Archives for July 2011

Left to right: Aly Macrae, Madeleine Worrall, Andrew Clark, David McKay (Photo: Drew Farrell)

Gordon & MacPhail, owners of Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is sponsoring the National Theatre of Scotland’s successful production The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, in the company’s first major venture into the arts.

The new partnership has been successful in securing a Scottish Government Arts & Business New Arts Grant, designed to build private sector sponsorship of the arts, and has made it possible for Benromach to sponsor the show for its entire six week run.

(Photo: Drew Farrell)

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart takes theatre into pubs and other unlikely venues, where stories are told, re-told, sung and passed on. It’s an evening of supernatural storytelling, music and theatre inspired by the Border Ballads, Robert Burns and the poems of Robert Service. The show opens at Òran Mór in Glasgow on 21 July 2011 before transferring to Ghillie Dhu for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 2 – 27 August 2011.

Commenting on the sponsorship, David Urquhart Joint Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, owners of the Benromach Distillery in Forres, said:

“The National Theatre of Scotland is the perfect partner for Benromach. It is a pleasure to be associated with such an individual and artistic performance, which we feel reflects many of the distinctive qualities of the various expressions of our malt whisky. We look forward to the continued success of The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart and to being able to share the secret of Benromach with the audience.”

In atmospheric pubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh audiences can look forward to an afternoon of anarchic theatre, haunting folk music, wild karaoke and strange goings-on. Watching with a refreshment to hand is recommended.

The tale of Prudencia Hart, an uptight academic, follows her as she sets off to attend a conference one wintery morning in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. As the snow begins to fall, little does she know who or what awaits her there. Her wild journey through the night takes her into and out of different supernatural and natural realms looking for folk songs.

Elly Rothnie, Development Director, National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to welcome Benromach on board as sponsors. She said:

“2011 is a milestone year for us as we celebrate five years of being Scotland’s national theatre and the partnership with Benromach is a wonderful birthday present.
“The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart is a terrific show that showcases some of Scotland’s finest contemporary artistic talent in the unique atmosphere of traditional Scottish pubs and we know it will provide a fantastic platform for the Benromach brand.”

Those attending the performance will be invited to sample Benromach 10 Years Old, Benromach Organic or Benromach Peat Smoke at the bar after the performance and will also receive a miniature of Benromach Traditional to take away.

About Benromach
Located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres, the Benromach Distillery is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets. From Speyside’s smallest whisky distillery emerged a single malt with distinctive qualities reflecting its exclusive hand-made credentials as well as encapsulating the self-reliance, sophistication and modern values of Scotland today.

Benromach Origins
A series of special bottlings crafted to highlight how small changes in the art of whisky-making can help to shape the character of the final single malt.
Please visit www.benromach.com for details.

Benromach can be bought from The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt

About the National Theatre of Scotland
The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating 137 update productions in 125 update different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests. The company has performed to almost 600,000 people, across three continents. www.nationaltheatrescotland.com