The Lanarkshire village of Roberton may be small but it’s embracing of Hallowe’en tropes outweighs its size with skeletons, pumpkins and scary signs in evidence as soon as you get off the bus for the Village Hall. It is here that one of the first sessions of Biggar based Braw Clan’s popular Soup and a Story sessions took place this year.
Now in its fourth season, Soup and a Story does what it says on the metaphorical tin (the soup served is both home-made and hearty!) For the price of nothing, attendees are served at tables set traverse style where they can enjoy soup and a roll followed by tea or coffee and a choice of delicious cake, also home-made. Convivial repast over, the actor of the day takes the floor ready to read and act out a tale, but beforehand the Company’s Creative Director Clare Yuille, herself a trained actor, not only does the introduction but goes through some of the Scots words that feature in the piece with the audience.
In this ingle atmosphere, where the low Lanarkshire hills can be viewed through the long, high windows of the hall, Michael Mackenzie, known for appearances in many Scottish TV productions as well as films, took the stage. With twinkling eyes and convincing voice creating creepy sound effects to match the story Are You Sleeping, Mr Kello?, Mackenzie brought engaging liveliness to this salutary and seasonal tale. Set in late 16th century Scotland and adapted by Braw Clan’s Creative Producer Martin Travers from work by forgotten female Scots writer Jean Lang, this proved to be the perfect choice of story for the season. After the 20-minute reading, the audience is invited to interact with the actor and each other in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere when an array of favourite Scots words are shared. It seems that an adage of mine that while I don’t always speak (or write!) in Scots it aye spiks tae me, also applies to others.
Braw Clan is doing an impressive and important job by fixing a flaw in the lack of use of Scots in public spaces and in turn creating a celebration of our rich native Lowland language while introducing its existence to newcomers. They are right in the heart of their own community where the audience can appreciate real stories of Clydesdale along with genuine conviviality. As Clare Yuille neatly put it, Braw Clan is like the ‘terroir of theatre.’
Their longer Scots language plays, all written by the prodigious Martin Travers, are performed in local venues in Clydesdale at different times in the year and the first of this season’s events kicked off at Symington Village Hall on Thursday 30th October and Roberton Village Hall on Friday 31st October.
Dates for the remaining season are as follows:
27th November in Symington, 28th November in Roberton at 12pm
18th December in Symington, 19th December in Roberton at 12pm
29th January in Symington, 30th January in Roberton at 12pm
26th February in Symington, 27th February in Roberton at 12pm
26th March in Symington, 27th March in Roberton at 12pm
30th April in Symington, 1st May in Roberton at 12pm
28th May in Symington, 29th May in Roberton at 12pm
Braw Clan is supported by SSE Renewables and Nadara Glenkerie Wind Farm.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 