´óÏó´«Ã½

Sounds like a spot of Whisky Galore could be just the thing to lift spirits at Pitlochry Theatre.

Several years ago, the theatre was one of a number of arts organisations told by the Scottish Arts Council that it couldn't rely on Foundation funding. Instead it had to seek funding on a project-by-project basis.

But rather than withdrawing quietly, the theatre seems to have become even more ambitious.

On Friday it opened one of its largest productions to date - and the first musical since Theatre was set up in 1951.

Whisky Galore, which is firmly based on the Compton MacKenzie book and not the Ealing film - was first staged in a much smaller version at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2006 but this show features a cast of 14 who have to sing, dance and play everything from bagpipes to tin whistles.

Director Ken Alexander admits it was one of the hardest productions they've ever had to cast since being a rep company, actors also have to go on and appear in the season's other five plays.

On top of that, musicals are more expensive to stage but the company seems confident this will be the mainstay of the summer season, and may even have life beyond.

But the expansion isn't just onstage. Those who've had a peek behind the scenes will know Pitlochry has one of the hardest working back stage crews in Scottish theatre.

They're going to be even busier now that the production facilities have been expanded.

The theatre has raised £1.25m in a hugely successful fund-raising campaign to buy the old Hydro Board headquarters on the neighbouring Port-na-Craig House estate.

As well as providing much needed new rehearsal space, the massive Tank Room is now being developed into new production space for the increased demand for sets from other companies.

Pitlochry is quick to point out that they have historically received the lowest level of public investment in Scottish theatre so they've always had to generate their own income.

But in the current climate, it's even more admirable.

It already earns around three quarters of its annual income from Box Office, catering and retail.

It expects the new facilities within five years to be bringing in a further £100,000 a year.

There's an old tradition at Pitlochry Theatre that audiences applaud the set and scenery at the start of every show.

This year, it seems there's a whole lot of people behind the scenes who deserve that applause.