Performing Arts

National Theatre of Scotland’s 99…100 game

99…100 is a show that’s also a game, using six degrees of separation to find out everything that binds us. We want 100 of you to sign up for this unique Solas experience. Participants will be tagged, flagged and tasked with learning what connects them with fellow festivalgoers – over picnic blankets, at the bar, or standing next to someone in a gig.  99…100 encourages you to connect with the world around you, with those you know and those you don’t, to explore universal traits, celebrate differences and have a bash at rekindling some good, old-fashioned human interaction.

Devised and facilitated by the National Theatre of Scotland.  Accessible and suitable for all ages. This show depends on you - please e-mail henry@solasfestival.co.uk if you’d like to take part.

 

Margie Gillis

Margie Gillis is a Canadian solo dancer and choreographer who has worked with some of the greatest dancers and artists of her time. In 1979, she became the first Western artist to take modern dance teaching to China. Margie has been a Member of the Order of Canada since 1988 and she was appointed Knight of the Ordre National du Québec in 2009 in recognition of her contribution to contemporary dance. She also has a strong commitment to issues of social justice, and has been a spokesperson for organisations including Oxfam.

 

Puppet State Theatre Company presents The Man Who Planted Trees

This multi-sensory theatrical adaptation of Jean Giono’s environmental classic tells the inspiring story of a shepherd who plants a forest, acorn by acorn, transforming a barren wasteland. As much a touching tale as it is a hilarious puppet show, The Man Who Planted Trees shows us the difference one man (and his dog!) can make to the world. Suitable for adults and children over 7.

 

Scottish Refugee Council and the Tron Theatre present Some Other Mother

High up in a Glasgow tower block, ten-year old Star and her mother await the outcome of their claim for asylum. As Mama’s mind fragments under the pressure of their unknown future, Star constructs a poetic and fantastical world of her own. Some Other Mother is a story of loss and survival which explores the traumatising impact of the asylum system, regardless of the outcome.

Some Other Mother is a new play by AJ Taudevin in association with Scottish Refugee Council and Tron Theatre and supported by Stellar Quines and On at Fife.

Please note that the play contains some strong language and may be unsuitable for under-14s.

 

Waste of Paint Productions

Waste of Paint use recycled, reclaimed and otherwise abandoned materials to tell stories and create community theatre. This year, they’re bringing their new show to Solas, A Load of Rubbish which needs you, the audience, to help out with making the props and puppets…from rubbish. A Load of Rubbish is suitable for all ages.

 

Zombie Science

It’s a well-documented fact that zombies pose a major potential threat to life as we know it. Thankfully, Scotland’s leading expert on Zombieism – Chair of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies, Doctor Smith – will be on-hand during the festival to educate us in how to identify and contain this worrying condition. This is one (spoof) science class you can’t afford to skip…

Suitable for ages 13 upwards.

 

Sarah Cassidy

Sarah Cassidy is a half-Scottish, half-Jewish American comedian. Now based in Glasgow, Sarah started performing in 2009 partly as a dare and is a rising star on the live comedy circuit. Intelligent, wry and brilliantly funny, Sarah takes in science, history, life across The Pond and a bizarre obsession with beards.