“Celebrating Simon” is open to all and features an impressive line up including Jenna Cummings, Christine Primrose, Arthur Cormack, Ishbel MacAskill, Alyth MacCormack, Carina Macleod, Davy Walker, Rona Lightfoot and Angus Peter Campbell. But the event is more than just a ceilidh - it marks the beginning of Simon’s legacy, the Simon Mackenzie Trust.
Born and bred in Harris, Simon went on to have a successful and varied career as an actor, broadcaster, singer, and playwright. He is known for his theatre work with the Young Vic Theatre Company, 7:84 and Drama na h-Alba and for his television appearances including his role as college principal in the Gaelic soap Machair. In recent years he made his mark as Director of Tosg, the national Gaelic Theatre Company. His final showcase was St Kilda: A European Opera, which he had been involved in for over four years, before the final performances in June 2007.
As an actor, storyteller and MC Simon was legendary, but he will be remembered for more than his own performances. Simon’s involvement in, and support for, youth theatre was of huge importance and he spent years touring schools in Scotland and Ireland, and working with young people through Gaelic drama with Tosg, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and the Mod amongst other projects. In 1989, Simon became Director of Ordag Sgeulbag, the first Gaelic theatre-in-education company, created by Pròiseact nan Ealan. Again with Pròiseact nan Ealan, Simon went on to direct the Gaelic summer school Drama na h-Oigridh, between 1990 and 1997.
The Simon Mackenzie Trust will be set up to honour and continue this work. It will support the artistic ambitions of talented young Gaelic speakers and help develop their confidence and skills. “Celebrating Simon” aims to raise funds for the Simon Mackenzie Trust, and organisers are indebted to artistes who are paying without fee. The evening is able to go ahead with generous financial support from Pròiseact nan Ealan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, MG ALBA, Comunn na Gàidhlig, An Comunn Gàidhealach, Eaglais Easbuigeach, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Highlands and Islands Theatre Network.
Celebrating Simon will take place on 24th October, 7:30pm at Eden Court. Tickets are available from Eden Court Box Office on 01463 234 234 and cost £20 (the cost of the ticket will be donated to the Simon Mackenzie Trust). Any donations can be made to: Simon Mackenzie Trust, Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh Stockbridge, Account number: 00238392, Sort Code: 832002
Calum Maclean, Director of Pròiseact nan Ealan, said: "Simon was a gifted artist and a passionate Gael before Gaelic was 'either fashionable or profitable'. His contribution to his language and his culture was truly exceptional and touched the lives of thousands of people. Simon was as comfortable in the glitzy world of the classical arts and show business as he was in Tarbert Village Hall or at the Barra Games and he gave the same commitment to community drama, the Fèis movement, schools work and youth theatre as he did to his starring roles in film and television and on the international stage.
We worked together for 25 years on multiple productions and projects - from the Lionacleit youth theatre to the St Kilda Opera - and Pròiseact Nan Ealan owes him a debt of gratitude for the creativity, professionalism, humour and humanity that he brought to everything we did. Simon's night in Eden Court is a small tribute to a dear friend and a great Gael. All proceeds will add to his legacy by nurturing new Gaelic talent for the future."
Rosemary Ward, Acting Chief Executive at Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “The Bòrd is proud to be supporting this important celebration of the life of Simon Mackenzie. Simon made a huge contribution to the Gaelic language and culture throughout his life and despite his loss being deeply felt, his contribution will reverberate for a long time to come.
“Gaelic needs people like Simon to take up his legacy and keep promoting and innovating with the language and culture. I hope this event will inspire others to take up his baton and work to help grow Gaelic for future generations.”
Arthur Cormack, Interim Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Director of Fèisean na Gàidheal will performing on the night. He said: “It is an honour to be asked to take part in a concert to celebrate the life and achievements of Simon Mackenzie. Simon did so much good in his lifetime to promote Gaelic arts, particularly drama, but he was no mean singer, a great fear an taighe and had a keen interest and understanding of all the arts. He did so much to promote Gaelic within the Fèisean, community drama, professional drama and television and has left a legacy in many of the young actors who benefited from his writing and acting skills.”
Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: ‘Sìm was one of the biggest names in Gaelic arts and television and it is entirely appropriate that a Trust is being set up in his name. We welcome this initiative both as a remembrance of Sìm and a legacy for young Gaels”.
Archie Maclean, Chief Executive of Comunn na Gaidhlig (CnaG) said, “CnaG is delighted to support this event and to assist in launching the Simon Mackenzie Trust, which will help young Gaelic-speaking people develop their artistic skills and will ultimately, hopefully, produce artistes of Simon’s quality. Simon achieved so much in his life and did so much to encourage and support young people entering the arts, that it is only fitting that this Trust be established in memory of his work. Simon was a wonderful ambassador for the Gaelic language and culture and we believe that the best way to acknowledge his work is to build on the foundations already put in place by him. We believe that the Trust will help greatly with these aims.”