FRESH from a recent 1,500-mile, seven-week concert tour of England towing his entire stage show on a bicycle, Richard Durrant now has his sights set on playing Peebles as part of his new Guitar Whisperer show.

It’s an impressive display of stamina from a musician recognised not only as one of the outstanding guitarists of his generation, but also one of the least conventional.

Playing standing up and barefoot, Durrant considers himself more concert guitarist than classical guitarist – with a sound that is richly romantic, truly virtuosic and crosses all musical boundaries. Following a high-achieving early career in which he pursued diverse interests in electro/acoustic music, improvisation and multi-media, Durrant has spent the past seven years concentrating exclusively on touring as a soloist.

During this time, he has won a devoted audience, attracted by his easy-going manner, innovative presentation and eclectic choice of music. Someone who is as likely to play to a large audience in a rock venue as appear as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Durrant is a musician who tends to keep his audiences guessing.

And The Guitar Whisperer show is no exception. Against a backdrop of animated film and projected artwork, the show sees Durrant create a very special connection with his audience. Ranging widely in scope and style, the programme includes Bach, Debussy, Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, plus some of Durrant’s own compositions such as his Cycling Music (for guitar, sequencers and bicycles).

A live performance that reveals exceptional ability, innovative arrangements and plenty of humour, Durrant puts on quite a show.

Richard Durrant plays the Eastgate Theatre in Peebles on Saturday, July 18, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14, available now from Box Office on 01721 725777, or online at www.eastgatearts.com