“Celebrating Simon” – Oidhche Chuimhneachaidh Sìm MhicCoinnich

Air 24 Dàmhair 2008, coinnichidh caraidean, teaghlach is co-obraichean Shìm MhicCoinnich nach maireann ann an Eden Court airson beatha is obair a’ chleasaiche a chomharrachadh. Tha Pròiseact nan Ealan agus Lìonraidh Theatre na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean air an fheasgar a chur air dòigh.  Bheir e cothrom dha daoine, chan e a-mhàin Sìm a chuimhneachadh, ach a bheatha, a thàinig gu ceann cho ana-abaich na bu tràithe sa bhliadhna, a chomharrachadh. 

Tha “Celebrating Simon” fosgailte dha na h-uile agus tha luchd-ciùil is luchd-cleasachd ainmeil gu bhith ann, a’ gabhail a-steach Jenna Chuimeanach, Davy Walker, Rona Lightfoot agus Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul. Ach chan e a-mhàin cèilidh a bhios anns an tachartas – tha e a’ comharrachadh toiseach dìleab Shìm, Urras Shìm MhicCoinnich. 

Air a bhreith is air àrach sna Hearadh, bha iomadh dreuchd shoirbheachail aig Sìm mar chleasaiche, chraoladair, sheinneadair agus dhràmadaiche. Tha e ainmeil airson obair dràma leis an Young Vic Theatre Company, 7:84 agus Dràma na h-Alba agus airson obair telebhisein, a’ gabhail a-steach a dhreuchd mar ceannard colaiste san t-siabann Ghàidhlig, Machair. Sna bliadhnaichean mu dheireadh rinn e ainm dha fhèin mar Stiùiriche Tosg, a’ Chompanaidh Nàiseanta Ghàidhlig. B’ e Hiort: Opara Eòrpach an taisbeanadh mu dheireadh aige far an robh e an sàs airson còrr air ceithir bliadhna, ro na taisbeanaidhean deireannach san Ògmhios  2007.

Mar chleasaiche, sgeulaiche agus MC bha Sìm iomraiteach, ach bidh cuimhne air airson barrachd na a thaisbeanaidhean fhèin. Bha an obair a rinn e agus an taic a thug e dha dràma òigridh cudromach dha-rìribh agus chuir e bliadhnaichean seachad a’ dol mu chuairt sgoiltean ann an Alba is ann an Èirinn agus ag obair le daoine òga tro dhràma Ghàidhlig ann an Tosg, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, agus am Mòd am measg pròiseactan eile. Ann an 1989, thàinig Sìm gu bhith na Stiùiriche air Òrdag Sgealbag, a’ chiad chompanaidh theatre ann am foghlam, a chaidh a chruthachadh le Pròiseact nan Ealan. A-rithist le Pròiseact nan Ealan, bha Sìm a’ stiùireadh na sgoil-shamhraidh Ghàidhlig, Dràma na h-Oigridh, eadar 1990 agus 1997.

Thèid Urras Shìm MhicCoinnich a stèidheachadh mar urram dhan obair a rinn e agus airson leantainn leis. Bheir e taic dha miannan ealanta dhaoine òga le Gàidhlig agus cuidichidh e le bhith a’ leasachadh am misneachd agus an sgilean. Tha “Celebrating Simon” ag amas air maoin a thional dha Urras Shìm MhicCoinnich agus tha luchd-eagrachaidh gu mòr an comain luchd-ealain a tha a’ taisbeanadh an tàlantan saor ‘s an-asgaidh. Tha taic ionmhasail bho Pròiseact nan Ealan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, MG ALBA, Comunn na Gàidhlig, An Comunn Gàidhealach, An Eaglais Easbuigeach, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, agus Lìonraidh Theatre na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean ga dhèanamh comasach a’ chuirm seo a chur air adhart.

Gabhaidh Celebrating Simon àite air 24 Dàmhair, 7:30f ann an  Eden Court. Gheibhear tiogaidean bho Oifis Thiogaidean Eden Court air 01463 234 234 agus cosgaidh iad £20 (thèid prìs nan tiogaidean a chur gu Urras Shìm MhicCoinnich.) Faodar tabhartasan a chur gu:  Urras Shìm MhicCoinnich, Banca Rìoghail na h-Alba, Stockbridge, Dùn Èideann Àireamh cunntais : 00238392,Còd Seòrsachaidh: 832002

“Celebrating Simon” – Simon Mackenzie Memorial Night

On the 24th October 2008, friends, family and colleagues of the late Simon Mackenzie will gather in Eden Court to honour the actor’s life and work. An evening of entertainment has been arranged by Pròiseact nan Ealan and Highlands and Islands Theatre Network which will give people a chance not only to remember Simon, but to celebrate his life, which ended so untimely earlier this year.

“Celebrating Simon” is open to all and features an impressive line up including Jenna Cummings, Christine Primrose, Arthur Cormack, Ishbel MacAskill, Alyth MacCormack, Carina Macleod, Davy Walker, Rona Lightfoot and Angus Peter Campbell.  But the event is more than just a ceilidh - it marks the beginning of Simon’s legacy, the Simon Mackenzie Trust.

Born and bred in Harris, Simon went on to have a successful and varied career as an actor, broadcaster, singer, and playwright.  He is known for his theatre work with the Young Vic Theatre Company, 7:84 and Drama na h-Alba and for his television appearances including his role as college principal in the Gaelic soap Machair. In recent years he made his mark as Director of Tosg, the national Gaelic Theatre Company. His final showcase was St Kilda: A European Opera, which he had been involved in for over four years, before the final performances in June 2007.

As an actor, storyteller and MC Simon was legendary, but he will be remembered for more than his own performances. Simon’s involvement in, and support for, youth theatre was of huge importance and he spent years touring schools in Scotland and Ireland, and working with young people through Gaelic drama with Tosg, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, and the Mod amongst other projects. In 1989, Simon became Director of Ordag Sgeulbag, the first Gaelic theatre-in-education company, created by Pròiseact nan Ealan. Again with Pròiseact nan Ealan, Simon went on to direct the Gaelic summer school Drama na h-Oigridh, between 1990 and 1997.

The Simon Mackenzie Trust will be set up to honour and continue this work. It will support the artistic ambitions of talented young Gaelic speakers and help develop their confidence and skills.  “Celebrating Simon” aims to raise funds for the Simon Mackenzie Trust, and organisers are indebted to artistes who are paying without fee. The evening is able to go ahead with generous financial support from Pròiseact nan Ealan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, MG ALBA, Comunn na Gàidhlig, An Comunn Gàidhealach, Eaglais Easbuigeach, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Highlands and Islands Theatre Network.

Celebrating Simon will take place on 24th October, 7:30pm at Eden Court. Tickets are available from Eden Court Box Office on 01463 234 234 and cost £20 (the cost of the ticket will be donated to the Simon Mackenzie Trust).  Any donations can be made to: Simon Mackenzie Trust, Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh Stockbridge, Account number: 00238392, Sort Code: 832002

Highlands & Islands Producers' Fund 2008-09

HIPF Application Form 2008-09

HIPF Guidelines 2008-09

dna2007 Final Evaluation  Report

dna2007 Report and Appendices     (pdf 6.2 mb - opens in new window)

dna2007 Report only     (pdf 1mb - opens in new window)

dna2007 Appendices only     (pdf 5.2 mb - opens in new window)