I've just
returned from visiting the Horse + Bamboo touring company - Mark, Jonny, Mel and Jordanna - on Deeside; partly to
see the company and partly to film the show.
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| Banchory - Woodend Barn |
First
stop was at a really beautiful and well run art centre, Woodend Barn,
at Banchory – close to Aberdeen. Here we had a great turn out, the
120 seater almost full and a very, very enthusiastic reception.
Some of
the comments:
“Wow!
Lost for words...moved to tears. Thank you”
“Exquisite
theatre + art + music. Thank you for a stunning piece of art and a
real tribute to the human spirit.”
“One
of the most interesting theatrical performances I have ever seen”.
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| Braemar Village Hall |
Then,
after a drive to Inverness to the opening of the Scottish Mental
Health Art and Film Festival at Eden Court I drove back through the
Cairngorms to Braemar and the tiny but characterful village hall.
Here we were welcomed by a small and mysterious group of very talented musicians
greeting the audience as they arrived by playing in the foyer.
Again, there was a great reception for the show:
“You
took me on a journey into the life of Angus. An amazing story,
brilliantly told, evocative, emotional, educational – a tear was
shed, a wonderful performance – thank you – a visual picnic and
feast.”
“Magical.
Brilliantly conceived and performed. Very moving – thanks.”
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| The road to Glenshee |
Then
through Glenshee to Perth and the Weaver of Grass exhibition in the
Museum and Art Gallery. One of the things this year is how much is
happening related to Angus MacPhee. In Inverness there are guided
walks of the places he worked (on Wednesday 9th October at
1pm and 6pm, with Karrie Marshall at the site of Craig Dunain, the
mental hospital where Angus lived for 50 years); a reading of poetry
by Chrys Salt and a talk by Roger Hutchinson, author of 'The Silent
Weaver'. Saturday 12th October is 'Angus McPhee day' – a
celebration of creativity, and alongside these activities our friend
Joanne B Kaar will be running a grass weaving workshop, and our show
will be playing at Eden Court Theatre at 7pm.
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| From the exhibition in Perth Art Gallery and Museum |
The
Perth exhibition is very impressive, and it also features the film of Joanne
demonstrating how Angus made his weavings. The gallery includes great
examples of Angus' work collected by Joyce Laing, including several
that I hadn't seen before. It's overwhelming and very pleasing to see so much interest
now in Angus and his work. Posters and flyers of the exhibitions, our
show, and these various Angus-related events and activities are to be found all over the
country. How much has changed in just one year.
