Solway to Svalbard
Stuart Macpherson is based in Moniaive and his creative idea saw him working with long time collaborators filmmaker Emma Dove and sound designer Peter Smith who together formed the creative team on his Solway to Svalbard project which he has been developing since 2017. Bright Sparks helped Stuart take this creative concept to a challenging new level, working for the first time with dramaturg Davie Anderson and the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) on the production and delivery of a multi-screen/surround sound installation.
The creative team were guided by Davie Anderson through a range of writing exercises to help them achieve their desired outcome for the project. Reflecting on this Stuart said:
“This was very much out of our comfort zones, especially for Pete and Emma as they are usually on the other side of a camera/microphone, I’m at least used to performing on stage in front of audiences but this was far more exposing than what I’m used to and delivering text that I’ve written! Davie was great at putting us at ease and introducing some of the more theatrical ideas without it ever feeling like they were being imposed on us, definitely felt like we were leading it and Davie was just very skilfully making sure we were open to possibilities.”
At the suggestion of NTS British Sign Language interpreter Yvonne Strain, who has an extensive track record of working creatively with performing arts companies, was brought in. The creative team found this an enjoyable experience and helped them to view the project differently, including how to make it more accessible. At the end of his Bright Sparks project Stuart delivered the latest iteration of his Solway to Svalbard project at NTS’ Just Start Here festival of new work held in Dumfries.
The 2 minute film below is an early iteration of the project.
The creative team were guided by Davie Anderson through a range of writing exercises to help them achieve their desired outcome for the project. Reflecting on this Stuart said:
“This was very much out of our comfort zones, especially for Pete and Emma as they are usually on the other side of a camera/microphone, I’m at least used to performing on stage in front of audiences but this was far more exposing than what I’m used to and delivering text that I’ve written! Davie was great at putting us at ease and introducing some of the more theatrical ideas without it ever feeling like they were being imposed on us, definitely felt like we were leading it and Davie was just very skilfully making sure we were open to possibilities.”
At the suggestion of NTS British Sign Language interpreter Yvonne Strain, who has an extensive track record of working creatively with performing arts companies, was brought in. The creative team found this an enjoyable experience and helped them to view the project differently, including how to make it more accessible. At the end of his Bright Sparks project Stuart delivered the latest iteration of his Solway to Svalbard project at NTS’ Just Start Here festival of new work held in Dumfries.
The 2 minute film below is an early iteration of the project.
