Top impressionist to take centre stage at Ayrshire book festival

This year’s Boswell Book Festival will conclude on Sunday, May 10 with a star-studded array of female politicians, presenters and celebrities. The line-up will include Kirsty Wark, Theresa May, Hillary Clinton and a saucy soupson of Nigella Lawson – all brought to the stage by master mimicrist Jan Ravens. Acclaimed impressionist Jan will be bringing her razor-sharp impressions and satire known to the millions of listeners of Radio 4’s Dead Ringers to Dumfries House for an evening that will also cover her career from the first female president of the renowned Cambridge Footlights to starring in many radio and stage productions. Talking of famous voices one of the first events of the festival, on Friday, May 8 will see one of the most famous Scottish sports presenters, Dougie Donnelly, take to the stage.

His memoir, Recorded Highlights – My Life In Sport covers his time at Grandstand (he was the first Scot to present this programme), Sportscene, the Olympics, as well as international rugby matches and, of course, golf. Glasgow-born Dougie has many happy memories of childhood summers spent near Culzean Castle and still travels the world commentating on sport. Asked about the best moment in his career he replied: “It’s hard to pick a favourite but the one that sticks out was the 1999 Open. “In all my years presenting golf, I wanted to see a Scot win on Scottish soil. I thought it might be ‘Monty’ or my great friend, Sam Torrance.

But it turned out to be Paul Lawrie. A great day.” And he promises a great evening at the book festival. Many Ayrshire residents won’t want to miss the ‘Bards Apart’ event on Saturday, May 9 which casts new light on the genius of Robert Burns and offers fresh insight into his universal popularity. This magical performance of history, poetry, music and song connects Burns across geography and time to the national bard of ancient Iran, Hafez Shiraz with startling results.

It also reminds us of our common humanity transcending national barriers and why two such great poets are still celebrated in their respective lands. If you thought you knew everything about Robert Burns– think again! For full festival details go to www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk