Between the Mountains and the Sea

A new folktale for Moray

Between the Mountains and the Sea is an ambitious project, co-creating a large scale outdoor visual theatre production of a brand new folktale in partnership with Moray communities alongside professional local and international artists, cultural organisations and theatre makers.

Imagine walls of choral sound, magnificent sculptural costumes, illuminated cavalcades of storytellers, fiery effigies and quiet exchanges of words of hope for the future.

This exciting project has successfully seen two chapters come to life, with more to come...

Storyteller outdoors in a wooded setting

Chapter One - The Longest Day (April-June 2024)

Projects as ambitious as this don't happen quickly! It will take place over two years in three phases, or 'chapters' as we're calling them.

Funded by UK Shared Prosperity Arts and Culture Fund and Creative Scotland's Open Fund, Chapter One saw creative sessions with communities across Moray uncover characters and themes for the new folktale.

The story, The Tale of Ailis & Morag, set in the Moray landscape, tells the epic and fantastical tale of how, by bringing communities together, we can create something beautiful and extraordinary.

This chapter culminated in an informal sharing event at Fiddich Park in Craigellachie at the summer solstice on Fri 21 June with food, story, song and artwork created with the community.

Images: Paul Heartfield

Chapter Two - The Longest Night (August '24 - February '25)

The Tale of Ailis & Morag came to life with three magical performances at Lossiemouth Town Hall on 7th and 8th February 2025. Featuring live music, puppetry, and a joyous winter gathering, the event was a true celebration of community storytelling.

Over 100 participants of all ages contributed as puppeteers, choir members, musicians, and makers, bringing incredible energy and creativity. Huge thanks to our audiences, supporters, and creative team, including:

Heather Fulton (Frozen Charlotte), Alex Podger, Adam Csenki, Claire Macdonald, Caitlin Strongarm, Ruth Kent (Dance North Scotland), and Kate Mackay.

Images by Alexander Williamson

"The whole process was a joy to be involved with and great relationships were built. The final shindig was a beautiful evening of celebration and certainly met the brief of building community and fostering community wellbeing."

"What a wonderful creative collaboration. Rich story telling, beautiful puppetry, music and singing. The set up and transformation of the space, yummy healthy plentiful food and cakes for after, and a fun funky DJ set. This is what Saturday evenings should always look like in these big under used community spaces."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

Artist

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

"What a wonderful creative collaboration. Rich story telling, beautiful puppetry, music and singing. The set up and transformation of the space, yummy healthy plentiful food and cakes for after, and a fun funky DJ set. This is what Saturday evenings should always look like in these big under used community spaces."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

Participant

"What a wonderful creative collaboration. Rich story telling, beautiful puppetry, music and singing. The set up and transformation of the space, yummy healthy plentiful food and cakes for after, and a fun funky DJ set. This is what Saturday evenings should always look like in these big under used community spaces."

Audience member

And Chapter Three?

Chapter Three - Equilibrium

The ambition for Chapter Three would be the development of the piece into a full large-scale community production, bringing together a large multi-generational community cast, professional artists and massed community choirs to create a spectacular outdoor performance.

We are currently seeking funding/sponsorship for Chapter Three.

With thanks to National Theatre Scotland and Eden Court for supporting the research and development phase of this project through the NTS Discover (Highland) Residency.

Between the Mountains and the Sea

A new folktale for Moray

Chapter One - The Longest Day (April-June 2024)

See what we got up to at the Chapter One Celebration Event

Chapter Two - The Longest Night (August '24 - February '25)

"The whole process was a joy to be involved with and great relationships were built. The final shindig was a beautiful evening of celebration and certainly met the brief of building community and fostering community wellbeing."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

And Chapter Three?

Our Partners

Our Funders

Between the Mountains and the Sea

A new folktale for Moray

Chapter One - The Longest Day (April-June 2024)

See what we got up to at the Chapter One Celebration Event

Chapter Two - The Longest Night (August '24 - February '25)

"The whole process was a joy to be involved with and great relationships were built. The final shindig was a beautiful evening of celebration and certainly met the brief of building community and fostering community wellbeing."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

" Being involved in this production was extremely rewarding, uplifting and connecting. Being part of such a beautiful and creative event helped me to reconnect with all that inspires me - art, music and other people of all ages coming together and creating something that heals and benefits us all."

And Chapter Three?

Our Partners

Our Funders

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