This month, Gaelic medium primary schools in Skye and Lochalsh, the Western Isles and Mallaig will have the opportunity to learn more about Prince Charles Edward Stewart and the Jacobite rebellion through a theatre-in-education workshop entitled Teàrlach Fo Chasaid (Charlie in the Dock).
The tour, which started on Wednesday 14th February in Skye and continues to the 1st of March, is produced by Fèisean nan Gàidheal through its Fèisgoil education service. The interactive performance is aimed at P4 to P7 classes and is set in a courtroom with pupils representing members of the jury. After listening to the judge and the testimony of four witnesses, pupils have to decide whether or not Charlie is a hero.
All of the characters are played by two Gaelic-speaking actors. Megan MacLellan is well known as a presenter on BBC Alba’s Dè a-nis? and David Mackenzie performed in Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Dràma air Chuairt production ‘Clach na Nathrach’ which toured in September as part of the Blas Festival. This is the second leg of a national tour with the workshop. In October 2017 it toured mainland schools by actors Calum MacDonald and Ellen MacDonald.
Fèisean nan Gàidheal is grateful to Newtonmore’s Highland Folk Museum for the hire of a number of costumes used in the workshop.
The production and tour have been made possible by funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
For more information about Teàrlach Fo Chasaid or Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s other drama projects contact Angus Macleod on 01463 225 559 or e-mail angus@feisean.org.
