Return of the Wicker Man

Newton Stewart will be the focus of a special 50th Anniversary showing of the cult folk horror film the ‘Wicker Man,’ on Sunday 30th April starting at 7pm.

Our wonderful cinema, which hosted the original premiere of the film back in the early 1970’s, will have the World premiere of the restoration cut of the film. This will be a chance for local people, who may have acted as extras on the film, know a friend or relative who was involved or remember the cast in the town, to re-visit their memories.

The film will be shown along with an exclusive preview of the documentary ‘Return to Summerisle’ – made on location here by Irish film maker Fergal O’Riordan. Some of you may have seen or spoken to Fergal when he was filming here last year. He visited and filmed in Newton Stewart museum and many other local locations.

The films will be followed by a live Q and A session with Olivier award winning Scottish actress Lesley Mackie, who played Daisy in the film and sings on the original soundtrack album. She will be joined by film director Justin Hardy and his brother Dominic, sons of ’Wicker Man’ director Robin Hardy. There may be other surprises on the night!

I’m sure Newton Stewart will welcome the fans who will be attending this and other events over that weekend. Well done to our cinema who have been able to secure this premiere. Fergal will be there doing some more filming for his documentary and the BBC will also be present. You may get captured on film!

Book your tickets and come along and support your local cinema and re-live the time when Newton Stewart was the movie capital of Galloway!

On Monday 1st May, come and join in with the burning of the Wicker Man. Local Isle of Whithorn based artist Amanda Sunderland and her partner Andy Pearson, have been busy building a new Wicker Man which will be burnt on the cliffs at the Burrowhead holiday village, Isle of Whithorn. People will start gathering at 7pm for the burning of the Wicker Man around 8pm. Come and sing as he burns! Afterwards, from 9pm, there will be music in the bar at the holiday village from Alex and Joel Morris of the band ‘Candidate.’ They will be playing songs live from their Wicker Man inspired album – Nuada.