Fuaigh was shown by National Theatre Scotland as part of its Home Away Festival, alongside a week of performances from Chicago, New Delhi, Brisbane, Dundee, Tomintoul and Glenlivet, Glasgow, Jamaica, the World Wide Web and Rio de Janeiro.
"Fuaigh centres around a traditional Gaelic Ceilidh. Using evocative song and dance, combined with striking visuals and a compelling narrative, the show explores what happens when you leave behind your homeland and sail away to the metropolis. Fuaigh is an exciting new Gaelic theatre experience, promising a unique night at the theatre. Devised by an artistic team including celebrated singer and performer Gillebride McMillan, playwright and performer Rona MacDonald, visual artist and photographer Judith Parrott and director and writer John Binnie".
Fuaigh is performed in Gaelic and English.
In this short section during the performance at Tramway, Glasgow,, the audience are invited to join us at the fire towards the end of the play. They bring with them something they would like to save from the fire, or an acknowledgement of their family line.
Supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. In association with British Council and in partnership with Glasgow Life. With funding from National Theatre Scotland, Creative Scotland, Bord na Gaidhlig, Traditional Arts Fund, Gaelic Books Council, and The Mod.
Review by Tom Chadwick, Chairman of Enterprise Music Scotland:
Fuaigh is a truly excellent show! Rona, Judith, John and Gillebride should be extremely proud of what is in my view a masterpiece. I would give it at least seven stars. The singing was really lovely and the stories and images warm and beautiful. The funeral scene and the Paisley bard trying to burn his work were really emotional, but the warmth that shone brightly through the entire event, the brilliant mixing of your singers with an obviously enthusiastic and encaptured audience during the dancing etc. really made Fuaigh what I guess it actually means. The lovely photography and inspired use of the beautifully smooth stones. The dram at the ceilidh. We really did feel as though we were from South Uist ourselves! You made a big impression on us all which I am sure will live in our memories. You also attracted a very large and one of the most diverse audiences that we have been in and left us all with some Gaelic.
Outstanding!
Thank you very much indeed!