To mark National Volunteer Week this week, the 17-year-old talked to the Sunday National about how much she has gained from volunteering at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh and why others should consider helping their communities. As part of the King’s heritage project, Ruth has been paired with former theatre producer and costume designer Olive McMillen to gather stories from her about her work. These include how 300 people, including a pregnant woman, responded to her advert for people to play nuns in a production of the Sound of Music at the King’s.
“The pregnant woman was a really good singer but Olive told her that if she wanted to be in the show she would have to be at the back of the stage,” said Ruth. READ MORE: Celebrated play about Palestine to make Edinburgh Fringe debut McMillen produced shows at the Kings in the 70s and 80s and still keeps many costumes in her home. “It has been a dream to talk to her as she produced, directed and starred in shows, so she has really done it all,” said Ruth.
“It has been absolutely great. “People talk as if there is some sort of disparity between older people and younger people but this proves there absolutely isn’t. I have completely found a friend with Olive.
“She treats me as an equal and I think that is what people are missing in not going for opportunities to volunteer.” Ruth, who has always had an interest in costumes, now intends to make pencil sketches of some of Olive’s designs for the heritage pr.