The younger pupils of St Andrews, Burray and the Hope schools enjoyed an afternoon of comedy  from the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company.

Delayed by weather disruptions to ferry sailings the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company eventually reached Orkney and put on a very entertaining show in the St Andrews School, Orkney on Wednesday the 3rd of October which had the kids whooping with delight from the start.

The show  entitled ‘Martha’ about a stubborn and eccentric woman who lives on her own by the sea and doesn’t want any friends. The only visitor she has is the Postie.

But one day a mischievous goose turns up and Martha’s life is never the same again.

Simple but effective staging and minimal use of props accompanied by music kept everything lively.

There was lots of laughter and movement but with that poignant tinge of sadness pitched just right for the age group watching.

Catherine Wheels came to Orkney as part of a tour organised by Theatre in Schools Scotland.

Reporter: Fiona Grahame

Theatre in Schools Scotland, is a three-year pilot project touring world-class theatre and dance to Scotland’s schools. Now entering its final year, the project’s ambition is to create and test a touring and producing model that could ultimately bring one piece of high quality theatre or dance to every child in a Scottish school or nursery each year.

For 2018 it has expanded its programme and is touring seven productions with performances suitable for nurseries, primary and secondary schools (S1) in a year-round programme from April 2018 to March 2019.

The project, which launched in 2016, has been developed by Imaginate and the National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, Starcatchers and Visible Fictions. It creates ongoing opportunities for Scotland’s schools to host performances in their school halls and local communities.

Sponsored by The Scottish Salmon Company and Culture & Business Fund Scotland . Supported by Orkney Islands Council and Northlink Ferries