Tag: photographs

A Big Map for the Big Yin!

Interactive map launched to celebrate Billy Connolly

A BIG MAP FOR THE BIG YIN! 

  • National Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories. 
  • National Theatre of Scotland’s acclaimed, five-star, sell-out production, celebrating Scotland’s most loved comedian, Billy Connolly, returns to stages in 2024.

ABOUT THE BIG MAP FOR THE BIG YIN 

Billy Connolly’s relationship with Scotland spans his extraordinary life and career over the last 80 years.  The National Theatre of Scotland wants to create a map of all the places that have a personal connection to Billy, to help create a love letter from the people of Scotland to their favourite comedian.  They are inviting people to share their knowledge of Billy, stories, memories and photos, to make a living tribute to The Big Yin. 

Billy 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, also that year. 

Billy first established himself as a star, selling out a run and  breaking box office records at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre in Jan/Feb 1974, returning to the theatre on many occasions.  

In January 1994, he undertook a World Tour of Scotland  on a Harley Davidson, taking him from Kelso to Kirkwall with a stop off at Eden Court, Inverness, broadcast on the BBC later in the year.  His love affair with his native country, continued with his residence at Candacraig House, in Aberdeenshire. 

Further information on the map and how to be involved can be found here 

ABOUT THE BIG MAP FOR THE BIG YIN 

Billy Connolly’s relationship with Scotland spans his extraordinary life and career over the last 80 years.  The National Theatre of Scotland wants to create a map of all the places that have a personal connection to Billy, to help create a love letter from the people of Scotland to their favourite comedian.  They are inviting people to share their knowledge of Billy, stories, memories and photos, to make a living tribute to The Big Yin. 

Billy 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, also that year. 

Billy first established himself as a star, selling out a run and  breaking box office records at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre in Jan/Feb 1974, returning to the theatre on many occasions.  

In January 1994, he undertook a World Tour of Scotland  on a Harley Davidson, taking him from Kelso to Kirkwall with a stop off at Eden Court, Inverness, broadcast on the BBC later in the year.  His love affair with his native country, continued with his residence at Candacraig House, in Aberdeenshire. 

Further information on the map and how to be involved can be found here

Gary McNair – writer and performer of Dear Billy 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.”

ABOUT THE SHOW  

National Theatre of Scotland presents   

DEAR BILLY   

A Love Letter to the Big Yin   From the People of Scotland   

Written and performed by Gary McNair, Directed by Joe Douglas   

Music performed and composed by Simon Liddell and Jill O’Sullivan, Set and Costume designed by Claire Halleran, Lighting design by Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes, dramaturgy by Joe Douglas. 

Touring Scotland and England in May followed by a run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024 

Opening at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen then touring to Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow; and Eden Court, Inverness. 

Followed by a two-week run at the Assembly Rooms as part of the Assembly Festival programme for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024.  

“Vivid, funny and poignant.” ​★★★★★ ​The Guardian 

“A gloriously masterful 90 minutes of theatre.” ​★★★★★ ​The Telegraph 

Dear Billy Production Photos - Photo credit Sally Jubb 07

In 2023 National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Dear Billy undertook a 17 venue Scotland-wide tour, reaching over 8000 people.

Originally announced to mark Billy Connolly’s 80th birthday year, the production was enthusiastically received by audiences, selling-out at venues across Scotland, garnering a wealth of positive reviews and due to popular demand is now back on tour again in 2024. 

“If you want to know about Billy Connolly, ask the people of Scotland. If you want to know about the people of Scotland, ask them about Billy Connolly.” 

Billy Connolly needs no introduction. He is a national treasure. From the shipyards of the Clydeside to his trailblazing and extraordinary stage and movie exploits, he is woven into Scottish culture.   

Everyone has a Billy story. An expert team of story gatherers has created a collection of these moving and hilarious tales. Gary McNair, one of Scotland’s most renowned theatre-makers, has turned these stories into a special show celebrating the Big Yin and what he means to the people of Scotland.  

The production will tour in May 2024, opening at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen before touring to Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow and Eden Court in Inverness with a two-week run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024. 

Dear Billy is a unique touring production that evolved on the road. It travelled the length and breadth of Scotland in 2023, visiting local theatres, arts and community centres gathering stories along the way which were woven into the show as the tour progressed.   

Gary McNair is hitting the road once more with two musicians. Audience members are welcomed to share their own Billy stories, with the possibility of those stories making it into the performance. Each show offers a unique chance for audiences to laugh, sing, and celebrate the man and the legend.  

“The perfect tribute to a man who has left his gloriously indelible mark, not only on the art of stand-up comedy, but on the culture of Scotland.”  The National 

“What emerges is a brilliant portrait not only of the Big Yin as others see him, but of his importance as a cultural touchstone to many Scots” ★★★★, The Times 

Dear Billy is written and performed by leading Scottish theatre-maker Gary McNair whose recent work includes the acclaimed Nae Expectations, a fresh take on the Dickens classic for the Tron Theatre; Ugly! A Cinderella Story for Cumbernauld Theatre Company and a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde featuring a solo performance from Forbes Masson which opened at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in January 2024 before touring.  

The production is directed by Joe Douglas whose work for National Theatre of Scotland includes The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil, Dear Scotland and Associate Director for Black Watch. Joe previously collaborated with Gary on McGonagall’s Chronicles (Which Will Be Remembered for a Very Long Time).  

Musicians re-joining Gary on the road are Simon Liddell whose work for theatre includes The Domestic (Scenes for Survival/National Theatre of Scotland) and McGonagall’s Chronicles (Which Will Be Remembered for a Very Long Time) and Jill O’Sullivan who writes and performs across the worlds of popular music, theatre and dance.  

“A vivid, charismatic piece of theatre.”  ★★★★★ The Skinny  

Billy Connolly, or, the Big Yin, whom this show is dedicated to, is Scotland’s most beloved comedian, with an impressive career as a stand-up, actor, writer and musician spanning more than 50 years. In 2022, Connolly was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime achievement.   

Gary McNair is a Glasgow based writer and performer. He is a three-time Fringe First winner and has produced work for and with many of Scotland’s major theatre companies.

His plays have been translated and performed all over the world, from Germany to Japan, from New York to New Zealand. Gary’s work includes A Gambler’s Guide to Dying, Square Go (co-written with Kieran Hurley); McGonagall’s Chronicles Which Will Be Remembered for a Very Long Time, Donald Robertson Is Not a Stand-Up Comedian, After The Cuts, Letters to Morrissey and Locker Room Talk. These plays are published by Methuen.    

Joe Douglas is a theatre director, playwright and performer.

Joe’s career began as Trainee Director at the National Theatre of Scotland from 2007 to 2008. He was the Artistic Director of Live Theatre from 2018 to 2020, and before that, Asspcoate Artistic Director of Dundee Rep and Co-Artistic Director of the Utter touring company. His work includes Clear White Light, Death of a Salesman, Spoiling, The BFG, George’s Marvellous Medicine, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Educating Ronnie, Letters Home, The Red Shed, Stand By and The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil.    

Touring to His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (Thu 16-Sat 18 May); Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow (Wed 22-Sat 25 May); Eden Court, Inverness (Tue 28-Wed 29 May); Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Salford (Sat 1 June); Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Tues 13 – Sun 25 August, no shows on Wednesdays)  

On social: #DearBilly   

Access: Theatre for a Fiver tickets available for under 26’s and those on Universal Credit  

BSL interpreted, audio described and captioned performances full information here.  

Tour information and full creative biogs here.  

New photo of Greyfriars Bobby unveiled

Greyfriars Bobby needs no introduction. He’s one of the most recognizable figures in Scottish history and probably one of the most famous dogs in the world. Yet despite a wealth of literature, and a Disney film, there remain open questions about who exactly this little dog was (writes JAKOB ASSARSSON).

Speaking strictly from the photographic record, there are two dogs purported to be Greyfriars Bobby. One, often named Greyfriars Bobby the First, appears in at least five photographs, taken by Edinburgh publisher Walter Greenoak Patterson around 1867. The other, Greyfriars Bobby the Second, appears in a single photograph of unknown date and origin.

Before we continue, we must sadly put Greyfriars Bobby the Second to bed. In the cold light of day, a single photograph of a Skye terrier, with “Grayfriars [sic] Bobby” written on it, is not enough to suppose, as some have, that there was a second dog. Photographs are frequently mislabeled.

On the balance of probability, we have no choice but to conclude that Greyfriars Bobby the Second was no Greyfriars Bobby at all, but a Greyfriars Red Herring. Consequently, we must dismiss the hypothesis that Greyfriars Bobby the First died and was replaced prior to 1872 – the “two dog” theory.

That so famous a dog could have been replaced by one of a different breed without raising any eyebrows already stretches the bounds of credulity. Perhaps most importantly, it means that Bobby was, probably, neither a purebred Skye terrier, nor a Dandie Dinmont, although they will forever remain an integral part of the legend of Greyfriars Bobby.

So who was Greyfriars Bobby the First? If you visit Bobby’s display at the Museum of Edinburgh, you will see the three images known prior to 2010.

One shows Bobby with the family of John Traill, another with the family’s children, and one by himself, the Museum’s cabinet card-sized copy addressed to John Traill from WG Patterson.

John Traill ran an establishment at 6 Greyfriars Place, at different times described as a coffee house, refreshment rooms, or a restaurant, always with Temperance added to signify that no alcohol was sold.

Today, it is part of Alandas Gelato, with nothing but a neon sign reading “where the magic happens” to signify its historical ties to Bobby.

Bobby would visit and be fed at 6 Greyfriars Place, as he would visit other local homes and businesses in-between stints in Greyfriars Kirkyard. As time went on, the Traill family’s role evolved to something like carers or owners, and it is for this reason they were photographed with the famous pooch.

What is rather remarkable is that since 2010, three entirely new photos have come to light. Mine is the latest and the reason for this article.

In 2010, a Flickr user posted an Edinburgh carte-de-visite photo of a small terrier in a cemetery. It was quickly pointed out that the photographer, WG Patterson, the graveyard setting, and the general appearance of the dog, suggested it might well be Greyfriar’s Bobby.

Having compared the photograph to the location of John Gray’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the subsequently discovered photos of Bobby, I am confident that not only is this indeed Greyfriars Bobby, but Bobby at the famous graveside he may have mourned at.

In 2022, another carte-de-visite of unknown ownership but with a remarkable resemblance to the renowned canine began to circulate in the media. Fresh on its heels, I discovered a further carte-de-visite in 2023. For the first time, we can assemble all of these photos together and gain a better understanding of Bobby.

One of the first conclusions we can draw (yes, pun intended!) is that the previously-known solo portrait is not a photograph, but a traced illustration of the photo I discovered, with some minor changes. Another is that being intended for commercial sale, the images were probably taken in order of saleability until the final, illustrated image was chosen for sale to the public.

Resembling the most strongly a traditional Victorian studio portrait, it is likely that the Traill family was photographed first. However, the inclusion of a family that not all intended customers would have been familiar with, and Bobby looking away from the camera in one photo and blurry-faced in the other, probably necessitated additional photos.

From here it may have been decided that instead of with his current caretaker family, Bobby might be photographed at the famous graveside of John Gray, the man who may have been his former owner.

With no further known photos in this Kirkyard series, we can hazard a guess that Bobby may not have been particularly cooperative in terms of adopting a mourning pose when prompted. We can also see from the shallow depth of field that the studio camera had been adjusted for a shorter exposure, probably to maximize chances of keeping a moving dog in focus.

Inability to secure a photo of Bobby suitably reposed may have led Patterson back to the studio, where Bobby was placed, by himself, on an ornamental pedestal. One photo shows his claws, in another they are absent – the photo with claws must have been taken first.

Perhaps they were trimmed to soften Bobby’s appearance. His coat, too, is brushed. In my photo, an alert, sitting Bobby, claws hidden and coat smooth, finally has his face in focus.

For the first time, we can truly look Bobby in the face. He is unquestionably a terrier cross, resembling no breed in particular. He has teeth. He looks quite happy.

So why was this relatively good photo made into an illustration for sale?

Here, examining the minor changes is revealing. Bobby’s right ear is lowered. His teeth are hidden. His eyes are made to gaze upward, his entire demeanor taking on an air of mournfulness.

His body, made blurry by the shallow depth of field, is brought into sharp focus. Finally, Patterson had his sellable image of a sad Greyfriars Bobby.

The rest is history.

PICTURED (TOP) = Friends of Dalry Cemetery volunteer Lani Knott with the newly unveiled photograph of Greyfriars Bobby in Greyfriars Kirk

Flooded people asked to share their experiences for exhibition

The National Flood Forum are joining forces with The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) to create an exhibition highlighting peoples experience of flooding.

The exhibition will take place as part of the Flood & Coast Conference at Telford International Centre in June 2023.

People who have been flooded are being asked to share artwork, poetry and / or photographs that show their experiences of being impacted by floods.  There may also be the opportunity to attend the event and give your personal experience of flooding.

Tracey Garrett, CEO, National Flood Forum, said: “We would like to increase understanding between the industry and those who flood and putting this exhibition of flooded people’s experiences into the Flood and Coast Conference, gives a chance to do just that.’’

Terry Fuller, CEO at CIWEM, said: “We want our conference to place communities at the heart of our thinking and discussions.

“Flood & Coast provides a great opportunity to raise the importance of community engagement amongst the flood risk professionals and decision makers who attend. It is personally important to me that everyone with an interest in flood and coastal risk feels welcome and able to participate”.

For more details and to submit your contribution visit:

https://zealous.co/ciwem2/opportunity/Flood-Coast-2023-Your-flood-experience-story/

Recording history today for the future

We’re recording the visual signs of how life in Edinburgh has changed during these strange times on Edinburgh Collected, our online community archive (www.edinburghcollected.org).

We’re particularly keen to see the little acts of creativity and messages of thanks and positivity that are helping us all to keep smiling.

We’ve had some lovely picture memories shared to Edinburgh Collected so far.

Do you have any from your neighbourhood walk that you can add to Edinburgh Collected?

Anyone can create an account and add pictures and memories to Edinburgh Collected.

Once added, we’ll add your contributions to the ‘Edinburgh 2020 – coronavirus pandemic’ scrapbook: www.edinburghcollected.org/scrapbooks/271

Thanks for your help

Edinburgh City Libraries

Here are a few of mine – Ed.