BLAIRGOWRIE HIGHLAND NIGHT variety show and dance

Every Tuesday from 6th May to 30th September 2008 in The Angus Hotel Blairgowrie. doors open 7.30p.m. show starts 8.15p.m. Tickets £3.50, Concessions £2.50. (Family tickets and block bookings discount available on request).

THE HISTORY OF BLAIRGOWRIE HIGHLAND NIGHT

Until 1997 the highland night was organised and run by the local tourist office and was staged in the town hall. At the end of the 1997 season it was decided that the tourist board could no longer afford to run these nights.

Rather than lose the show completely local accordionist and entertainer Tommy Newcomen (who appeared on the show for 12 consecutive years both as an entertainer and musical director) got together with other artistes and decided to risk running a similar show in the towns Angus hotel..

The first show, in May 1998, attracted an audience of only 38 but it was a great night with a fantastic atmosphere. As the show has grown this atmosphere and warmth has remained and the same artistes play to full houses most weeks.

After the first season the hotel were good enough to provide a portable stage for use with the show. This is now used to improve the audience's view of the dancers and other acts. Over the past couple of years this show has also played many hotels and venues throughout Scotland

WHAT KIND OF SHOW IS IT ?

Every week the regular cast of accordionist and compere Tommy Newcomen, piper Graeme Thomson, singer Anne Pack and our own Angus highland dancers will all give 110% in an attempt to entertain you and give you a real taste of Scotland.

The show starts at 8.15pm with opening selections from Tommy and the rest of the cast and, after a brief introduction, it is on with the show.

Throughout the evening the cast will entertain you with their individual spots but there will also be the chance, for the more energetic members of the audience, to try some of the easier Scottish dances such as The Gay Gordons, St. Bernards Waltz and Strip The Willow. We will also feature other dances if there are enough people interested in dancing.

After a short interval, at about 9.15pm, the show continues through until approximately 10.30pm with another mixture of Scottish and Irish music, song, dance and jokes. At the end of the show you are welcome to stop and chat to the artistes or take photographs.

At the end of the 1998 we were presented with a comments book, as a gift from a member of the audience. This book is available each week for all attending the show to register their comments or indeed read past comments.

Over the years we have been lucky enough to have received many favourable comments about the show. Listed below are a few of the many comments from the book.

DENIS WHITE FROM ESSEX "A great night of entertainment. Loved to watch the dancers. Great Show" E.HANSON FROM DONCASTER "One of the best nights I've had in a very long time" DIANE WOODMAN FROM BLACKPOOL "As good as the pier shows" ANGUS ROLLO FROM DENMARK "Excellent Scottish entertainment" DOT JACKSON FROM NORTH WALES “Excellent entertainment. Loved the music and the jokes. A really fun night” JOHN D.MACLEOD FROM PRESTON “Never seen a better show. Great” MR AND MRS WATSON FROM BARNSLEY “Thank you for making our holiday so very special” THE WALKER FAMILY FROM STOURBRIDGE “Thoroughly entertaining show. Well worth a visit” JOHN AND ERIN BRIGHT FROM CANADA “A great night of family entertainment. All the acts Were first class and thank you for teaching us Strip the Willow. Please come to Canada”.

WE HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT OUR SHOW AND COME ALONG FOR A NIGHT OF GREAT MUSIC, SONG, DANCE AND COMEDY IN A WARM AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.