Fiona Kennedy’s exciting new music production, The Kist, comes to Glasgow’s Oran Mor this summer

The Kist is Fiona Kennedy’s live stage production and is coming to Glasgow’s Oran Mor from 26 -29th July and 2- 5th August this summer. A musical celebration of our heritage through song and story, The Kist embraces all genres, from ancient tribal Gaelic to Paolo Nutini!

The Kist is a vibrant production, giving a platform to new and established outstanding talent. Joining Fiona Kennedy (Celtic Connections, BBC’s Record Breakers, West End Show Alfie, Highland Heartbeat) is an exceptional cast including George Drennan (Taggart, Lip Service, Rab C Nesbitt), James Muldoon, Rachel Oates and Ruairidh McDonald. The Kist is directed by award winning actor, writer and director John Bett (Rab C Nesbitt, The Golden Compass, Rebus, Para Handy, Enquirer).

The production is a rich mix of the Kist called Scotland: how the Scots travelled to the four corners of the earth, what we took with us and what we left behind, but has not been forgotten.

Scotland’s proud musical heritage has been scattered throughout the world. Thousands of Scots have left these shores, whether this was for the promise of a new life, an escape from poverty, forced off their land or simply seeking adventure. They packed their most important and cherished belongings in their kists (chests) and set off on their journeys. The Kist aims to tell some of these stories from not only a Scottish but a worldwide perspective.

Fiona Kennedy said:I’m thrilled to be bringing The Kist to Oran Mor with such a fantastic and talented cast, following on from the success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year. The idea for The Kist came to me when I was visiting Ellis Island in New York, where there was an exhibition by the National Museum of Scotland showing a magnificent display of Scottish kists piled high, representing a hugely important part of our country’s history. People packed their most cherished possessions in these chests and took them with them to start their new lives. This image was so powerful I immediately went back to my hotel room and wrote the title song, which has developed into this production. It’s so exciting to be continuing the journey at Oran Mor in Glasgow.

David McLennan, Producer/Director at Oran Mor added:This is a wonderful show, tremendous music beautifully sung, imaginatively staged and a really engrossing evening in the theatre. Don’t miss it!

The cast includes a mix of established performers and some exciting up-and-coming new talent.

• Fiona Kennedy – The Kist is the brainchild of Fiona, whose career spans across TV, film, theatre, radio and production. Highlights include presenting BBC’s Record Breakers, London West End Production of Alfie, Celtic Connections, singing at the G8 Summit Launch, singing for Her Majesty the Queen at The Braemar Gathering and her 80th birthday celebrations at Balmoral Castle.
• George Drennan, an established actor who has featured in numerous theatre and TV productions including Taggart, Lip Service, Rab C Nesbitt, Para Handy.
• James Muldoon, theatre credits include: Footloose, Joseph, Children of Eden and Sunday In The Park With George. James also teaches with The Scottish School of Musical Theatre.
• Rachel Oates, a professional singer who recorded the Highland Heartbeat album and has recently had success with productions such as Billy Elliot Gala, Victoria Palace London, and Caledonia High – The Musical.
• Ruairidh McDonald, born in 1999 Ruairidh started tap and ballet lessons at age 3, has played the part of Michael in Eden Court Pantomime Production Peter Pan and now attends Stagecoach Inverness. He was invited to join the cast of Highland Heartbeat following a music workshop with Fiona and her musical director.