National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) has launched a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin. Like NTS’ acclaimed production DEAR BILLY, that celebrates Billy Connolly’ s life by inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories, The Big Map for the Big Yin extends that public involvement beyond theatre.
Connolly’s relationship with Scotland spans his extraordinary life and career over the last 80 years so NTS wants to create a map of all the places with a personal connection to Billy, inviting people to share their knowledge stories, memories and photos to make a living tribute to The Big Yin.
Connolly toured the folk clubs, the grand theatres and workings men’s clubs of Scotland from 1970’s, retiring from live performance in 2018.
Born at 69 Dover Street, Anderston, he worked the shipyards of Glasgow’s Clydeside in the 1960’s, before taking to the road with folk rock band The Humblebums. He made his theatrical debut in 1972 at the Cottage Theatre in Cumbernauld, ahead of performing in The Great Northern Welly Boot Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that year, establishing himself as a star at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre in 1974.
In 1994, he undertook a World Tour of Scotland on a Harley Davidson, broadcast on the BBC, that took him from Kelso to Kirkwall. His love affair with Scotland continuing with his residence at Candacraig House, Aberdeenshire.
Writer and performer of Dear Billy, Gary McNair said “I’m delighted we are launching the Big Map for the Big Yin where people can pin their own stories and connections to Billy. As we learned when interviewing people to make this show – everyone has something to say about Billy, whether that’s a memorable meeting or a connection to his work.
The great thing about the Big Map is that there is a space where people can continue to share and hopefully build an interactive document about what he means to us all.
I’m beyond giddy to be bringing the show Dear Billy back so soon after it’s tour last year. It is a genuine honour to have been trusted to make this show, Billy is so important to so many people that it was so well received was a dream come true. I can’t wait to get back on the road with the band and meet new amazing audience.”
DEAR BILLY: A Love Letter to the Big Yin From the People of Scotland is directed by Joe Douglas who also provides dramaturgy. Music is performed and composed by Simon Liddell and Jill O’Sullivan. The NTS’ 2023 production travelled the length and breadth of Scotland gathering stories along the way that were woven into the show as the tour progressed. The sell out tour, that was enthusiastically received garnering a wealth of positive reviews, is returns to the road in 2024.
Tour dates:
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (Thu 16th-Sat 18th May)
Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow (Wed 22nd-Sat 25th May)
Eden Court, Inverness (Tue 28th-Wed 29th May)
Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Salford (Sat 1st June)
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Tues 13th – Sun 25th August – not Wednesdays)
Access: Theatre for a Fiver tickets available for under 26’s and those on Universal Credit
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 