Residents’ chance to get on board with Ferry Tales
National Theatre of Scotland is staging open rehearsals for Oban and Mull residents later this month for a new musical production.
Ferry Tales is being staged as part of VisitScotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 and is supported by CalMac. It celebrates the waters surrounding Scotland’s western isles and the voyages made over them by thousands of people every year.
With the help of communities and world-class artists, Ferry Tales will bring an enchanting musical tale, told using English, Gaelic and British Sign Language to three of the country’s major ferry routes, which will include performances on the Oban to Craignure route from April 14 to April 18.
Written by Isobel McArthur, directed by Lu Kemp and featuring songs by Scottish folk singer Josie Duncan, Ferry Tales will draw inspiration from community stories and experiences to create the short, immersive tales, told through storytelling and song by an ensemble of talented actors.
On the ferries, audiences will find anything can happen.
In amongst the red plastic chairs and bolted-down tables, they will discover popup performances and chance encounters, each designed to delight old and young.
At the end of the voyage, they will be welcomed and immersed in inspiring local tales. Fusing magical music, words and song, the stories featured in Ferry Tales will find meaning in the mundane and romance in everyday life, reflecting the warm heart of Scotland’s coastal communities.
Residents have the chance to be a part of the production’s community cast, with sessions in Mull giving people the chance to share their stories. Sessions and rehearsals start on February 24 at Comar, Tobermory, every Monday evening for seven weeks.
The rehearsals will be led by musician Caitlin Mulgrew and drama practitioner Andi Stevens. Anyone interested is encouraged to go along to the first session.
Ferry Tales performances will also take place on Rothesay to Wemyss Bay sailings from April 7 to April 11 and on Stornoway to Ullapool sailings from April 21 to April 25. Full sailing times for all performances to be announced.