SOMETHING TO SAY 2021

New Gaelic radio drama

Something to Say is a new Gaelic drama project, aiming to bring Gaelic voices to radio drama.

Twelve Gaelic writers attended the development programme Something to Say / Rudeigin ri Ràdh, set up by Theatre Gu Leòr with funding from Creative Scotland.

Four writer were then awarded commissions to write new ten-minute radio dramas. The new pieces were broadcast on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal 27 – 30 April 2021.

Danns a’ Rathaid by Elspeth Turner

Cast: Elspeth Turner and Màiri Morrison

Anna lives alone, rarely speaking to anyone else, until something happens that forces her to strike up a friendship with a woman to whom she has a far closer connection that she initially thought. This a melancholy story about the struggle of a young dancer in London in the 1950s weaves together different themes such as the desire to move on, ancestry, and separation, through this unexpected connection, and the beautiful music of Swan Lake.

Panolof is Panalaf by Iain MacRae

Cast: Iain MacRae and Daibhidh Walker.

Many academics have debated where the Lewis Chessmen came from. This comedy, set in the National Museum, considers not only where they came from, but where they are going. As soon as the lights go off, the chessmen escape, and nobody except the two pawns know what they’ve got planned. There’s only one problem - there’s no sign of the rest of the chessmen, and without anyone to give them permission to move, how will they make their way home?

Rùintean Màiri Iain Mhòir by Martin MacIntyre

Cast: Mairi Morrison and Calum MacDonald

Though covid-19 has turned everyone’s world upside down, leaving us uneasy and unsettled, we try and keep our spirits up by looking forward to a time when all this is over. But what impact has this lockdown had on our dead? This is a play about hope, loss, and love, set in the Western Isles, and with music that make the Uist landscape - and the dead! - come to life.

Èirigh by Martin O’Connor

Cast: Daibhidh Walker

Èirigh explores the effect that climate chance could have on a small Scottish island, and on the life of one man as he tries to make a difference and save his family from the rising sea. Many of the things Martin O’Connor often explores in his work - masculinity, faith, monologue, comedy - feature in this new short radio play.

Director: Muireann Kelly

Sound Designer and Editor: Matt Padden

Music: Pàdruig Moireasdan

Harp: Malachy Arnold

Dramaturgy: Lynda Radley, Iain Finlay MacLeod, Oliver Emanuel and Catrìona Lexy Campbell

Studio Producer: Catriona Mhoireach

Sound Engineer: Sara Mattinson

Producer: Annella NicLeòid

Assistant Commissioner: Calum McConnell

Co-ordinator: Rhona NicDhùghaill

About the Project

Some of the writers came from the theatre sector, and others from the world of poetry and novels; some of them had been writing for many years, while some were just starting out. Different workshops and advice sessions were delivered by experts in radio drama, Gaelic writing, and broadcasting, including playwrights/dramaturgs Oliver Emanuel, Lynda Radley, Iain Finlay MacLeod and Catriona Lexy Campbell, along with editor and producer, Iain MacDiarmaid. In addition, sessions were also delivered in partnership with Birds of Paradise Theatre, a company run by and for Disabled artists.

The successful pieces were chosen by a panel of representatives from Theatre Gu Leòr and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, and an independent expert.

Artistic Director Muireann Kelly said, “We had always wanted to develop Gaelic radio drama, and we wanted to work with Radio nan Gàidheal in order to reach the widest possible audience. Due to covid-19, the theatres are all closed, and many creatives have lost work, so it seemed the right time to launch this project, Rudeigin ri Ràdh/Something to Say. We were delighted that so many Gaelic writers were interested in the project, and we can’t wait for audiences to hear the new commissions.”

Calum McConnell, Assistant Commissioner at the BBC said, “It has been a pleasure for us at BBC Radio nan Gàidheal to work with Theatre Gu Leòr on this creative project. Developing skills in radio drama is really important, and the participants received support from highly-respected writers and professionals through this scheme. Just as important, however, was the opportunity for people to develop their own work, particularly during lockdown, and we are delighted that we now have four new scripts to broadcast on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.”

the writers

the actors

In partnership with BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. Supported by Creative Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.