Dramatic success for youthful stars of Gaelic festival

THE TENTH annual Fèis Dhràma Earra- Ghàidheal took place last Tuesday (May 24).

Over the course of the afternoon, a total of 82 children from three of Argyll’s Gaelic primary schools performed original plays in Oban’s Corran Halls.

Primary one pupils from Salen school on the isle of Mull performed a Gaelic take on the well-known story, The Enormous Turnip.

Classes one to four from Oban’s Rockfield Primary School performed a play about a boy who is given magical powers so he can talk to animals.

Sandbank Primary from Dunoon produced two plays, with P1-3 performing one about a journey to different planets, taking inspiration from different Gaelic accents, and P4-7 performing one about a magic Olympic torch.

All the school groups had taken part in workshops run by actor and drama worker Debbie Mackay, as did pupils from Strath of Appin Primary, who did not participate in the festival.

Ms Mackay said: ‘I did four workshops and it was good to see the progression. It’s a great wee project.’

Angus Macleod, Fèisan nan Gàidheal’s drama officer, who has been coordinating the project, said: ‘ We strongly believe that drama is an excellent tool for developing a wide range of skills – public speaking, self- confidence, teamwork and behaviour among them. Every year it’s encouraging to see that they will then go on to high school with new skills that will be beneficial to them in the years ahead.’

Fèisan nan Gàidheal is funded by Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Highland Council, Argyll and Bute Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Photos provided by Fèis Dhràma Earra- Ghàidheal 2016. Sandbank Primary’s P4-7s perform their play about the Olympic torch.

Rockfield Primary performing their play about a boy getting magic powers.

Salen Primary one class staged a play about a giant turnip.

Primary 1-3 from Sandbank Primary performing their space-themed play.