Robert Rendall explored the essence of Orkney life in his poems with the same questing approach that he took to his studies of the Orkney shore. For this year’s St Magnus Festival’s Johnsmas Foy, Issy Grieve and Greer Norquoy wrote and produced a multi-media event about his life and his contribution to Orkney. They brought in Graham Garson to read his work, Barbara Johnston to tell the story, and the writers in Orkney Voices to create a present-day response to his poetry. Ingrid Grieve (Toumal Art Studio) painted live on stage, and a background of video and music recordings and visual images was brought together and managed by Mike Partridge.

There was a glowing response and now the group are keen to bring it to Birsay, to the church just above the shore where he spent some of his happiest hours. It is, they say – “A glimpse into the inspiration of the works of Robert Rendall.”

Admission by donation.  Palace Stores will stay open till 9 pm so that you can take away tea, coffee, or a cake before or after.