This week Fèisean nan Gàidheal is touring a new Gaelic play in the Central Belt aimed at children in their early years.
‘Hùb Hàb air Ghleus’ (Hùb Hàb in Tune) is based on the theme of music and song which is explored through the friendship of the characters Hùb and Hàb. During the play these characters help each other to discover their own musical gifts. Actors MJ Deans (Hùb) and Iain Beggs (Hàb) are touring the play, visiting Gaelic nurseries and schools in East Kilbride, Kilmarnock, Cumbernauld, Bishopbriggs, Greenock, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The five-day tour started on Monday 18th April at Mount Cameron Primary Gaelic Nursery in East Kilbride and the final performance is on the afternoon of Friday the 22nd of April at the Glasgow Gaelic School nursery. The play is aimed at the 3-5 year age group but is also suitable for young primary school children. At some of the performances, primary one and primary two pupils from the attached Gaelic medium school will be attending.
This play is a development of the pilot production ‘Hùb Hàb air a Chroit’ (Hùb Hàb on the Croft), which toured Gaelic nurseries in the Highland Council area in January 2015.
‘Hùb Hàb air Ghleus’ was written and directed by Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Drama Officer Angus Macleod, with additional musical support from Gaelic singer Kirsteen Graham and Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Fèisgoil Manager Eilidh Mackenzie, who also wrote some of the song material specifically for the play.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is very grateful for the funding provided by Bòrd na Gàidhlig to deliver its existing drama service and to develop and deliver new drama projects for early years age groups.
Angus Macleod said: “We plan to further develop early years Gaelic drama provision and provide access to age appropriate language-rich theatre-style performances for the wider pre-school sector. There are many community based Gaelic playgroups and parent and toddler groups in the area that would benefit from the opportunity to access this play and other plays in the future. Fèisean nan Gàidheal will endeavour to accommodate the needs of these formal and informal education early years groups in the coming months.”
For more information about ‘Hùb Hàb air Ghleus’, the tour and Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s other Gaelic medium drama projects, contact Angus Macleod on 01463 225559 or e-mail angus@feisean.org
Praise received for ‘Hùb Hàb air Ghleus’
“Mòran taing the performance was excellent and both staff and children thoroughly enjoyed it! Hope to see you all again.”
Jackie Boyle, Head of Nursery,
Lyoncross Nursery School/ Sgoil-àraich Lyoncross
”Mòran taing airson an dràma a chur air dòigh. Chòrd sin ris a h-uile duine!”
Barbara Smith, Ceannard na Sgoile
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis
