Ferguslie voices will be heard
New podcasts set to air
The diverse voices of Ferguslie Park are set to come to life through a series of podcasts and online plays.
In Motion Theatre has been working with residents to challenge perceptions and record experiences of an area often decried as the poorest in Scotland.
The Voice Behind Our Town project aims to tackle stereotypes and historic fallacies and tell the stories of the real people of Ferguslie.
A series of podcasts have been created, gathering the thoughts and tales of people who have helped shape the area which will complement a number of five minute monologues written by Ferguslie writers and performed by professional actors.
Some of the everyday voices heard on the podcasts include – Marc Small who has set up On Yir Bike to get people cycling and healthy in Ferguslie and Terry McTernan and John McIntyre who have been activists for 40 years in making a change for all the people in the community.
As well as, Janine Carter who is an 18- year- old music student/ singer/ songwriter and 82-year-old Helen Crangle who worked for decades in education helping families have a better life.
Seven writers from Ferguslie Park have also been working to create fictional monologues which are inspired by their town and experience of living there.
This writing process provided space and support for residents of Ferguslie to create individual pieces of writing to express their stories of Ferguslie.
The wri t e r s w e re guided through writing sessions and workshops by playwright and creative director of In Motion Theatre Lisa Nicoll.
These pieces are written by John McIntyre, Terry McTernan, Helen Crangle, Michaela Sweeney, Sanjay Lago, Karen Herbison and Patrick Kidd.
The pieces include stories of a young Asian man who moved to the estate in the 80s and the struggles embarked on, a community activist in the late 1970’s who knew a change had to happen after the worst winter and woman who has become an artist but still doesn’t believe she is good enough or deserves this because she is not from the right part of town.
These will be performed by Ke i t h Fleming ( Outlander, Citizens Theatre), Karen Bartke (Scot Squad), Leah Byrne (Dundee Rep Ensemble), Josh Whitelaw ( BEATS), Mary Gapinski, recent Royal Conservatoire graduate Sanjay Lago and introducing new actor Gregor MacRae who is currently a third year acting student at North College Lanarkshire.
Lisa Nicoll, creative director of In Motion said: “I have spent two years getting to know people in Ferguslie
Park and to find out what brings this community together.
“What I have found is that there is such a sense of caring and community and solidarity that has existed before the current Covid-19 pandemic.
“I have observed more connection in this community than when personally I have lived in larger cities and towns where often you can become isolated and not know your neighbours or don’t get involved in things that go on around about because people can become caught up in their own lives”.
Te r ry McTe r n a n , commu n i t y a c t i v i s t, added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this project as its been personally challenging but has provided a fantastic opportunity and platform to promote the many positives about Ferguslie Park using a very different medium.”
The monologues will be premiered online on In Motion Theatre’s website where they will then be available to watch until the end of February.
The podcasts will be available from today on various platforms.