taking the solo parts and being joined by members of local choirs for the choruses. Tickets for all events can be bought at the door or online from www.arranevents.com. They are a rattling good bargain. Anyone used to mainland prices will be astonished and delighted, while those of us lucky enough to live on Arran will, once again, simply have a very good time.