5 November 2008

What is it?

“Mach an a Deich/Mach 10” – is a non-competitive festival of Gaelic drama with only a few staging rules to be held in An Lanntair, Stornoway.  It will showcase up to a dozen new ten minute Gaelic plays.

When is it taking place?

The Festival will be held from 9th to 14th March 2009 with the performances taking place on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th.

The other days will be taken up with rehearsals and related events.

What are its aims?

For the participants:

• To bring together the Gaelic drama community from throughout Scotland for a celebration of the tradition to include professional, community and occasional performers.

• To encourage smaller groups and first time individual writers, actors or directors to emerge
• To ensure an increased variation in themes
• To offer financial assistance to participants in order to stage their work
• To offer publicity and promotion for participants work

For the audience:

• To establish a positive and locally relevant image of theatre attendance
• To broaden the perception of Gaelic arts activity
• To encourage audiences that are uncomfortable with theatre to attend by presenting a variety of short pieces

How can I take part?

There are no rules as such for the Festival, other than that each play must be a complete, original drama that lasts around ten minutes and must be premiered in An Lanntair.  The participants are responsible for delivering the completed piece to stage. 

Scripts must be submitted for selection to An Lanntair by 31 December 08.  Those selected to be performed will receive a small grant towards the staging of the play. Groups which have to travel to the island are also eligible for assistance. Only one grant per individual/company will be considered but you may submit more than one script for consideration.

For further information please contact Alex Macdonald, Programme Officer at An Lanntair on 01851703307 or alex@lanntair.com