14th Jun 2025 to 16th Jun 2025 | |
1pm 14th / 7pm on 16th / no show on 15th June | |
Craigentinny Community Centre 9 Loaning Road , Edinburgh East EH7 6JE |
|
£10 - £8 | |
Facebook information can be found here | |
Citadel Arts Group brings history alive with their unique brand of story telling.
Focussing on an often overlooked part of Edinburgh, in their new play, join young Rory and his Grandad Angus on a trip around EH7. Guided by the blind Saint Triduana, Rory explores some unusual people and colourful stories in his local area. He discovers the story behind the huge monument, the Craigentinny Marbles, how the famous illusionist Lafayette came to be buried in Piershill Cemetery and the determined balloonist James Tytler came down in Abbeyhill. A duel is fought; Lord Logan's corpse is exhumed to stand trial for treason and Rory shares his Granny's stories of working for Munrospun in the 1960s. Rory learns to love his heritage and we think our audiences will too!
There's a free performance at the Ripple, Restalrig Lochend Community Hub, 198 Restalrig Road South on 13th June at 1.30pm.
Booking Link for all shows: 07954 296568 or jamesellison@blueyonder.co.uk
More about EH7:
What do the blind saint Triduana, determined balloonist James Tytler, hot-headed duellist Captain Macrae, eccentric book collector ‘Measure’ Miller, the Logan Lord implicated in a plot to kill Kind James VI have in common with workers at the Munrospun knitwear factory and Edinburgh Crystal? The answer is - they all feature in Citadel Arts Group’s play EH7.
EH7, grew out of a People’s Postcode Lottery funded project which encouraged the arts group to explore this culturally somewhat neglected part of the city. Artistic Director Liz Hare writes, ‘We met some great people and discovered some surprising stories connected to significant local structures: the Craigentinny Marbles, Lochend Castle, Craigentinny House, Marionville House and most importantly, St Triduana’s Well.’ These stories are woven together in a play scripted by six members of the Citadel Arts Group Playwrights Workshop. Aged between 60-plus and 90, the writers meet in Leith Dockers Club and develop plays often based on Edinburgh heritage.
In EH7, Saint Triduana (Mairi Jayne Weir), a proto-feminist who sacrificed her lovely eyes rather than yield to Pictish Prince Nectan sought sanctuary in Restalrig. She guides local lad Rory(Magnus Byrne) as he researches Restalrig heritage for a school project. At first reluctant, Rory gets drawn in and becomes as fascinated by the stories he uncovers - as Citadel hopes their audiences will do.
The arts group tried out the emerging script in February. Their local audience were members of the lunch club at the Ripple, the Restalrig Lochend Community Hub at the heart of the project. Ripple director Todd Bioletti writes: ‘It has been really great to be partnered with Citadel Arts Group to take part in the EH7 play project. It has been a great way to connect with our community members and bring to life the stories and experiences of the local area. Have now seen the read-through and everyone is really looking forward to the full interpretation in June. Our groups very much enjoy the performances put on by Citadel Arts Group.’
Audience feedback at the Ripple was very positive and has been used in redrafting the play. On their post-show feedback forms, they told the arts group, ’I learned a lot about local history that was previously unknown. . . stories told with humour and energy. . . thoroughly enjoyed hearing all the things that happened in my area . . . entertaining, informative, vividly written and well - acted . . .loved the Scots.’
EH7 features Citadel regulars, Ashley Barlow, Jim Bryce, Gregor Davidson, Leo McNeill, Mairi Jayne Weir, Deborah Whyte, and local boy, Magnus Byrne.
Magnus attended Abbeyhill Primary School where Citadel Arts Group are artists-in-residence. He writes, ‘As an actor, and current student at Edinburgh College's Performing Arts Studio Scotland, the opportunity to work on the EH7 Play has provided me with a highly important progression point for my studies and career. It has enabled me to work alongside seasoned professionals in the Scottish theatre industry, allowing me to gain practical experience, and to grow as a performer. The play also has a strong appeal to me, as I've lived in the EH7 postcode my entire life but am still learning many interesting elements of my own local history.’
Playwrights: San Cassimally, Bill Haddow, John Lamb, Rhona McAdam, Alan Mountford and Hilary Spiers.
The play is directed by another EH7 resident, Mark Kydd; sound by Roddy Simpson, costumes by Susan Chaney, Stage Manager Maggie Brown and props by Stewart Emm, Creative Producer: Liz Hare.
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