Citadel Arts Group’s Leith Festival show, Beyond the Ash Tide was about to go into rehearsal when the COVID-19 crisis hit. The older writers and audiences that the group work with had to go into lockdown.
But that has not deterred the hard working group. In response, they have put together a series of audio plays for lockdown listeners under the banner Citadel Goes Viral.
Beyond the Ash Tide (by Susan Chaney) was suitably adapted and other writers were set the challenge of creating short new audio plays which confront the reality of life under lockdown. Some approached the subject with dark humour; others focused on the sadness and frustration that the crisis induced.
Each week, starting today (Monday 6 July), a new play will be broadcast via a link on the project’s website www.citadelgoesviral.com and the Citadel Arts Group Facebook group.
The full running list is:
Mon 6 Jul – The Duchess Of Kirkcaldy by Alan Mountford with Mark Kydd
A man awaits a train at Aberdour station. He remembers the woman he loved – and a Beatles song.
Mon 13 Jul – Leaving This Shore by Vincent Maguire with Adam Tomkins, Laverne Edmonds, Ryaan Ali and Charles Donnelly
West coast fisherman, Donald, copes with painful and momentous changes to his way of life.
Mon 20 Jul – Hard Travelling by Jim Brown with Charlie West, Debbie Cannon, Gregor
Davidson and Kirsty Punton
Lots of men talk to their cars but not many have a Citroen van that answers back!
Mon 27 Jul – The Walk by Elaine Campbell with Elizabeth Millbank
82-year-old Dina takes her allowed exercise by walking through the crazy streets of Edinburgh’s West End.
Mon 3 Aug – Old Normal by Carolyn Lincoln with Charles Donnelly and Mark Kydd
Even before lockdown, many older people experience loneliness, even if they’re living with their father – or perhaps that’s why life is so trying!
Mon 10 Aug – Planet Gliese 589 by John Lamb with Alison MacFarlane, Gregor Davidson and Mark Kydd
With no vaccine against the virus and climate change out of control, scientists explore space for a safe place.
Mon 17, 24, 31 Aug – Beyond The Ash Tide by Susan Chaney
A powerful and touching drama set in present day Cornwall, and in the past – where women known as Bal Maidens laboured in the tin mines. Two middle-aged sisters retrace childhood memories on a holiday intended to help the older one, Kat, cope with a sudden bereavement. Their relationship is tested to the utmost. Broadcast in three 10-minute segments.
Sound Engineer for all plays: Stewart Emm
Directed by Liz Hare
For more info see www.citadelgoesviral.com