o is for hoolet
by Ishbel McFarlane
Language is personal. Nothing gets closer to our hearts. And yet, by its own nature, it's always social. Who owns it? Who appoints it? Who governs it? And why? In this one-woman show about the Scots language, Ishbel McFarlane presents collected fragments - stories, interviews, memories, characters and attitudes - to challenge and disrupt our expectations and prejudices about language. By interrogating the history of Scots, and the ways in which it is taught and subdued, the audience is invited to question the way forward for minority languages.
Winner of The Arches Platform 18: New Directors Award 2014.
For more information on Ishbel McFarlane’s work visit: www.ishbelmcfarlane.wordpress.com
PRESS
A witty, intelligent, and interesting discussion on the subject of language’ ★★★★★ Darrow
‘A passionate call to arms for the study and preservation of minority languages.' ★★★★ The Times
‘McFarlane is engaging as herself and as the linguists, philosophers and writers she embodies.’ ★★★★ The Skinny
‘An engaging, heart-warming piece which is a lovingly made look at language as a living, pulsating, external thing as natural as breathing.’ ★★★★ The List
‘Heartwarming and cerebral, ‘Hoolet’ is a triumph of both style and content.’ Kirkintilloch Herald
‘A gorgeous, thinky, clever hour’ Kirstin Innes (Author of Fishnet & Scabby Queen)
credits
Writer and performer: Ishbel McFarlane
Dramaturgy: Vanessa Coffey
Design: Lisa Sangster
Production Manager: Sara Wilson
Producers: Feral (Jill Smith and Kathryn Boyle)
TOUR HISTORY
O is for Hoolet toured across 2016 and 2017 to the following venues and festivals: The Scottish Storytelling Centre (Edinburgh Fringe), Platform (Easterhouse), An Cridhe (Isle of Coll), Mac Arts Centre (Galashiels), Eyemouth Hippodrome, Kinross Parish Church (Kinross), The Lemon Tree (Aberdeen), McPhail Centre (Ullapool), Mill Theatre (Thurso), Drouthy Cobblers (Elgin), The Gaiety (Ayr), Tynron Village Hall (Monaive), Swallow Theatre (Whithorn), Solas Festival (Perthshire), Columbafest (Glasgow) and Tartan Heart Festival (Belladrum).
Supported by Creative Scotland, North East Arts Touring and DG Live.
