Murder most foul at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig!
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI is to stage the first ever murder mystery weekend in Gaelic as part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations. Taking place on the 5-6 April this year, and as part of the Gaelic college’s Short Courses’ programme, guests are being invited to the ‘wedding of the year’ at the college – a wedding where joy is set to turn to horror as a murder mystery unfolds.
The event, ‘That Wedding was Murder!’, will include two fun-filled days in Gaelic with a wedding as the central theme, and which will include drama, song, wit, entertainment and a couple of shocks along the way. There will be a small cast of budding actors and some well known faces participating in proceedings, however, it will be up to the wedding guests to observe and work out ‘whodunit?’
Commenting on what was in store for people attending the event, Short Courses Manager Alasdair MacKay said: “We wanted to try something completely different from the norm, and we’re sure that this event is really going to appeal to people. What could be better than being wined and dined at the ‘wedding of the year’! As events unfold, guests will be able to enjoy the drama and mystery of the weekend and will be witness to a murder. Nothing like this has been done in Gaelic before, and the team of actors and writers we have assembled ensures that people are in for a real treat. We can’t give too much away at the moment, but I can say that there will be one or two very well-known faces from Gaelic entertainment taking part.”
The weekend will begin on Friday (5 April) night at 6.30pm with a welcome and registration where guests will find out how the event is going to work and they will be given the chance to meet with other guests before dinner. Dinner will be served at 7pm followed by the Stag and Hen nights. Then on Saturday guests will attend the wedding ceremony and the night-time buffet and wedding cèilidh, where all will be revealed in a dramatic climax!
Arthur Donald, the College’s Drama Artist in Residence and who has been involved in organising the event, commented: “I can’t wait and am really excited about the weekend! This is the first time we’ve ever held a murder mystery weekend in Gaelic. It will be a great opportunity full of fun, laughter and high jinks in an informal Gaelic atmosphere.”
The weekend is suitable for both Gaelic learners and fluent speakers, as learners and beginners will be given the chance to take part in and to gain an understanding of what is happening as the event progresses. However, the more Gaelic people have, the better they will enjoy the two days as they will be able to more fully participate in the drama as it unfolds. No drama skills are required, however, anyone wishing to take a small part in the performances can contact the Short Courses beforehand. Also although not a requirement, people are encouraged to dress for the wedding to add to the atmosphere.
The weekend costs £95 for people who require accommodation at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and £45 for those who do not. More information about the weekend can be found under Short Courses at: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gd/cursaichean/cursaichean-goirid/murt-aig-a-bhanais.