By Judith Tonner
Copyright dailyrecord
A South Lanarkshire theatre company triumphed for a second consecutive year at the Scots Language Awards. Braw Clan, based in Biggar, won the stage production of the year awards for their show So Long Wee Moon at the seventh annual celebration of Scotland’s indigenous language, held in Dundee. Written by the group’s creative producer Martin Travers, the play is set in Crawfordjohn a century ago and tells the story of Nancy Gibbs, who “runs barefoot to Abington station with her family’s rent money in her pocket” planning to change her life – adding: “Suddenly, in the front row at Hamilton picture house, Nancy dares to imagine a different future for herself and her beloved sister. She plots to get away. But her mother has secrets of her own and they’re gathering like wolves.” The play is being performed at Crawfordjohn, Biggar, Leadhills, Wiston, Crawford, Roberton and Symington this month, and the script is being published by Bloomsbury to coincide with the latest performances. Martin said: “Having my work published by Bloomsbury is a genuine thrill, and it means that Braw Clan’s Scots language productions can be read all over Scotland and beyond.” Braw Clan makes and performs “new Scots language plays for rural audiences in Clydesdale and southern Scotland, [bringing] powerful stories and world-class performers to your village hall”. The award was the Biggar group’s second in succession at the Scots Language Awards – honouring “outstanding contributions to the Scots leid in everyday life” – after they also won last year’s community project category. Braw Clan were among 13 winners at the awards, run by Hands Up For Trad to “highlight the importance of the language to Scottish national identity, the education of young people and its contribution to the health of Scotland’s cultural scene”. The ceremony was hosted by Scots scriever Taylor Dyson and folk singer Lynne Campbell, and featured performances from award winner Ellie Beaton, poet Hamish MacDonald and vocalist Amy Leach. Awards host Taylor said: “Oor Scots Leid Awards winners are truly the pride o Scotland. Each one o them has played a vital role in maken sure the Scots leid is uised, taucht, shairt an luved in awkin o weys, an it is wunnerfu tae be able tae gie recognition tae that. “Scots is a leid tae be cherishit, sae big congratulations tae aw oor winners an nominees for their role in that. The strength o the field shows us that Scots is in a positive place, and has a very bright future indeed.” * Don’t miss the latest he adlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!
