AN acclaimed Gaelic World War One theatre production, that portrays the grief and guilt of a headmaster who encouraged pupils to fight in the conflict, is to tour across Scotland for the first time in March.
Says a spokesperson: “Sequamur – created by Isle of Lewis writer, Donald S. Murray – tells the poignant story of William J. Gibson, the headmaster of the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway between 1894 and 1925.
“An enlightened and charismatic teacher, Gibson believed in the power of progress through education. He genuinely believed that service in WWI would bring a new enlightened age to Britain – but endured personal turmoil following the death of 148 of his own pupils.”
Sequamur (Latin for ‘let us follow’), will tour six locations across Scotland – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oban, Fort George Chapel, Skye and Aberdeen – with 14 performances planned. The play is being staged by Pròiseact nan Ealan (PNE) | The Gaelic Arts Agency, with significant support from Creative Scotland. Other funders include Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highland Council.
The 60-minute play is performed in Gaelic but is designed to be fully assessable to all, with live simultaneous translation via headphones for people who do not speak Gaelic. Afternoon workshops and performances suitable for schools in each region will also be provided.
Muriel Ann Macleod, producer of Sequamur, said: “There is great anticipation ahead of the Sequamur tour following the wonderful reception the play received when it was performed at An Lanntair in Lewis last year.
“The writer, Donald S. Murray, has created an exceptional script that explores not just the events involving William Gibson, his pupils and World War I, but themes surrounding charismatic leaders who lead young people to war both then and in the present day.”
Donald S. Murray said: “William Gibson genuinely believed that war service would be a positive for both the individual and would aid advancements in society more generally, but we witness how unprepared the novice British army recruits were for the horrors of industrialised warfare. Gibson’s pupils write back to tell him about the reality of what they were experiencing so that he would understand, and we see the devastating effect it had on Gibson himself as he was consumed with guilt.”
The performances utilise many historical artefacts from the time – including the letters sent to William Gibson – and there are also multimedia aspects including relevant clips and video from World War I.
Muriel Ann continued: “The use of real World War I footage and photography, text from the young soldiers’ actual letters to Gibson, the recollections of how Gibson was and his ability to inspire and lead others, enables a performance that is thought provoking, dramatic and powerfully emotive.”
Erica Morrison, chief executive of Pròiseact nan Ealan, said: “This unique story has a universal resonance in other parts of Britain where young men went to war. It was important for us that the production directly related to each of the six communities it will visit by linking in advance of the performance with World War I historians in each region. The historians are being asked to research records of the school leavers who died in WWI in that area. A localised commemorative roll of honour drawing on this factual material will be featured in the multimedia commission and will be unique to each place the play is presented.
“Other community engagement activities will include workshops in Gaelic or English focusing on new writing and performance for communities and senior secondary schools. After show discussions will also follow some evening performance where audience members can meet the cast and writers and discuss aspects and issues presented in the show.
“We were delighted with the reception Sequamur received in Lewis last year and this positive reaction has assisted us with our plans to tour with the production. We are immensely grateful to Creative Scotland, as well as Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Scottish Government, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highland Council, for their support to allow Sequamur to be seen by audiences across Scotland.”
ENDS
For further information contact Gary McQueen at Media House on 0141 220 6040 / gary@mediahouse.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
| Tour schedule | |
| Date | Venue |
| Thursday 5th March | Cottiers Theatre Glasgow |
| Friday 6th March(Two performances) | Cottiers Theatre Glasgow |
| Tuesday 10th March | Summerhall, Edinburgh |
| Wednesday 11th March | Corran Halls Oban |
| Friday 13th March(Two performances) | Fort George Chapel |
| Saturday 14th March | Fort George Chapel |
| Tuesday 17th March(Two performances) | Aros Centre, Skye |
| Wednesday 18th March | Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye |
| Friday 20th March(Two performances) | The Sanctuary, Queens Cross Church, Aberdeen |
| Artists (Hometown in brackets) | |
| Writer | Donald S Murray (Shetland) with Dramaturg support from Peter Arnott (Glasgow) |
| Director | Iain Macrae (Glasgow) with mentor support from Simon Sharkey (National Theatre of Scotland, Glasgow) |
| Actors | David Walker (Glasgow) will play William J Gibson supported by Iain Beggs (Barra), Sean Macleod (Stornoway) and Donna Morrison (Stornoway), Angus Peter Campbell (Kyle of Lochalsh) |
| New music | Andrew Yearly (Lewis) |
| Technical | Mick Andrew (Glasgow) |
| Production | Muriel Ann Macleod (Lewis) |
About Pròiseact nan Ealan
Pròiseact nan Ealan (PNE), The Gaelic Arts Agency, was established in 1996 as a Company limited by guarantee and a registered Charity. PNE is the lead strategic body in Gaelic Arts; it has a dual role as a Gaelic arts production company and networking infrastructure body and has a strong track record in delivering successful, high quality, and award winning arts projects. PNE is working nationally and internationally across diverse art forms on projects that have multiple funders and are at varying stages of development.
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