Gaelic Panto
In 2009 and 2010 Fèisean nan Gàidheal staff went on the road with the new panto Marsaili agus a' Bhleideag Airgid (Marsaili and the Silver Snowflake). This new winter play, which was a redevelopment of Ciinderella, was written by the organisation's own staff to give children in Gaelic-medium education the chance to experience a Gaelic panto inside the walls of their own school.
Marsaili was put together to be suitable for the language needs of children in Gaelic-medium education. Although the language is not particularly difficult, is it rich in idiom, and each school which attended the show was given a vocabulary beforehand to allow teachers to go over anything difficult with the children.
The panto was about an hour long, with 4 actors involved. The group kept the props etc as simple as possible so that it would be wasy to get in and out of schools in a timely manner. Most of the costumes were either put together with the group or by people they had used before.
"I am writing to tell you how much the the Gaelic play "Marsaili agus a' Bhleideag Airgid" was enjoyed by the whole school. It was funny, had a good story, and the singing was beautiful. The children understood the story, and the actors were fantastic at encouraging the children to take part. The Gaelic was very clear and easy to understand. The props were also very good." (Headteacher)
Curriculum for Excellence Outcomes
- Experiencing the energy and excitement of being part of an audience for other people’s performances
- Enhancing and enriching learning through partnerships with professional arts companies, creative adults and cultural organisations
- Developing an understanding of what is special, vibrant and valuable about what is, for the majority of Highland pupils, their own and culture and their language
