RICHARD FINDLAY is the chairman of the new National Theatre of Scotland, and he is on a mission to hear your views on where the infant organisation needs to go. On the eve of the first of his open sessions in the Highlands and Islands, he tells KENNY MATHIESON why he is coming here.

DAVE ANDERSON tells Kenny Mathieson how Hoagy Carmichael’s autobiography provided the inspiration for his latest one-man touring show dedicated to the great American songwriter.

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Wednesday 31 March 2004

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 18 March 2004 and then touring

Paisley Arts Centre, on tour until April 2004

Venue profile: An Lanntair, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Dogstar Theatre Company, Ullapool Village Hall, 21 February 2004 then touring

Dundee Rep Theatre, 10 February 2004 then touring

Dundee Rep Theatre, then touring 2004

The Arts Journal interviews writer and painter, JOHN BYRNE