Robert McLellan Festival 2007
Background and context
Programme
John Maxwell Geddes' new commission is performed at the Robert McLellan Festival in Arran.
The Robert McLellan Festival takes place from 7 – 22 September on the Isle of Arran. Named in honour of the Scots playwright, poet and short story writer who lived for many years in High Corrie on Arran, the festival features an array of events covering poetry, theatre, live music, exhibitions and films.
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28 January 2007 marked the centenary of Robert McLellan's birth. In honour of this event, The Arran Theatre and Arts Trust, in partnership with McLellan's family, the community of Arran, and North Ayrshire Council have been working together throughout the year to bring the writer's work and influence to a new generation, and to further his hopes and aims of inspiring young Scottish playwrights by sponsoring the McLellan Centenary Play Competition. This award takes its lead from the McLellan Award for Poetry, now in its third year. Readings of the McLellan Play Award will be performed at the festival by Nutshell Theatre Company on 17 and 18 September. |
September also see the publication of several volumes McLellan's works. One of the volumes, 'Linmill Stories', is being published with new illustrations. The other two are of published plays, and of previously unpublished work. This is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The festival programme includes:
The festival closes on 22 September with a premiere of a documentary about Robert McLellan’s life and writings, along with the presentation of the poetry and new play prizes (supported by Paterson Arran).
An art exhibition in the Burnside Art Gallery runs from 8-30 September.
An all-inclusive ticket for festival events in September (excluding the Back of the Moon concert and ceilidh) is available for £20.
Confluens
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This new Scottish Arts Council-supported commission by John Maxwell Geddes will receive its world premiere on 21 September at a Scottish-themed musical concert in Brodick Hall, alongside works by Joel Harding. The performance is supported by Awards for All and is in conjunction with the Isle of Arran Music Society. |
Confluens is a work for violin and piano in seven sections, each based on traditional melodies associated with rivers – three known to Robert Burns (Afton, Doon and Nith) and four Arran burns known to McLellan: North Glen Sannox, Catacol, Glen Rosa and 'Arran Burn' (Corrie) – which represent the source of the poets’ inspiration. Both Burns and McLellan did so much to promote the beauty of the Scots tongue that it seemed appropriate to mingle the rivers of Ayrshire and Dumfries together with the burns of Arran and a homage to both poets.
| For further details about the festival and to book tickets, visit the Robert McLellan Festival website. | |