ANGUS MCPHEE - Weaver of Grass


ANGUS MCPHEE or MACPHEE was a crofter from Uist who spent almost 50 years in a Highland psychiatric hospital. During this time he chose not to speak - instead he wove a series of incredible costumes out of grass. These he hung on trees in the hospital grounds.

This blog follows the progress of HORSE + BAMBOO THEATRE as they develop and tour a show about Angus....

Sunday 10 February 2013

Looping and Linking


Looping and Linking is a community project by Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery. Two of my favourite places. The project is described in the brochure as focusing "upon men's wellbeing and draws inspiration from the life and work of Angus MacPhee"

It goes on to explain how H+B commissioned Joanne B Kaar to produce copies of Angus' woven pieces to be used in our 'Angus - Weaver of Grass' production. The production was shown at Central Manchester University Hospital and this inspired a community group 'Out in the City' to work with Joanne on their own weavings. The work produced is now on display outside the Museum (above) and at the Whitworth Gallery, with weavings by Joanne.   





Today Jonny Quick and I, alongside artist Lucy Burscough and poet Tony Curry, met visitors to the Museum to talk about Angus, show masks, puppets and weavings, run workshops and demonstrations, as well as presenting a full-length film of our performance. 

The rooms were often packed, and a constant stream of visitors of all ages passed through, most of whom had never heard of Angus MacPhee or his story, but were entranced and fascinated by what they saw and learned. The exhibitions and events, subtitled "A creative response to the life and work of Angus MacPhee" continue until 26th May 2013.  

Monday 4 February 2013

New Angus short film

In preparation for the launch of the new H+B website tomorrow - and also to help Esther sell the 2013 tour of Angus - Weaver of Grass - we asked our wonderful technician Christina Eddowes to make a short film of the Angus show (although she was told by Esther 'not to give away the big set-pieces').




This is it - hope you like it! If you bump into Esther let her know (she's in Edinburgh and Glasgow at the moment). By the way Loz Kaye, our Musical Director responsible for putting together the music for the show, created the special mash-up of music for the film.