Every year Fèisean nan Gàidheal produces a Gaelic pantomime aimed at Gaelic speaking primary children which is toured throughout the country. The play and tour is produced through Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s education service Fèisgoil which is funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Anna Bheag a’ Chòta Dheirg
Tales of a hungry wolf in the enchanted forest are a distant memory and Little Anna has no reason to worry when she decides to visits her great granny for her birthday…or does she?Tales of a hungry wolf in the enchanted forest are a distant memory and Little Anna has no reason to worry when she decides to visits her great granny for her birthday…or does she?
News about Anna Bheag a’ Chòta Dheirg
Hansel ‘s Gretel agus Fèill Mhòr na Fuine
The national tour of the Gaelic pantomime Hansel & Gretel agus Fèill Mhòr na Fuine (Hansel and Gretel and the Great Baking Festival) had it’s final performances on Friday 9th December 2016 with performances in Dingwall and Tain. The 10-day tour gave over 2000 children with Gaelic from 45 schools the opportunity to the see the play. In 2016 Gaelic schools in Lewis and Harris had the opportunity to see it with three performances held at Stornoway Town Hall on Monday 5th December and a performance in Harris, at Sir E. Scott school on the morning of Tuesday 6th December. The tour also included a public performance held at the Ironworks, Inverness on Thursday 8th December.
The pantomime was written and directed by Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Drama Officer Angus Macleod, with props and set design by Shannon White and costume design by Laura Cowie. The play was performed by four Gaelic speaking actors; Calum MacDonald, MJ Deans, Debbie Mackay and Iain Beggs.
Photos from a performance at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu on Friday 2nd December 2016.
Marsaili agus a’ Bhleideag Airgid
Over the first two weeks of December 2015 Marsaili agus a’ Bhleideag Airgid (Marsaili and the Silver Snowflake) travelled over 1,200 miles, visiting cities, towns and villages throughout the country.
The hour long show was staged in 17 different schools/venues with a further 26 schools being invited to attend neighbouring schools to enjoy the show together. The cast of 4 – Ellen Macdonald, Catriona Nicolson, Iain Beggs and Angus Macleod – are well experienced actors and singers, some enjoying celebrity through the current Gaelic soap opera, Bannan. The play was written by Fèisean nan Gàidheal staff and was directed by David Walker Costume design was by Laura Cowie.
“The children all LOVED the pantomime, it was a great success.”
“The children thoroughly enjoyed the panto this morning –it was very funny and the language was pitched at an appropriate level for all. The actors were great too!”
“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the pupils all enthused about the performance. Feedback from both pupils and staff was that it was really good and we welcome having any Gaelic experience for our children in the North East of Scotland. Seeing the language used in action helps to develop pupils understanding and daily usage as a living language.”
Curriculum for Excellence Outcomes
Expressive arts Experiences and outcomes
- I have experienced the energy and excitement of being part of an audience for other people’s performances EXA 0-01a / EXA 1-01a / EXA 2-01a
- My learning in, through and about the expressive arts is enhanced and enriched through partnerships with professional arts companies, creative adults and cultural organisations
Literacy Experiences and outcomes
I develop and extend my literacy skills when:
- I have opportunities to developing an understanding of what is special, vibrant and valuable about what is, for the majority of Highland pupils, their own culture and their language
- extend and enrich my vocabulary through listening, talking, watching and reading.
