Schools in Orkney are going to be enjoying another wonderful production from the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company with ‘Going for Gold: Me and Linford Christie’ by Victoria Beesley.

The production is on tour through Theatre in Schools Scotland (TiSS), National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate. It is being supported by Orkney Islands Council Arts Development service and NorthLink Ferries.

Emma Gee, Orkney Islands Council Arts Officer said:

“It’s that lovely time of the year again when Orkney hosts professional theatre for our children. This time round we see the hopes and aspirations of a would-be athlete in Going For Gold: Me and Linford Christie. This will strike a chord for all of those that are currently working on their Personal Best times and distances in anticipation of next year and Orkney hosting The Island Games!  But for now we get to sit back and enjoy watching someone strive for their own personal glory. I can’t wait!” 

‘Going for Gold: Me and Linford Christie’ is about one girl’s journey to Olympic success and is inspired by Victoria Beesley’s obsession with athletics and her idol Linford Christie. Performed by Ellinor Larsson, it’s an energetic, entertaining and colourful show about friendship, working out who you are, loving failure and dreaming big. Each performance is followed by a short Q&A session for pupils, and schools are provided with learning resources and wraparound activities.

The production will be on at Dounby Community School on 26 February, Sanday Community School on 27 February, Westray Junior High School on 28 February and Stronsay Junior High School on 29 February.

Victoria Beesley is a playwright and theatre director based in Scotland, creating theatre productions for younger audiences. Catherine Wheels Theatre Company is Scotland’s most celebrated producer of work for children and young people.

Julian Almeida, Theatre in Schools Scotland Project Manager said:

“We are excited to visit Orkney again this academic year, and that this year’s audience includes pupils from Orkney mainland and island schools, with return visits to Dounby Community School, Westray Junior High School, Sanday Community School and a first visit to Stronsay Junior High School.

“Theatre in Schools Scotland aims to provide any child in any school in Scotland with the opportunity to experience a live arts performance, and our strong partnership with Orkney Islands Council Arts Development service ensures this includes Orkney pupils.”

Theatre in Schools Scotland has been bringing theatre and dance performances to Orkney since 2016 and is delighted to be continuing its ongoing relationship with the Islands’ schools and Orkney Islands Council Arts Development team. TiSS most recently toured to the Islands in 2022 with Curious Seed’s Chalk About but was unable to visit Stronsay Junior High School due to the weather so the team is very much looking forward to its first visit to the school. Catherine Wheels Theatre Company has visited Orkney schools previously with performances of Martha and Up to Speed as part of the Theatre in Schools Scotland programme.