A new Gaelic pantomime was released to Gaelic medium primary schools last week on Thursday 9th December. It will be streamed to the public on Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Facebook page this Thursday, 16th December at 7pm.
Ùisdean agus am Fìdhlear Seunta (Ùisdean and the Enchanted Fiddler), was written and directed by Angus Macleod, Drama Officer with Fèisean nan Gàidheal. Angus commented: “We hoped that we’d be able to tour schools this year but the decision was made to produce another film and we’re making it available online like we did last year. It was filmed at Nairn Community Centre and it was good to take the opportunity to feature the town as part of the film.”
“As we had more freedom in November compared with this time last year, we were able to feature young Gaelic speakers in the film; seven youngsters from Nairn based Fèis Inbhir Narainn, make an appearance. Primary six pupils at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, the Gaelic primary school in Inverness, also participated and their singing features in two songs in the film.
Katie MacFarlane, from Airdrie, plays the lead role of Ùisdean and her vocal talents are showcased in the film. Rachel Kennedy, from the Isle of Lewis, plays the part of the stingy King and Maggie Ross, from Skye, plays the part of Ùisdean’s Granny. Pablo Lafuente from Airdrie plays Fernando, the enchanted fiddler. Pablo is a professional musician and his magical skills on the fiddle can be heard throughout.
Angus said, “This is the fifth film we’ve produced for schools through our drama service since the beginning of the first lockdown and we are pleased to be able to offer this despite the current restrictions.”
The pantomime was filmed and edited professionally by Graeme Roger of Wildbird and Mike Webster of Spiral Out Pictures.
This is the 13th successive year Fèisean nan Gàidheal has produced a Gaelic pantomime through its arts in education service, Fèisgoil, with funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland and HIE.
Eilidh Mackenzie, Fèisgoil manager, commented: “The annual Feisean nan Gàidheal panto has become a real highlight in the Fèisgoil calendar. With the ongoing uncertainty regarding school visits we were delighted to be able to offer work once again to film-makers as well as Gaelic actors and musicians. We are very grateful to our funders for agreeing to this flexible approach to delivery and hope children, their teachers and their families all enjoy the antics of Ùisdean and friends.”
For more information about the panto film, contact Fèisgoil Manager Eilidh Mackenzie at eilidh@feisean.scot or Drama Officer Angus Macleod at angus@feisean.scot. To view the pantomime on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/feisean/live on the 16th December at 7pm.
More information about the project can be found at www.feisean.org/en/feisgoil-en/gaelic-panto/
