MUSIC by Gaelic band WHYTE features in a new show intended to give “voice to the frustrations of the next generation who care deeply about the crisis facing their land and language”.
Entitled MAIM, a Gaelic word meaning panic and alarm, the production is a collaboration between Theatre Gu Leor, choreographer Jessica Kennedy, visuals designer Lewis Den Hertog and WHYTE, a duo acclaimed for their contemporary spin on traditional songs. Research into the disappearance of Gaelic place names by the band’s Alasdair C Whyte (left) underpins the show’s mix of live music, movement, spoken word and imagery.
Currently a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, the Mull-born singer-songwriter is also a member of the cast of the show, which premieres on Tuesday at Glasgow’s Tron before touring to nine cities and towns across Scotland. Whyte’s work draws parallel links between the disappearance of the Gaelic
in rural heartlands and a disconnection with the environment at a time when climate change threatens to drown the land and language.
READ MORE: Sian’s debut album rekindles work of women from Gaelic poetry
Writing for Bella Caledonia last month, Whyte described MAIM as “a call to action to make sure children across Scotland have every opportunity to learn about the depth and wealth of Gaelic culture in the place they call home. It is a call to place more emphasis on ionad-eòlas: local studies”.
Whyte continued: “Teaching of the Gaelic language cannot exist in isolation from its songs, stories and place names. Our survival no longer depends on living off the produce of local land, as it once did, but, intellectually, we have an opportunity to feed off the land and the stories it holds.
“This should go hand in hand with learning to live more sustainably by returning to local produce.”
March 10 to 14, Tron Theatre, Glasgow, 8pm, Mar 14 mat 2.45pm, £11, £8.50 concs. Tel: 0141 552 4267. www.tron.co.uk; Mar 17 and 18 Traverse, Edinburgh; Mar 19 Eden Court, Inverness; Mar 20 Lemon Tree, Aberdeen; Mar 21 SEALL, Sleat; Mar 24 An Lanntair, Stornoway; Mar 25 Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula; Mar 26 Castlebay School, Barra; Mar 27 Corran Halls, Oban; Mar 28 Mull Theatre, Tobermory. www.theatreguleor.com/-maim, www.whytenoise.co.uk
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