Bute Festival

Beatties to Boost Bute's First Music and Arts Festival 08/07/2003. Both Maureen and Dad, Johnny Beattie, took to the boards in Rothesay in support of the Isle of Bute's first music and arts festival during Glasgow Fair Weekend, Organised by ButeLive, a company limited by guarantee and recognised as a Scottish Charity, Maureen and Johnnie, both Patrons, are part of an impressive programme of music, theatre, comedy and dance which will appeal to wide tastes and age groups. Johnny Beattie performed his famous one man show 'From Broadway to Cowdenbeath' on the Saturday night which has been acclaimed wherever this King of parody and patter has performed it. For 90 minutes he reminisces on the old days, the famous names and faces he has loved working with over half a century. Many are no longer with us. The great, late Jimmy Logan, Jack Milroy, Chic Murray and Robert Wilson. He describes the early days at the Palladium, Edinburgh, Queen's Glasgow, Gaiety, Ayr, Winter Gardens, Rothesay and stories of cupboard dressing rooms with a tap out the back to wash off the makeup at the end of the show. Maureen Beattie teamed up with John Stahl on the Sunday afternoon to perform a revue, 'The North British Man's Guide to the Arts' by the late W Gordon Smith. The author had a sharp wit and perception which he lavished on his work. He described this revue as, "an askance look at ourselves and our culture." The revue has been performed at the Edinburgh and other festivals in the past to huge acclaim in the press who have described variously as "more Scottish than the thistle, and just as prickly in places", "fast-firing anecdotes, song, verse-no aspect of Scotland and Scottishness is spared", "amusing, endearing, sometimes touching and often hilarious", "hilarious celebration of Scotland-warts and all" and "at least a laugh a minute". Maureen Beattie, who is currently performing at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon, said, "I am delighted to be able to support and assist this first music and arts festival on Bute. It is wonderful that they are not just including music, but are aspiring to a festival which offers a wider appreciation of the arts. I look forward to this being the start of something which will grow and prosper in years to come. Details of this years Butelive Festival shall appear here soon. ************************ ButeLive Music and Arts Festival took place on Sunday 16th July 2006. See ButeLive 2006 page for full details. Maureen Beattie and friends performed 'When Eve Ate the Apple' A scrumptious romp through a literary menu of wit and wisdom featuring Duncan Duff and Diana Weston. ************************ ButeLive Music and Arts Festival on Sunday 17th July 2005. 12.30-2pm Rothesay Pavilion "TELL ME THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE" THEY'LL MAKE US LAUGH, THEY'LL MAKE US CRY! Starring Maureen Beattie, Diana Weston, Duncan Duff, Hugh Sachs (of Benidorm fame)