Concert with Christine Bovill

Music Arran Welcomes

Christine Bovill 17th June 2023

Arran High School, 7.30pm

Award winning chanteuse, Christine Bovill returns for her third visit to Arran. In a year whose highlights include an international theatre tour of her Piaf and Paris shows, coupled with the launch of her new show at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Christine will perform an intimate evening of song. Sponsored by Chamber Music Scotland and the Arran Theatre and Arts Trust.

A Night With Christine Bovill

Christine has built her reputation on her interpretation of classic 20th century song, and tonight she will perform a vibrant and original collection of bittersweet ballads, alongside infectious folk-rock and chanson – all bound together by her remarkable voice.

Christine Bovill grew up in Mollinsburn, just outside Glasgow. She was born into a musical family – both her parents were teachers of traditional music. She began collecting jazz records from an early age, and developed a fondness for Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday. One day she fatefully came across an Edith Piaf record, and her life took a new turn. She was mesmerized by Piaf’s voice, and developed a passion for French song, language and culture and even took a degree in French so she could do justice to singing chansons.

Christine developed her own theatre shows, and with the release of “Derby St”, and “The Sentence That I Serve” she revealed a major talent as a songwriter. And, in 2011 she took to the stage at the Edinburgh Festival in the style of French chanteuse, performing Piaf in English and French- delighting audiences. Her voice is smoky, evocative and emotive – perfect for portraying the life of the legendary Parisian. And perfect for singing of triumphs and tragedies, just as Piaf once did.

“My musical tastes are vast” Christine insists, “but Piaf remains the old, wise, trusted friend behind it all. She was incredible – a pure professional, given her horrendous life and addictions (painkillers and alcohol). She was a complicated figure, but yeah, an inspiration for sure.”

Christine’s voice has taken her all over the world – including South Korea and Berlin, where she had residency as a Scot, spoke in English and sang in French to a German audience. She lives in Troon and has performed in her local theatre, where she went as a little girl with her Dad.

Christine has a spaniel called Poppy and loves their walks by the sea. She finds nature a healing balm which perhaps explains the title of one her songs which was picked up by Sony and found its way onto American TV – The Antman and the Wasp. She is now busy with her new show Paris: From Piaf to Pop which dips into the 1960s and will be performed at the Edinburgh festival.

Please help Music Arran by donating a raffle prize plus invite friends & family to come. Tickets available online from Tickets Scotland or in person from Inspirations of Arran in Brodick. Free to under-18s.

Music Arran’s committee members are Jan Macgregor, Heather Gough, Sandra Bentley, Alice Maxwell, Carol Wickstead, Jane Howe, Hilary Maguire and Susanna Talbot. Email contact@arranmusic.co.uk