Ratter’s play chosen for reading

National Theatre of Scotland literary manager Frances Poet led a workshop recently at the Garrison Theatre in Lerwick and as a result, writers from Shetland were encouraged to submit short plays for consideration.

Peter Ratter’s play, The Sea Maid and the Swan Princess, has now been chosen for development and a rehearsed reading. Ms Poet said: “It has been a real privilege to meet a range of writers in Shetland and to have the opportunity to work more closely with the writing talent here. The National Theatre of Scotland is committed to building relationships with artists across Scotland and we are pleased to have begun a dialogue with Peter as well as giving a Shetland audience, the opportunity to enjoy early work, from a local new talent, performed by a professional cast.”

Born and brought up in Shetland, Mr Ratter has enjoyed telling stories for as long as he can remember and is currently working on a new script for local drama group Serpentine. The Sea Maid and the Swan Princess follows the friendship of two women over a year, and what they learn as they unravel their selves from their memories, hopes and fears.

The play will be read at 5.30pm at Weisdale Hall tonight, prior to the touring performance of Mary Queen of Scots Got her Head Chopped Off by Liz Lochhead, starring Joyce Falconer and Jo Freer, which begins at 7.30pm.

The free reading will last approximately 30 minutes and places will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Tickets for the main performance (£8/£6) are available in advance on (01595) 745555 or at the venue before the show. Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off is touring Scotland alongside Our Teacher’s a Troll a new play for younger audiences, which will be at Weisdale Hall tomorrow at 10.30am.