The sound of Robert Burns the Musical filled the hills around Aviemore as preparations got underway for the Highland premiere of Robert Burns the Musical at Macdonald Aviemore Resort.
Cast members from Rock Academy Performing arts got their first experience of the stage in the 650 seater Auditorium where they will stage a new version of the acclaimed celebration of the bard’s life and work on January 30.
The resort will also be hosting a Burns Supper as part of the evening to coincide with similar dinners taking place at the Macdonald’s chain of hotels cross the UK.
The Aviemore event will also kick off a year of celebrations to mark the half centenary of the world famous resort which was originally opened in December 1966, and recently underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment.
Jess Atkinson, Macdonald Aviemore Resorts director of sales explained: “ This year Aviemore celebrates the half centenary of its world famous centre. We at Macdonald's Aviemore resort are delighted to be starting a year of celebrations with the Highland premiere of Robert Burns the Musical in our newly refurbished multi-million pound facilities.
“We are bringing together these two Scottish icons - Burns and Aviemore - to showcase what is best in our culture, our scenery and facilities with the completion of our £7million investment in the resort. We very much look forward to sharing these with our local community and guests, both at the Burns evening and events throughout the year.”
Robert Burns the Musical was originally the brainchild of Hollywood Celebrity David Gest inspired by the interest of his friend pop legend Michael Jackson in the bard’s work.
It has since been developed and produced by Tish Tindall of Rock Academy Productions who unveiled the musical last year in Aberdeen but this week confirmed she has added a new aspect to the production.
She said today: “We are absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the musical which has proved so popular with audiences in the past, in the terrific surroundings of Macdonald's Aviemore Resort.
"I’ve also added a new, and so far secret, dimension to the show which was launched in Aberdeen last year which this audience will be the first to see.”
The hotel is offering a variety of packages for the evening ranging from for the musical itself to supper and the theatre or packages including an overnight stay at one of the resort’s four star hotels.
Details are available online.