The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani, this week visited a new initiative aimed at offering young Gaelic speakers an opportunity to learn professional theatre skills.
The Sgoil Shamhraidh Dhràma is being run by Fèisean nan Gàidheal with support from Eden Court Theatre and Theatre Hebrides. While visiting the Sgoil, which is taking place in Portree until 11 July, the Minister announced a funding boost for another Fèisean nan Gàidheal drama initiative, Meanbh-chuileag. An additional £25,000 is to be made available by the Scottish Government to assist the work of the group in introducing Gaelic language and culture to schools throughout Scotland.
20 young Gaelic-speaking actors are attending the Sgoil, from almost every corner of Scotland. The participants are receiving training in a wide range of skills from drama tutors who are experts in their respective fields.
The Sgoil is under the artistic direction of Dennis Cahill, from the Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary, Canada, and among the other tutors are Ruairidh Nicolson, Catrìona Lexy Campbell and Gilleasbuig Ferguson. Classes include voice skills, movement, acting and creative skills, and a technical stream, dealing with stage management, lighting and sound is running concurrently with the drama side.
Dougie Beck, the coordinator of the Sgoil, hopes that the Sgoil will encourage both drama skills and a desire to progress with drama to higher levels: "Since the Uist drama schools of the 80s and 90s young people with Gaelic haven't had many opportunities to receive drama training at this kind of level. The Uist projects, under the direction of Pròiseact nan Ealan, were very successful and the people who were involved in them are still very much a part of the Gaelic drama and media scene. This is an exciting time for Gaelic drama – the new digital channel is on the horizon and there is no doubt that there will be more and more job opportunities for young Gaelic-speaking actors, and we want them to be ready to grab any opportunity that comes their way."
The Sgoil has received generous funding, meaning that participants are not required to contribute anything towards costs. Financial support has been received from Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Comunn na Gàidhlig, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Highland Council and the Scottish Arts Council, with additional support from Eden Court Theatre.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal Chief Executive, Arthur Cormack, commented: “We are very excited to have been able to get the Gaelic Drama Summer School up and running again. We have become more and more involved in the development of drama which is an important artform in terms of the use of the Gaelic language. Such activity is obviously complementary to the core work we do of supporting Gaelic music Fèisean and the musical education work we do in schools. The additional funding from the Scottish Government for Meanbh-Chuileag will allow us to expand the drama work we have been able to do in schools which should be an essential component of Gaelic-medium education and also an introduction to the language for pupils in non-Gaelic schools.”
Everyone at the Sgoil is working towards a night of drama at 7.30pm on Thursday 10 July in Àros, Portree, which will be open to the public. More information can be found at www.feisean.org and tickets for the event at Àros can be bought by calling 01478 613649.