White Nights
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Performed by the exemplary Scottish actor Brian Ferguson this was a treat for lovers of skilled one man shows. Taking the stage in the beautiful new amphitheatre within the Explorers’ Garden above the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, this stage adaptation provided a perfect setting for this piece. Starting with the author contemplatively seated on a bench the remembered encounter began.
An hour slipped seamlessly by as this outstanding work of literature gently unfolded. The River Tummel below stood in for the Neva River in St Petersburg as the lonely author recounts a chance encounter with a young woman with whom he falls instantly in love for the first time. I will not tell you what happens, but in modern terms it is the story of a silly young girl and a nerdy, lonely young man. However, with the mastery of Dostoevsky’s writing, it provides a poignant and intriguing story and piece of theatre.
Beautifully adapted and directed by current artistic director Elizabeth Newman, with subtle sound by Ben Occhipinti this was a perfect summer evening show. The new amphitheatre reached through the mini-Kew of the Explorer Garden is a great addition to the Festival Theatre Estate. It has excellent acoustics, is well protected by surrounding trees and provides an intimate setting for this type of work. Hopefully full use of it will continue next season when the main house reopens. Highly recommended.
