Almost two thousand years ago an Irish abbot landed on the wild shores of Scotland. He would change our history forever. Now, audiences at Celtic Connections are being invited to follow in the footsteps of St Columba.
This Friday (January 31) they will witness a world premiere exploring and reimagining the life of the sixth Century Saint through music, poetry and visual art.
Iona: In the Footsteps of Columba weaves original and traditional music from Aberdeenshire fiddle maestro Paul Anderson, with perceptive poetry penned by Francis Devine and striking imagery by Glasgow artist John Lowrie Morrison – vividly brought together by actor and director John Bett’s magical script.
The musical line-up is completed by some of Scotland’s pre-eminent traditional musicians, including Steve Byrne, Shona Donaldson, Annie Grace, Ali Napier and Martin O’Neill.
In 563 CE, Columba arrived on the island of Iona from Ireland with twelve companions. Since then, the tiny Hebridean island has borne witness to the burials of 60 Scottish, Norwegian and Irish kings and repeated bloody Viking raids. To this day it remains central to the spiritual life of the nation – and a global site of pilgrimage.
This entirely-new production – brought to Celtic Connections by St Margaret’s Braemar, the thriving Deeside arts, performance and heritage centre – promises to be an enchanting and unforgettable mixed-media experience. Iona is produced for St Margaret’s by singer and broadcaster Fiona Kennedy OBE and Paula Gibson, former creative director at Aberdeen Arts Centre.
Tickets are on sale now for the performance, which takes place at the Barony Hall, Glasgow this Friday (31st January) For more information please visit celticonnnections.com
Director John Bett said: “Centuries after Columba’ s visit, three creatives follow in his footsteps on the isle he made famous.
“They are a fiddler and composer from Aberdeenshire, an Irish poet and a painter from the west coast of Scotland: Paul Anderson, Francis Devine and John Lowrie Morrison."
“It has been my privilege and joy to collate their music, musings and material into an evening’s entertainment celebrating the magical island of Iona and the history, spirituality and beauty it contains.”
Paul Anderson said: “Iona has been a labour of love for me since its first inception in 2018 and, by my own estimation, features some of my finest work."
“I always felt that it would work well on stage accompanied by John’s strikingly beautiful images and Francis’s powerful words."
“Now, with the addition of John Bett’s wonderful script to bring it all together, we’re delighted to bring it to Celtic Connections."
St Margaret’s co-producer Paula Gibson said: “We are absolutely delighted that St Margaret’s has helped to facilitate and launch this amazing production and we are excited to share it with the Celtic Connections audience, bringing the spirituality of Iona to the heart of Glasgow.”