Citizens Theatre, Glasgow: Wed 23 – Sat 26 March Macphail Theatre, Ullapool



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Press Release: Tuesday 1 March, 2011
National Theatre of Scotland Gaelic Development programme launches with new play by Iain Finlay Macleod
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh: Thu 10 – Sat 19 March

Citizens Theatre, Glasgow: Wed 23 – Sat 26 March

Macphail Theatre, Ullapool: Wed 23 – Sat 26 March

An Lanntair, Stornoway: Fri 1 April
By Iain Finlay Macleod

Directed by Vicky Featherstone

Designed by Kai Fischer

Sound Design by Rob MacNeacail

Cast: Angus Peter Campbell, Barnaby Power, Frances Grey, John Ramage, Tony Kearney

Somersaults is presented as part of National Theatre of Scotland’s five week Reveal residency at the Traverse Theatre Edinburgh. The performances in Edinburgh are from Thursday 10 until Saturday 19 March and the production then continues to the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, Macphail Theatre, Ullapool and An Lanntair, Stornoway.

This new play by Gaelic playwright Iain Finlay Macleod, which premieres at the Traverse Theatre launches a new development programme for Gaelic artists and work at the National Theatre of Scotland.

The production originated following discussion between writer Iain Finlay Macleod and Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, on the decline of the Gaelic language. Iain was then given a Writers Attachment with the Company in 2009 and was subsequently awarded a play-writing commission which sees this presentation of Somersaults as a platform performance during Reveal.

Cambridge graduate James (Tony Kearney) has it all: wealth, a beautiful wife Alison (Frances Grey), a swanky London flat. But when the creditors move in and his wife moves out, James suddenly finds he’s left with nothing. Nothing but words, and even they are starting to slip away. James’ father Sandy (Angus Peter Campbell) is dying – his last connection to his childhood, his upbringing and the language of his birth, Gaelic. With this link gone, James fears he will simply cease to exist.



Am I sad that my language is dying?
Yes I am
I feel the edges of the light move in and wonder if one day there will only be me, or someone like me, carrying words for the world which no-one else knows.

Forced to confront his past and the conflict of identity within him, James explores the importance of language and how it defines who we are. Questions of identity, belonging and a sense of self are universal, no matter what language you speak.

Presented as a platform performance - a smaller scale production rehearsed over just two weeks enables audiences to share this evolving play and discover how it can further develop.

Iain Finlay Macleod, Writer, said: “Working with National Theatre of Scotland on a play about questions of language and identity has been one of the most interesting, revealing and stretching experiences I have had in theatre.

The support and expertise of National Theatre of Scotland is exactly what Gaelic speaking theatre practitioners need to produce relevant, exciting work.”

As the Company continues to develop it seeks to appoint its first Gaelic Associate Artist. This Associate will work with the National Theatre of Scotland over 12 months to support the Company’s artistic planning, inform its Gaelic development programme and devise new personal artistic projects. Interested parties are encouraged to find out more/ download a Job Pack by visiting: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/jobs
Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director, National Theatre of Scotland, explains the motivation behind the Reveal Season: “It's time to pull back the curtains and invite audiences in to experience some of the work we have been developing at the National Theatre of Scotland. There is much in here about Scotland’s interest with the international world – plays from Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina in the A Play, A Pie and A Pint season as well as the ethical complexity of a person’s right to make decisions for other people explored in Girl X.”

For information about all the activities featured in the Reveal Season click here



Notes to Editors

1.The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. Since its launch in February 2006, the National Theatre of Scotland has been involved in creating over 137 productions in 125 different locations. With no building of its own, the Company takes theatre all over Scotland and beyond, working with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. It takes place in the great buildings of Scotland, but also in site-specific locations, airports and tower blocks, community halls and drill halls, ferries and forests.  The company has performed to almost 600,000 people, across three continents.

2.Reveal Season For information about all the activities featured in the Reveal Season click here

3. The role of the National Theatre of Scotland Gaelic Associate Artist is made possible with the support of Bòrd na Gaidhlig.



Listings Information

Venue, Dates & Times: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

Thu 10 – Sat 19 March at 7pm (not Mon 14)



Ticket Prices: Tue – Thu & Sun £8 (Unemployed £5), Fri & Sat £12 (Unemployed £8)

Online: www.traverse.co.uk

Box Office: 0131 228 1404
Venue, Dates & Times: Citizens Theatre, Circle Studio Wed 23 – Sat 26 March, 7.30pm

Ticket Prices: £12.50 (concessions available)

Online: www.citz.co.uk

Box Office: 0141 429 0022
Venue, Date & Time: Macphail Theatre, Ullapool Wed 30 March 7.30pm

Ticket prices: £7/£5

Online: www.thebooth.co.uk

Box Office: 01854 613336
Venue, Date & Time: An Lanntair, Stornoway Fri 1 April 8.00pm

Ticket prices: £10/£9/£8

Online: www.lanntair.com

Box Office: 01851 708 480
For further press information, interviews, footage, press tickets please contact Liz Smith (contact details below)
Press contact

Liz Smith – Press Office Somersaults

Email: daisy.ben@live.co.uk Telephone: 0141 423 4373 Mobile: 07971 417210
Press Images

Press images will be available for download from www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/press



Please contact the press office for a password
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