1 Opera
. French fancies “ ‘ andfnends come to see
the monster PAGE 8
NEWS GOSSIP OPINION
ne of Scotland‘s most spectacular locations is to be celebrated in a unique European theatre
production. Five simultaneous performances of
St K {Ir/u ~- A European Opera (Muc-Yir/la Nun lilm) will take place in France. Belgium. Germany. Austria with a Scottish performance taking place at Studio Alba on Stornoway on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June. The BBC will also broadcast the event via a live webcast.
This international theatre extravaganza. which received the maximum grant of 885.000 euros from the liuropean Commission‘s Culture 2000 fund. represents an important showcase for Gaelic language and culture. liach of the five performances will feature traditional Gaelic singers performing against the backdrop of a dizzying film of the French vertical dance company. Retouramont. performing a dramatic aerial ballet from the Hebridean cliffs. which. at I394 feet. are taller than the limpire State building. The film was shot by Keith Partridge. director of Touching the Void. The five
for the masses
Gaelic culture to be showcased across Europe. Words: Allan Radcliffe
productions will also share a script and libretto by lain Finlay Macleod. though each venue will imbue the material with its own distinct interpretation.
Co-producer Malcolm Maclean. of Proiseact nan Ealan in Scotland says of the project. 'The St Kilt/u event reconnects the ancient Celtic heartlands of Hallstatt in central Europe with the continent‘s extreme outer reaches. It also reminds us that the Celtic languages. such as Gaelic. were once heard all across Europe and retain a fascination for liuropean audiences.~
St Kilda. which lies in the Atlantic. 50 miles due west of the Hebrides. is the only site in the UK to have been twice designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Iiurope's most important seabird colony with more than a million birds. The island was occupied for 3000 years until the final residents were evacuated in l930.
www.stkilda.eu www.9aelic-arts.co.uk
MISTER TRAMP ROCK THE BOAT FOR SHELTER
I Record label Mister Tramp is bringing together an impressive line-up of musicians for a special gig in aid of Shelter Scotland on Saturday 24 March at The Ferry. The cross-genre line-up includes Evan Crichton, The State Broadcasters, Afterchristmas and a special mystery guest, while there will be DJ sets from the likes of Chris Connick from De Rosa (pictured).
Roz Laing of Mister Tramp says, ‘We wanted to put on a night that allowed different bands to play some of the songs that inspired them, songs that they might not normally have a chance to play.’
Tickets priced £5 are available from Tickets Scotland or Avalanche Records, Glasgow. (AR)
Shortlist announced for new Scottish painting ‘ prize 2'
Nine finalists have been selected from 85 entrants to compete for the inaugural Jolomo Lloyds TSB Scotland Awards. The £20,000 prize was set up and financed by popular Scottish artist John Lowrie Morrison to encourage artists to paint the Scottish landscape. The awards are open to painters who have studied fine art in Scotland within the last five years, while self taught artists and those with special needs whose work was approved by an independent referee are also eligible.
The finalists. who range in age from 22-61 and hail from as far afield as Harris and the Borders are: David Cook. Rebecca Firth, Ingrid Fraser. Willie Fulton, Helen Glassford. Jamie Hageman. Anna King, Sian MacQueen and Jamie Primrose. Only Jamie Hageman is self-taught, and seven of the nine attended art colleges in Scotland.
John Lowrie Morrison said, ‘There was extremely lively debate on whittling down the 85 entries to this shortlist of nine. l have no idea how long it is going to take us to come to a decision on a winner and runners-up, but there will be a lot of coffee involved!’
The results will be announced on Thursday 21 June at a presentation dinner at the National Museum of Scotland. (AR)
15—29 Mar 2007 THE LIST 7