Happy Hour theatre bring Langholm writer home

Jul 16 2010 by Sara Bain, Dumfries Standard Friday

THE works of a Langholm writer have returned to their roots with a summer tour of the region.

Tonight and over next week, Happy Hour Theatre Company is presenting Ruth E Cockburn’s Holding.

Performances have already taken place in Wigtown and Lockerbie and the tour continues tonight at The Village Hall in Canonbie before going on to the Brigend Theatre, Dumfries, on Tuesday; the RFT Hall, Hightae, on Wednesday; and finishing at The Old School, Eskdalemuir, on Friday.

This adult comedy, set in a call centre, reveals that there is more to life than schedules, statistics and promotion.

Langholm based writer, Ruth E Cockburn began her career as an actor but soon realised writing was more her cup of tea.

She does however perform her own material in stand-up comedy in venues throughout the UK. She wrote her first play Finding Scooby Doo when still at university which she followed with Why Won't You? for the Lost Theatre Company in London.

She wrote and performed Saturday Boy in venues as diverse as Gilnockie Hall and the Edinburgh and Buxton Fringes.

The play has also been performed at The Short and Sweet Festival in Sydney and the rights have been bought by the BBC with a view to future screening.

The Happy Hour Theatre Company was delighted and excited to premiere Holding, Ruth's first full-length play, at the Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, in April.

The company, comprising Allison Rowe, Rob Graham, Jenny Pike and Bob McLure, has become very popular with Langholm audiences over the past two or three years and audience numbers for this production proved this with around 200 filling the auditorium.