Tuesday 13 June 2006

 

JOHNSMAS FOY LAUNCHES IN STYLE

 

This year’s Johnsmas Foy gets off to a flying start with two spectacular visual arts events, each with a distinct nautical feel to complement the festival’s overarching theme – a celebration of sail.

 

On 16 June, ‘Nort Atlantik Drift’ – lirik taels o a lyf bie da oshin (North Atlantic Drift – lyric tales of a life by the ocean) is a poetry and music event that will be held in Lerwick Town Hall.  Also on 16 June, Shetland will welcome a return visit by Britain’s only touring ship MV Fitzcarraldo to Victoria Pier, Lerwick.  With performances over three days, ‘Noah’s Ark’ is heralded as a fantastic family show and will be presented by Shetland Arts and Walk the Plank. 

 

Kathy Hubbard, of Shetland Arts, said: “The Johnsmas Foy is a tremendous opportunity for us to offer a wide range of arts activities for the public to enjoy.  As well as the music events that the public expect from us at midsummer, we are also offering a chance to see top class drama on Britain’s only travelling theatre ship and to enjoy some of the best of Shetland dialect poetry.

 

“The MV Fitzcarraldo has visited Lerwick before and dazzled audiences with their extraordinary performances of ‘Moby Dick’ and ’20,000 Leagues under the Sea’.  This time they are bringing their version of ‘Noah’s Ark’ involving theatre, music and puppetry, which is guaranteed to be a very entertaining experience.  Watching it all in the ship’s auditorium will just add to the special nature of it all.

 

“But to kick off the arts events for Johnsmas, we are offering a chance to ‘chill out’ and relax on the Friday night with some dreamy poetry and classical music.  ‘Nort Atlantik Drift’ will combine the talents of poets Robert Alan Jamieson and Laureen Johnson with those of pianist Neil Georgeson and violinist David Worswick.

 

“That, followed by a piano and violin recital by Neil and David on the Saturday night, should be a wonderful opening to the Foy.”

 

Chairman of the Johnsmas Foy organising committee Eddie Knight added: “We are delighted with the variety and quality of events taking place this year, which will not only provide a high quality experience for participants, but will also help to put the Johnsmas Foy summer festival firmly on the Shetland event calendar.  With event themes including outdoor adventures, visual arts, crafts and drama, music and dance (including the Shetland Blues Festival), as well as a celebration of sail, we hope we have every interest covered.”

 

Further information from:

Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465 or email Or,  Nicola Halcrow, Shetland Islands Council, tel 01595 744944 or email