For two generations of viewers it was ‘chust sublime”. The life and times of Para Handy, master mariner and skipper of the legendary puffer The Vital Spark, began as a black and white TV series over half a century ago with a stellar cast of Roddy McMillan, Duncan MacRae, John Grieve and Angus Lennie. A second series, in colour this time, was made with Roddy, John, Walter Carr and Alex McAvoy.
And Para, Dougie, Sunny Jim and The Tar were brought alive yet again in the 1990’s with a new line up of Gregor Fisher, Rikki Fulton, Sean Scanlon and Andrew Fairlie.
Based on the books by Neil Munro - highland humour, ever dafter exploits, and sheer good acting made these episodes into TV classics. This year’s Sea Change festival round in Cove Burgh Hall, is screening 2 of them on the opening night – one with Roddy on the bridge, and one with Gregor.
In between there’s cabaret from favourite chanteuse and the night’s MC, Joyce Falconer who’s got her sea shanties at the ready, plus a suitably maritime supper snack. The organisers are hoping the audience too might don something with a nautical twist for the occasion. Personally my gold braided naval bunnet has already been in the wash. (Cove Burgh Hall, Friday 23rd 7pm for 7.30).
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