Dominic Corr posted: " Created and Performed by John Bolland Co-directed by Mark Thomson ★★★ Conjuring the idea of how it feels to find oneself on a 'burning platform' - too hot to stand but too late to abandon, just what options do we have left whe" http://corrblimey.uk
Conjuring the idea of how it feels to find oneself on a 'burning platform' - too hot to stand but too late to abandon, just what options do we have left when facing down the barrel of this Climate Emergency, and what parallels can be drawn from an oil explosion which claimed the lives of 165 men (and two rescue workers) in the North Sea.
Segmenting itself as part spoken word piece from poet John Bolland and director Mark Thomson: part documentarian piece of the 1988 Piper Alpha Disaster – Pibroch is a multimedia theatrical experience which explores the parallels between the Climate Emergency we find ourselves, and the explosion which claimed so many lives.
Taking inspiration from the relationship between Pipers and the identity of ceòl mòr/Pibroch), this storytelling experience blends projection, poetry aplenty and live pipe playing to simultaneously tell experiences of the past, the present, and prospects of the near future: the inescapability of the climate crisis continues to rear itself more so in creative media continues to grow, but Bolland is far from a stranger to the ongoing protests and push of an end to Fossil Fuels.
Bolland's poetry attempts to engrave the severity of the climate crisis through the lens of a tragic event, expressing in a benevolent manner with distressing but powerful and necessary language to forge parallels between the horrific event and the future which awaits us. There's nothing but a genuine sense of Bolland's performance, tied into the production necessity and Bolland's strong volition. In areas it falters somewhat in its mingling of the personal and poetic, coming over too fast when channelled with emotions, but is undeniably powerful in what it projects about human inevitabilities and contemporary attitude, even if the show's short runtime feels curtailed by the end.
Graeme Roger's projection work (though initially distracting) merges with words and music to support the production. It's all stitched together with the harrowing melody performed by Fraser Fifield's compassionate composition, featuring a diverse and brilliant range of pipes, crossing culture and time. Almost spectral, it's an awe-striking vehicle to drive forward Bollard's words, particularly their recitation of Lament for the Children – Cumha na Cloinne.
Through a significant attachment to the Scots language, music and history, Pibroch is firmly set to communicate a commitment to change for those who already acknowledge the Climate Crisis but have yet to push heavily for action. If change can come to the industrial realm through devastating disasters, then surely, we are to learn from it and adapt and strive for the betterment of our communities.
Pibroch was performed at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on June 4th. Running time - forty minutes with post-show discussion. For additional information about it's touring dates and history, please visit their website here. Photo Credit - Graeme Roger
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