Actors back Luminate festival as countdown begins

Music hall legend Johnny Beattie and River City's Libby McCarthur have backed Luminate; Scotland's new creative ageing festival, as the countdown begins to October's programme.   
As festival highlights were revealed, Mr Beattie said: "I think this festival could be very effective.  There are a lot of people that want to get invovled in things, not only the theatre, but don't know how to get involved, and I think this might help them."
The arts festival, which celebrates our creative lives as we age, will feature dance, drama and music performances, film screenings, literary events and exhibitions. Many events are free or discounted, and opportunities are offered for people to become involved as participants as well as audience members.  Highlights of the month long programme commencing 1st October include: 

a six strong 70+ Finnish ladies rock band at Howden Park Centre in Livingston
actor Edith MacArthur's star turn in a reading of Sylvia's Dow's poignant radio drama It's Only Words at Perth Theatre
an afternoon in Brechin where children, parents and grandparents are brought together to share stories and memories over tea and cake
a new piece for twelve male dancers by choreographer Andy Howitt in which he explores what the ageing body brings to dance
a pop up Craft Café in a local Age Scotland shop
and Libby McArthur's take on turning 50 in the premiere of The F Word at Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock.
Festival director Anne Gallacher said: "There is already a wide variety of creative work with and for older people taking place across Scotland, and Luminate looks to celebrate and build on this."
Luminate is the initiative of a partnership comprising Age Scotland, Creative Scotland and Baring Foundation.  Festival participants range from nine years old to 90, and feature professional and non-professional artists alike.  Debates and discussions will explore current thinking on issues surrounding the role of creativity in our lives as we age.  Full programme details be available shortly on the Luminate website.