Muriel Battison’s 67 Years at the Theatre in the Hills
“I’ve never missed a day, never let anybody down, in all my time.”
84-year-old Muriel Battison is a living legend well known to those who’ve frequented Pitlochry Festival Theatre over the decades.
When Muriel first started working at Pitlochry Festival Theatre in 1957, she was 17. “To get a job at the Theatre, you were the kingpin.” Starting in the Theatre’s early days, she worked in the shop selling books, postcards, and sweets and remembers the audiences, “Everybody came dressed. They came in their gloves and hats, and it was a big night out.”
Muriel witnessed the Theatre’s move from a marquee to its permanent home in Port-na-Craig, the addition of the Explorers Garden, the building of the Studio, the tenures of numerous artistic directors, countless actors taking the stage, along with the excitement of royal visits from the Queen Mother and King Charles.
And although the Theatre has transformed dramatically, she says some things haven’t changed: “Back then, it was just like it is now, you all help one another when your duty is done.”
Now, as she gets set to celebrate her 85th birthday, Muriel is preparing to retire at the end of the festive production of The Sound of Music – a fitting finale to an extraordinary theatrical journey. “It’s been my life being involved.” Muriel says simply, leaving a legacy of dedication and warmth, and capturing the essence of her remarkable 67-year commitment to Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
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