We are pleased to announce When The Sun Meets The Sky, a new audio play developed in partnership with Capital Theatre, aimed at people with a lived experience of dementia and older people experiencing isolation and sensory deprivation.
Set in iconic Edinburgh locations - from summertime in the Meadows after the war, to a Beatles gig in the ABC on Lothian Road, Christmastime on the Mound in the 80s and ending up in the Port O’Leith after the turn of the millennium, When The Sun Meets The Skytracks Maggie through the decades as she discovers herself, her city and tries to get to the bottom of a mystery that’s eluded her since childhood.
Delivered to care homes in and around Edinburgh and to individuals who are living in the community, When The Sun Meets The Sky is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Acast for everyone to enjoy. You can listen to the full play now, or enjoy it in shorter segments, released weekly. Listen to episode one now.
Led by Jack Nurse, Artist in Residence (Creative Development) and Robbie Gordon, Creative Development Producer, the play was developed in close collaboration with Creative Contributors – people living with dementia, their family and friends, carers and ex-carers. Creative Contributors were instrumental not only in developing the script for the play by sharing their personal stories but also informed casting, contributed artwork and had cameo roles in the play.
The cast of When the Sun Meets the Sky includes popular stage and tv actor Irene Allan, known for her roles in Taggart and Doctors - Maureen Beattie, Mason Clarke-Whale, a second-year BA Acting student at RCS, RiverCity and Taggart-regular Tam Dean Burn, playwright and actor Robbie Gordon, actor, musician and singer Rebekah Lumsden and Rehanna Macdonald, known for her work with Richard Burton Company and Stellar Quines, among others.
Linda Crooks, Traverse Theatre Executive Producer said:
“We are delighted to have partnered with Capital Theatres on this project that speaks powerfully to our commitment of finding creative and meaningful ways for our artists to engage with our audiences and our city with work that seeks to bring communities together during these isolating times.
COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on those living with dementia, their carers, family and friends. Created for and with people living with dementia in Edinburgh, we hope that When The Sun Meets The Sky will offer listeners those much needed moments of connection, while also sharing a beautiful story that's very much rooted in our city."
When The Sun Meet The Sky was funded by Creative Scotland Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund and D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Image by Joyce Miller a resident at Elms Nursing Home, produced with help from activity coordinator Kathryn Bailey.